Bechdel Test Movie List

/bech·del test/ n.
1. It has to have at least two [named] women in it
2. Who talk to each other
3. About something besides a man

[[3]] American Psycho (2000) [imdb]

This movie passed 3 of 3 tests. It was entered by neil on 2008-07-22 00:00:00.

Reviews

Comments

Skipskatte said:
Actually, this one passes all three tests, though just barely. There is a brief conversation between "Christie" the prostitute and Patrick's friend ("Elizabeth", who was played by the co-writer, Guinevere Turner). Elizabeth asks where Christie went to school and where she spends her summers. It's not much of a conversation, as Christie barely responds, but it does, surprisingly, pass all three tests.
Message posted on 2010-11-16 22:14:46
ot said:
Skipskatte: you're wrong. Watch the film again.

In the scene you mention, one of the female characters (a sex-worker), doesn't sctually reply or respond in any way to the other characters' question.

She DOES NOT TALK, and therefore they do not talk to eachother.

By that rationale, it actually FAILS AT THE FIRST HURDLE!
Message posted on 2010-12-31 20:09:09
Tater said:
ot, you're wrong.
Christie does say sort of to the both of them: ''Where did you two meet?'' and Elizabeth answers her. And then a bit later Elizabeth asks Christie something like: ''Where do you summer?'' (That's what I hear anyway) and Christie answers: ''No.''
I know it's not much it still barely passes the test.
Message posted on 2012-03-25 18:25:40
Kristina said:
Actually ot is right. I just watched the film and it does not pass the test by a long shot. There is no point in the film where two female characters speak to each other at all.
Message posted on 2012-12-25 11:29:40
D said:
From the script:

ELIZABETH
Where do you summer? Southampton?

Christie looks at Bateman and then back at Elizabeth.

CHRISTIE
No.
Message posted on 2013-11-07 15:28:28
a said:
How about this? We don't even know "Christie's" real name. That is the name Patrick gives her. You could therefore call her a nameless character and say her conversations (if "no" even is one) don't count. I say the movie passes 1 of out 3.
Message posted on 2014-08-16 19:52:16
Pat B said:
Who cares? The film's cinematography and narrative are outstanding. So is Bale's acting, he perfectly portrays the guised psychopath described in the script.
Message posted on 2015-05-06 20:54:27
dalmationham said:
I'm not sure if I disagree. Whether it passes or not, Mary Harron (the actress playing Elizabeth in the scene above) is the director, which makes this film pivotal and unique, in light of the Bechdel controversy. I may watch it again just to tell. That Christie is not the character's real name is important, but also touchy. There are many movies which don't use characters real names throughout...
Message posted on 2015-05-19 02:57:05
Luke said:
It clearly passes. Christie and Elizabeth have a conversation about vacationing. Even if Christie isn’t her real name, she’s still a named character.
Message posted on 2020-05-05 23:11:52
smiley said:
There is clearly dialog between women and it isn't about a man. Why hasn't this been changed yet?

Yes, it barely passes. The whole point of the Bechdel test is precisely that *it is easy to pass*.
Message posted on 2020-10-29 10:17:32
neil (webmaster) said:
I've updated the rating from 1/3 to 3/3.
Message posted on 2020-12-09 08:04:06
A said:
It would make sense if the movie didn’t pass the test, because the movie is a critique about objectification of women and how normal and absurd it is.
Message posted on 2021-02-06 21:00:29
D disagreed with the rating and said:
I think it passes on two out of three. Patrick Bateman forces the name Christie on to her as a means to enforce power over her. If she personally used Christie as a nickname without being forced to do so by Bateman I think 3/3 would be appropriate but that’s not the case.
Message posted on 2021-04-07 14:03:31

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