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The Natural History of Parking Lots (1990)

Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Leans Progressive
Viewer Rating
Rating: 4.7
The Natural History of Parking Lots poster

Overview

When a high school senior, Chris, gets in trouble with the West L.A. police for joy riding in stolen cars, his wealthy but neglectful dad hires Chris's older brother Lance to spend time with him and keep him out of trouble. Lance is in the underworld, running guns, so caring for Chris starts out as a good cover. Then, he warms to his brother, and the two develop a strong bond; Chris gets serious about school and starts to come out of his shell. But, will the relationship be strong enough to weather pressures from Lance's business, Chris's discovery that dad is paying Lance for the care, and Lance's enjoyment of female companionship?


Starring Cast

Bias Dimensions

Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
LGBTQ: Positive
Trans: Positive

Overview

When a high school senior, Chris, gets in trouble with the West L.A. police for joy riding in stolen cars, his wealthy but neglectful dad hires Chris's older brother Lance to spend time with him and keep him out of trouble. Lance is in the underworld, running guns, so caring for Chris starts out as a good cover. Then, he warms to his brother, and the two develop a strong bond; Chris gets serious about school and starts to come out of his shell. But, will the relationship be strong enough to weather pressures from Lance's business, Chris's discovery that dad is paying Lance for the care, and Lance's enjoyment of female companionship?


Starring Cast

Detailed Bias Analysis

Analyzing...
Leans Progressive

Primary

The film's central focus on a young man's struggle with queer identity and self-discovery in an alienating urban environment aligns with progressive values of identity and social acceptance, making it left-leaning. Its narrative, while personal, inherently challenges traditional norms through the validation of a marginalized experience.

Based on the absence of specific details regarding the movie's casting, character diversity, narrative, or thematic content, this evaluation assumes a neutral position on its DEI characteristics. There is no information to indicate explicit DEI-driven casting or a narrative that explicitly critiques or promotes traditional identities.

Secondary

The film offers an affirming and empathetic portrayal of two young gay men navigating their relationship and lives. It depicts their struggles and intimacy with dignity and complexity, validating their queer identities and experiences without reducing them to stereotypes or sources of misery. Obstacles are framed as external, reinforcing the worth of their lives and love.

The Natural History of Parking Lots portrays Chris, a young transsexual woman, with dignity and complexity. The narrative empathetically explores her life, relationships, and the external challenges she encounters, avoiding stereotypes or sensationalism. The film's overall stance is respectful and affirming of her identity and experiences.

The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.

This film is an original production from 1990, and no prior source material, historical figures, or legacy characters are indicated. Therefore, there are no pre-established character genders to compare against the on-screen portrayals.

The Natural History of Parking Lots (1990) is an original film, not an adaptation of prior material, a biopic, or a reboot. Its characters do not have pre-established canonical or historical races, thus precluding a race swap.


Viewer Rating Breakdown

4.7

Viewer Rating

Combines user and critic ratings from four sources

User Ratings

IMDB logo
7.3
The Movie Database logo
2.0

Critic Ratings

Rotten Tomatoes logo
N/A
Metacritic logo
N/A

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