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]] The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012) [imdb]

This movie passed 3 of 3 tests. It was entered by Hilding on 2013-02-05 08:32:56.

Reviews

Comments

Joshua said:
I think "Perks" passes the second and third tests, although barely.

1) At the first party, after the dance, Mary Elizabeth and Alice are talking to each other. We don't hear most of their conversation, but when Charlie comments on M.E.'s hair, Alice says "It's kinda true." and M.E. tells Alice to "shut up."
2) This doesn't count, since we hear the voice over of Charlie's narration, but we see Alice, M.E., and Sam talking to each other in their group. You can't really hear what they're saying because of the voice over, but you know they're talking about Rocky Horror, college, etc.
3) Several times the girls are talking to the whole group (e.g. Secret Santa).
4) At the second Rocky Horror showing, Sam and M.E. talk about Craig not showing up for the show. Granted, they're talking about a man, but the conversation (well, couple of lines) are about the show primarily.
5) Mary Elizabeth talks to Mrs. Kelmeckis when she goes to their house before the Sadie Hawkins Dance. That's iffy, since we don't know Charlie's mom's first name (she's listed as "Mother" in the credits); plus, M.E. is there for Charlie.
6) When Sam is leaving for school, we hear the girls saying how much they'll miss each other.

It's a close call, because most of those I listed a minor, but this movie has a lot of named female characters who interact with each other.
Message posted on 2013-03-02 18:39:45
Amelia said:
This should at least get a 2nd level (suit and tie) icon. Not all the conversations the girls have with each other have a resounding effect on the storyline, which is why I'd even argue it passes the test. It shows how girls don't have to constantly have catty drama all the time and be obsessed with guys. (Although, Mary Elizabeth and Sam's issue is around guys, but there are a bunch of other non-fighting girls)
Message posted on 2013-03-06 03:49:43
Caryn said:
I think this should pass all 3 tests. I'm pretty sure that Mary Elizabeth and Alice talk to each other directly about their SAT scores.
Message posted on 2013-05-21 02:29:17
Beth said:
This at least passes two of the tests. The many female characters in this movie have conversations with each other many times. I'm sure if you rewatched it you could count at least a few where they talk about something other than a man.
Message posted on 2013-07-08 05:40:17
luluvohn said:
At the very least this should have 2/3. I'm going to suggest 3/3 for the very last scene where the mother tells Candace they need to go shopping before she leaves for college and Candace says she does need a few things.
Message posted on 2014-05-27 10:19:08
Ryan said:
This movie should most definitely be a 3 out of 3.

First, there are several female characters that are named on this movie. For Bechdel Test sake, we have Sam, Mary Elizabeth, and Alice.

Second, these character interact several time throughout this movie. The primary discussion between the female characters does happen to be about their male counterparts. However, there are two specific instances in which two or more female characters interact without acknowledgement of men.

Third, the two interactions are as follows:

*Talking about Mary Elizabeth's haircut*
Alice: It's kinda true.
Mary Elizabeth: Shut up!

Even though this conversation is brief, it is still a valid argument that they were not discussing men. However, the second quote is more prominent.

Mary Elizabeth: I want you to promise me you're going to call me all the time.
Sam: You know I'm gonna call you all the time.
Alice: We're going to see each other in New York.
Sam: All the time.

This quote has three female characters discussing a topic that is not male-centered.

I believe that this movie does successfully pass the Bechdel Test on all three parts!
Message posted on 2015-05-24 07:36:13
neil (webmaster) said:
I've updated the rating from 1/3 to 3/3.
Message posted on 2015-05-30 14:42:23

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