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The Watermelon Woman

1997·Movie
1h 25min
74
GoodGoodWatch score

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The Watermelon Woman fingerprint

Big heart, immersive world, low-key.

Energy

Calm and low-key

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Fast Pace4
  • Tension3
  • Spectacle3

Heart

Hopeful and nostalgic

Much of it is about growing up.

  • Coming of Age9
  • Hopefulness8
  • Nostalgia8

Humor

Some satire and sharp wit

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Satire & Parody6
  • Wit & Wordplay5
  • Cringe Humor4

World

Everyday modern life, growing up, and society

  • Dialogue Centrality8
  • World Immersion7
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout performances, dialogue, and characters

  • Acting8
  • Dialogue Quality8
  • Character Depth8

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensComfort WatchDrop-in FriendlyPure EscapismThought-Provoking

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

Sometimes you have to create your own history.

A young black lesbian filmmaker probes into the life of The Watermelon Woman, a 1930s black actress who played 'mammy' archetypes.
Indie CinemaLGBTQ+ FilmHistorical FictionMeta-Narrative ExplorationIdentity and RepresentationBlack Lesbian FilmmakingNostalgic and SentimentalCharacter-Driven StorySocial Commentary

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The Watermelon Woman

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Watermelon Woman legally?

You can watch it free with ads on Kanopy. You can also rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Watermelon Woman worth watching?

74
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 74/100 (IMDb 7.1, Rotten Tomatoes 92%, and Metacritic 74). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Watermelon Woman rated?

Sexual contentStrong language

Content advisories: sexual content and strong language.

How long is The Watermelon Woman?

1 h 25 min

The Watermelon Woman runs 1 h 25 min.

Is The Watermelon Woman based on a true story?

Yes. It's based on real events or a real person's life.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Watermelon Woman?

Critics83
Audiences64

Not quite. Critics rate The Watermelon Woman higher (83) than audiences (64). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

What language is The Watermelon Woman in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch The Watermelon Woman?

134ADAEAGALAOARATAUBABBBEBFBGBH+120

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Watermelon Woman in 134 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Watermelon Woman use?

Based on a Great Big LieBittersweet EndingBlack Is Bigger in BedButch LesbianCasting GagFun with AcronymsNo EndingTook the Bad Film SeriouslyHollywood Tone-DeafForeshadowingWhere da White Women At?

TV Tropes lists 11 storytelling tropes for The Watermelon Woman, including Based on a Great Big Lie, Bittersweet Ending, Black Is Bigger in Bed.