Bechdel Test Movie List

Okay, so this is in no way a feminist movie, but it is true that the main female characters spend a significant amount of time talking about careers in show business (as dancers), and ruthlessly combating for the spotlight. Some of their rivalry centers around the attentions of the man who controls the spotlight, but much of it is pure ambition.

This film is the perfect example of why passing the Bechdel test is not measure of feminism. Female characters have by far the most screen time and dialogue, but that dialogue is an male writer's completely ridiculous idea of how women talk and act amongst themselves.

I don't think it's a dubious pass. The named, female characters definitely talk about things other than men.

The "dubious" aspect of it is that it's not a feminist film for several reasons, but that has no bearing on the dubiousness of the application of the test.

I disagree because it's not dubious at all that it passes the three criteria. 1- Cristal talks with Nomi about how she got her first leading role and admits that having too much ambitious is unavoidable.
2- Nomi's understudy - I can't remember now her name - and Nomi talk about the former's role in the chorus.
3- Molly, the seamstress, pushes Nomi to be ambitious, and to go to the casting for the chorus line at the casino where she works. She will defend Nomi when Cristal appears and suggests that she dances like a whore.
4- Molly and Nomi argue about the ethics of pushing somebody down the stairs to get her job.
5- The first day at Nomi's chorus line job, several female dancers make remarks about the stressing job, the difficulty of being a mother - there are some children messing around - and how it all ends with age.

I've removed the dubious flag.

Showgirls, regrettably, does pass the bechdel test.

I think this movie is an incredible piece of feminist literature and I would love to discuss this further with someone.