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]] Boyhood (2014) [imdb]

This movie passed 3 of 3 tests. It was entered by nike on 2014-05-28 21:45:48.

Reviews

Comments

nike said:
Boyhood passes. There are a number of named female characters - the protagonist's mother, Liv; his sister, Samantha; his grandmother, Catherine; his half-sister, Mindy, his girlfriend Sheena, and so on... the first instance on which it passes is early on in the film when Samantha and Catherine talk about Sam's grades.
Message posted on 2014-05-28 21:45:48
B said:
I don't disagree with the rate, as the movie is indeed great with the depth of its characters (not only women). I just wanted to let posted that it spreads a little the awful stereotype of the stupid, careless and selfish teenage girl. I mean really, every movie ever, the annoying teenager is a girl who can't see through her own needs. Besides that one little enraging point, i loved the movie
Message posted on 2014-08-05 01:10:21
Chelsea disagreed with the rating and said:
If Samantha and Catherine talk about Sam's grades, aren't they talking about a man?
Message posted on 2014-08-06 17:09:48
Ramsey said:
Passes. Samantha and Catherina discuss Samantha's grades as said. Also Samantha and Olivia discuss what they're going to do/what will happen to their stepsiblings/children after Olivia leaves her second husband. Plus some other moments between Sam/Olivia.
Message posted on 2014-08-07 05:29:02
w. said:
Sam is Samantha's nickname, so no, they aren't talking about a man. This is an incredibly easy pass.
Message posted on 2014-08-13 17:19:39
James said:
Olivia and Sam talk about moving to a new place early in the movie. Sam and Sheena talk about their post high school plans. There are a lot of transient interactions between women in the movie too.

This movie passes about as much as you could expect something with its premise (the coming of age of a young boy) could.
Message posted on 2014-08-16 06:48:57
parisa disagreed with the rating and said:
the passing grade of this test may be just too literal, ever think of that? i'd imagine when bechdel formulated this kind of test, it was to hold film to a higher standard than one scene in which two women talk about one's grades.

i'd like to revamp the bechdel test to magnify the criteria. let movie be about those two women talking about something that isn't hetero.
Message posted on 2014-09-16 16:30:42
shaun said:
@parisa, are grades hetero?
Message posted on 2014-09-17 23:40:39
Rose said:
parisa, so no movies about men or boys should ever be made again? Really? This movie passes the test. It meets the criteria laid out in the comic, and not because two sexy leg lamps talk about nail polish. If you want to make your own feminist film test, have at it. Make a site for it. It might be interesting to see and provoke thought and discussion. Good luck!
Message posted on 2014-09-22 14:34:43
Alexandre said:
The movie passes the test, but it kinda reinforces the idea that only men can be the main character in a movie, in a way. I mean, Richard Linklater have a daughter who acts in "Boyhood" but he chose to cast a boy to play the lead instead. Would Hollywood ever make a 12-year-long project centered on a yound lady?
Message posted on 2015-01-26 16:12:25
Quest said:
@ parisa the criteria of the test doesn't need to be revamped. The point is that it's easy to pass, which is why it's so shocking that many films still don't. The test should be considered an indicator of quality. Like, as for the quality of boyhood, i'd have to say it's fairly bland. masons mother is really the only female character with any depth, while characters like samantha and masons girlfriend are stereotypical and cast in a bad light.
Message posted on 2015-02-07 20:22:08
MimiB said:
Quest is right. I don't believe the test needs to be revamped, as it's easy to comply with the standard. The passing films are somewhat more balanced than those that don't pass, nor do they have to be about women. It goes without saying that there should be more films about women, more important parts featuring women, greater balance in the dialog, less stereotyping... all of that. What's astonishing is how few films pass even the simplest most basic Bechdel testing.

Why didn't Richard Linklater cast a female lead, especially since he was going to use his daughter in the film? You'll have to ask him. It's still a terrific film.
Message posted on 2015-03-22 20:20:52
Lotterery said:
I believe that this film does pass the Bechdel Test because there are at least two women in the film (Olivia and Samantha) who talk to each other about something other than men (Sam's grades). While the movie's protagonist is Mason, there is a focus on Olivia, Sam, Mason and Mason Sr as we follow all of them throughout the 12 years that it took Linklater to create this film.
Message posted on 2020-02-06 05:51:40

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