A startling depiction of domestic violence billed as a romance movie.
Regan Humphrey
Sultry, independent Carmen Jones (Dorothy Dandridge) is the talk of her small North Carolina town when she meets Joe (Harry Belafonte), an upstanding corporal with an innocent bride-to-be. Carmen is the sort to love a man and leave him–especially when he turns possessive. When Carmen starts to pull away from Joe, his affection for her turns to abuse.
REF SCORE: 33%
Soundtrack: 80%
Story: 100%
Writing: 100%
Diversity: 70%
Daring: 100%
Racism: PERVASIVE — 90%
Sexism: PERVASIVE — 100%
Homophobia: ABSENT — 0%
SUMMARY
This film represents a bold step for the filmmakers of its day—while also conforming to gender-specific and racial stereotypes (the violent, reactive, dangerous black man, the promiscuous tramp) that continue to plague our country today.
ref score 