Bechdel Test Movie List

/bech·del test/ n.

1. It has to have at least two women in it

2. Who talk to each other

3. About something besides a man

The Little Mermaid (1989)

This movie passed 2 of 3 tests. It was entered by neil (webmaster) on 2010-01-23 23:28:14.

Reviews

Fathoms Below: Subversive Feminism in The Little Mermaid [riotgamer.org]
Something's Fishy: My Feminist Attempt to Justify The Little Mermaid [theaspectratio.net]
A Feminist Critique of Animation (v. 3: Brilliance) [animation.memory-motel.net]
Disney's dolls [newint.org]

Comments

neil (webmaster) said:

Ariel talks to Ursula, but the entire conversation is about her becoming human so she can get the prince.

Message posted on 2010-01-23 23:28:14

Renee said:

Too bad they couldn't include Ariel wanting an eternal soul, as in the HCA version.

Message posted on 2010-07-04 03:19:00

Natalie disagreed with the rating and said:

Prince Eric's maid, Carlotta, talks to Ariel about having been washed up from a ship wreck. I know that, at this point, Ariel has no voice, but she is expressive during the scene. A few minutes later Carlotta escorts Ariel into the dining room and tells her "Don't be shy." Ariel seems to respond in body language.

Message posted on 2010-07-27 14:53:11

Chris disagreed with the rating and said:

"Ariel talks to Ursula, but the entire conversation is about her becoming human so she can get the prince."

Sure, ignore one of the principle songs of the movie which discuss her motivations for becoming human.

I suppose the reasoning here is that she forgets all those other motivations once she falls in love?

Message posted on 2011-08-16 14:22:02

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