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Bechdel Test Thread

330 replies

TrilllianAstra · 22/06/2011 20:52

I thought having a thread for "I just watched this and it passed/failed and I thought..." would be good to encourage me to think of the Bechdel test when watching TV/films or reading books. I wonbe watching/reading anything on purpose for the thread, just thought I would apply it to whatever I happened to be watching or reading.

The test doesn't necessarily say that a film is feminist/antifeminist, but it is interesting.

Rules reminder:
Are there at least two women (some versions say "two women with names")
Who have a conversation
About something other than a man?

Feel free to join in :)

OP posts:
EduStudent · 12/01/2012 22:11

Just found this, marking my place to remind me to post.

In a similar vein, I'm writing an essay currently about gender bias in children's books. Actually, off to read about the Bechdel test to see if it's referanceable...

WidowWadman · 13/01/2012 10:53

Trills "You can tell by how she chooses to have sex with both males and females. And the sex (with him, at least) was entirely on her terms."

As imagined by the male author of the book - of course the 22 yo token bisexual goth must decide to shag the twice her age not remotely interesting guy. It didn't make sense, and I really don't get why Lisbeth Salander is seen by so many as some kind of super duper feminist hero, I think she's quite the opposite.

Mind I've only seen the american movie, which thorougly turned my stomach, because the book bored me too much to go on past the first 80 or so pages,

OnlyANinja · 13/01/2012 11:09

She's a fictional character, so yes her sexuality is decided by the author. That's how it works.

I didn't particularly think that there was any good reason for them to have sex, but it seems to be one of the constants of that universe (like gravity in ours) that all women want Blomkvist.

msrisotto · 15/01/2012 19:25

War Horse fails.

EduStudent · 16/01/2012 22:18

New Girl well and truly fails.

msrisotto · 17/01/2012 16:44

Yeah, it was quite funny though wasn't it?

Oneofthechildlessones · 17/01/2012 21:37

Never let me go

Are there at least two women = 3 main characters 2 are female
Who have a conversation = lots of conversations between a variety of women
About something other than a man? = about genetic engineering

EduStudent · 18/01/2012 11:32

Oh I do love New Girl. Most of the episodes failed the reverse test too, although the last one I watched (I think it was Episode 4) had two of the male characters discussing job prospects.

OnlyANinja · 19/01/2012 08:19

Conversations about genetic engineering? Sounds like the sort of thing I'd like to watch!

FrothyDragon · 21/01/2012 10:05

Now off to watch Tintin. On a scale of 1 - 10, how much do we think this is going to fail the Bechdel Test? 12?

EduStudent · 21/01/2012 10:45

Well, there was one lady. She was a fat, diva-ish opera singer.

There might have been a couple in the background... Maybe?

OnlyANinja · 21/01/2012 11:33

Miss Congeniality 2 passes (it was on last night)

Oneofthechildlessones · 21/01/2012 11:48

Watched case 39 last night and that passes.

OnlyANinja · 21/01/2012 11:49

One Day fails, I think.

Unless you count a parent telling a small child to go and get dressed a "conversation".

FrothyDragon · 21/01/2012 16:48

Edu, there were a couple, non speaking women in the audience when the Diva sang. SPECTACULAR fail on the Bechdel test.

Tintin: 0/3

MMMarmite · 10/02/2012 21:15

Saving Face - passed by miles.

It's about a chinese american lesbian and her mother, who are both struggling with the expectations of their family and community. A nice love story with plenty of humour.

The Social Network - failed I think.

I didn't expect much from this film, but actually quite enjoyed it. The misogyny in student culture is portrayed, and not exactly condemned but not shown as entirely unproblematic either.

OnlyANinja · 10/02/2012 21:53

You'll think that girls don't like you because you're a nerd. It's not true. Girls don't like you because you're an asshole.

MMMarmite · 10/02/2012 22:28

I loved that scene, OnlyANinja :)

Onesunnymorningin2012 · 13/02/2012 22:19

I watched Alien vs. Predator on Saturday night. It wasn't the best film I've ever seen, but the I was pleased that

  • Two women talk - about guns...
  • The last survivor is a strong woman, who had originally been leader of her team
blonderthanred · 24/02/2012 22:00

Drive is failing (surprise). Current scene is the first featuring more than one woman, fortunately all topless, dumb and motionless.

Pity, I was quite enjoying it.

Trills · 24/02/2012 22:08

Coupling is doing OK. Two women just had a conversation while one was pretending to be "Gisele the French bitch"

blonderthanred · 24/02/2012 22:33

I love Coupling. So does DH. Crying shame it never got recommissioned.

Trills · 24/02/2012 22:34

I didn't watch it properly at the time, currently having a massive catchup on NetFlix

ecclesvet · 24/02/2012 22:54

blonderthanred, that isn't the first scene with more than one woman. There's the scene where Carey Mulligan's friend comes over to babysit (no lines, though), as well as the party scene which has lots of men and women.

Also, you make it sound like because it fails the Bechdel test, it's completely ruined for you. That isn't what it tests.

Also also, you were enjoying it up to then? So you didn't mind Christina Hendricks being punched in the face then shot in the head, but some strippers ruined it? Confused

Bit touchy about Drive, it's one of my favourites Grin

blonderthanred · 24/02/2012 23:42

I was being slightly lighthearted, apologies for any offence caused.