Women haven’t always been given a fair shake in the movie industry. From acting to directing to producing, men have historically dominated the field. It’s about time that women are better represented. That’s where the Bechdel test comes into play.
Women in Film
The goal of the Bechdel Test is to look for gender equality in films. The test is far from perfect but if a movie cannot meet the standards of this simple test, then something is screwy.
To pass the test, a film needs to meet 3 criteria.
- It has at least 2 named women in it.
- These women have a conversation with each other.
- That topic is not about a man.
How hard can it really be to have two women with actual names talk about something other than a man? Apparently, harder than you think. Even popular movies with females in the leading role fail the Bechdel Test!
Surprising Movies That Fail the Bechdel Test
These movies star women as the leads but even so, they fail to pass the Bechdel test. That’s no way for women to gain traction in the industry!
These are some of the most famous movies starring women. Are you surprised to see them included here? Sure, Julia Roberts banters with Cameron Diaz in My Best Friend’s Wedding but all they can talk about is her “best friend”. Emma Stone sings with her roommates in La La Land but none of those roommates has a name. Ursula and Ariel in The Little Mermaid spend a whole lot of time talking, but it is always about trying to win over Prince Eric. Lada Gaga steals the show in every scene of A Star Is Born but the movie focuses on her partner’s career, not hers. When you look closer, these movies are not as female-centric as they first appear.
Surprisingly, some very “manly” movies like Anchorman: The Legend of on Burgundy, Die Hard, Goodfellas, and Snakes on a Plane get a pass!
Think about your favorite movies? Would they pass the Bechdel test?
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