Mendelson's Memos: The Bechdel Test - a test most films do not pass.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

The Bechdel Test - a test most films do not pass.

I've brought up 'the Bedchdel Rule' several times in the past, but this is an amusing look at just how many mainstream films fail what should be a pretty basic standard.

Scott Mendelson

5 comments:

Anonymous said...: so what? Her stupid little video didnt pass the test either. Now go shave.; May 26, 2010 at 9:22 PM
Razorgeist said...: ^^^Yeesh take your Ativan yet?

Thanks for the link Scott I just subbed her channel what a thoughtful video. It is rather sad that so many movies fail this test.; May 27, 2010 at 12:16 AM
Kyle Leaman said...: I'm surprised by it...and then I am not. I think everything the clip says is legit and needs to be addressed.

Still, it's shocking and it isnt.

The Dark Knight - is about a male superhero catching a male villain. The major female talking about 'men' isn't just talking about "Do I love him, does he love me?", she is discussing important elements of the story, that happen to be about men (Falcone, crime bosses, judges). It's not what it seems.

Shrek- again, this doesn't look at the point of said character or the context of the story. What is she supposed to talk about with Shrek and Donkey? It certainly isn't just, "Does Shrek love me, or doesn't he?"

Bourne Supremacy- It's essentially about guys kicking butt. Joan Allen's character is talking about 'men' because her goal is to catch the main character...a man. Again, this doesn't mean she is just talking about how men are her life and she needs them. She talks with Julia Stiles character about Bourne, but not in a romantic or fashion way, but in a plot way.

Wall E- Is basically a silent film!!! Isn't that kinda picking on a film?

Wanted- Again, the film is about a young boy who is the main character. Jolie is a supporting character. hmmmmm, I wonder who she is going to focus her thoughts on?

Shawshank Redemption- I'm shocked that a story set in a men's prison doesn't pass this test

Pulp Fiction- I guess it doesn't pass because two females have to be talking to each other and not with another male. I guess this overlooks the prominent speaking roles and the various subject matter that women in this film speak on. But because it doesn't pass this particular test, it gets thrown up there.

Like I said, it's a legit argument. However, given that most stories are centered on MALE central charactes and that SUPPORTING CHARACTERS tend to be responding to or talking about our CENTRAL characters make this in part a problem with storytelling efficiency?

Would a better question to ask be, "How come we don't have more films with women as the central character?" Thus omitting some variables that seem to give bias to this rule?; May 28, 2010 at 4:06 PM
Scott Mendelson said...: "Would a better question to ask be, "How come we don't have more films with women as the central character?" Thus omitting some variables that seem to give bias to this rule?"

I think that's the overriding theme of the Bechdel Test.; June 7, 2010 at 8:31 AM
Kyle Leaman said...: I'm surprised by it...and then I am not. I think everything the clip says is legit and needs to be addressed.

Still, it's shocking and it isnt.

The Dark Knight - is about a male superhero catching a male villain. The major female talking about 'men' isn't just talking about "Do I love him, does he love me?", she is discussing important elements of the story, that happen to be about men (Falcone, crime bosses, judges). It's not what it seems.

Shrek- again, this doesn't look at the point of said character or the context of the story. What is she supposed to talk about with Shrek and Donkey? It certainly isn't just, "Does Shrek love me, or doesn't he?"

Bourne Supremacy- It's essentially about guys kicking butt. Joan Allen's character is talking about 'men' because her goal is to catch the main character...a man. Again, this doesn't mean she is just talking about how men are her life and she needs them. She talks with Julia Stiles character about Bourne, but not in a romantic or fashion way, but in a plot way.

Wall E- Is basically a silent film!!! Isn't that kinda picking on a film?

Wanted- Again, the film is about a young boy who is the main character. Jolie is a supporting character. hmmmmm, I wonder who she is going to focus her thoughts on?

Shawshank Redemption- I'm shocked that a story set in a men's prison doesn't pass this test

Pulp Fiction- I guess it doesn't pass because two females have to be talking to each other and not with another male. I guess this overlooks the prominent speaking roles and the various subject matter that women in this film speak on. But because it doesn't pass this particular test, it gets thrown up there.

Like I said, it's a legit argument. However, given that most stories are centered on MALE central charactes and that SUPPORTING CHARACTERS tend to be responding to or talking about our CENTRAL characters make this in part a problem with storytelling efficiency?

Would a better question to ask be, "How come we don't have more films with women as the central character?" Thus omitting some variables that seem to give bias to this rule?; May 13, 2011 at 10:50 AM