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The Plastic Age

Name: The Plastic Age
Director: Wesley Ruggles
Released: 1925
Duration: 73 min

Representation Score

2.6/10

Limited

1925

Not Rated

Director

Wesley Ruggles

Runtime

73 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The Plastic Age captures a shifting social paradigm through cinema. Despite failing to represent LGBTQ+ individuals or people with disabilities, it successfully portrays the tension between Victorian morality and the emerging Jazz Age. The film’s strength lies in its challenge to traditional gender hierarchies by highlighting the social autonomy and independence of female characters. It also offers a humorous critique of rigid Victorian morality and strict institutional authority. However, the production remains limited by the era's racial homogeneity. The absence of diverse ethnic perspectives keeps the overall diversity score low, despite its progressive social themes.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Plastic Age have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not feature any identifiable LGBTQ+ characters or themes. The romantic storyline focuses solely on heterosexual relationships typical of the 1920s.

How does The Plastic Age portray gender?

Good

The movie highlights the 'New Woman' archetype, emphasizing the social autonomy of female characters. This portrayal challenges traditional, submissive roles in favor of modern independence.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Plastic Age?

Minimal

The cast and setting are predominantly homogeneous, reflecting the limited standards of 1925 Hollywood. The story does not incorporate diverse racial or ethnic perspectives.

How does The Plastic Age represent religion and culture?

Good

The film criticizes traditional institutional authority and parental decorum. It celebrates the social rebellion of youth and their pursuit of secular pleasures over conservative Victorian values.

Does The Plastic Age include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no characters with visible or invisible disabilities. The narrative does not focus on physical impairments or neurodivergence.

Present on Screen

Highlights the social autonomy and independence of female characters.
Provides a comedic critique of rigid Victorian morality and institutional authority.
Captures the cultural shift towards modern, self-directed femininity and youth-led social rebellion.

Limited or Absent

Does not include any representation of LGBTQ+ identities or themes.
Does not incorporate diverse racial or ethnic perspectives.
Does not provide visibility or focus on characters with disabilities or neurodivergence.

Official Synopsis

Hugh Carver is an athletic star and a freshman at Prescott College. He falls in love with Cynthia Day, a popular girl who loves to party, and finds that it's impossible to please her and still keep up with his studies and athletic training. Soon the two face some difficult decisions.

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