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 Beauty (1999) [imdb]

This movie passed 3 of 3 tests. It was entered by neil on 2008-07-25 16:32:50.

Reviews

Comments

Dreama said:
What conversation allows this film to pass? Every conversation between two women segues in and out from talking about a man/mentioning a man or is in the presence of a mentioned man.
Message posted on 2008-09-03 21:58:44
neil said:
When Carolyn slaps Jane ("You ungrateful little brad, look at everything you have"). It started with talking about the fight between her parents, but personally I wouldn't call the rest of that conversation as being about men.

Jane also talks very briefly with Carolyn about Angela (sleeping over).

As far as I can see though, all other conversations between women are about men.
Message posted on 2008-09-03 22:31:05
Dear said:
I don't think all other conversations are about men. Angela talks to Jane about how awful she thinks it is to be average. Also, a female high school student insults Angela about her modeling career.

Granted, these conversations are about the extent to which Angela and other female characters are "valuable" by severely patriarchal standards, but nonetheless, the conversations do not directly center around male characters, as far as I can recall.
Message posted on 2009-12-04 18:12:13
Wes said:
I believe it passes, but only because of the scene where Angela and Jane are smoking in the car.
When Angela is insulted on her modeling career, she had been talking about sleeping with a photographer so the conversation is about men, it's just sidetracked briefly. Then it immediately goes back to a conversation about men.
Message posted on 2013-07-18 05:49:05
Brooke said:
This film definitely passes, and the example I have to add isn't exactly thrilling,but, in the opening sequence, when Jane is walking out to the car (Carolyn is honking the horn, not wanting to be late for work), Carolyn says to Jane:
"Jane, honey, are you trying to look unattractive?"
Jane says: "Yes"
Carolyn: "Well, congratulations. You've succeeded admirably."
Message posted on 2018-02-21 02:03:14

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