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

[[2]] Saw (2004) [imdb]

This movie passed 2 of 3 tests. It was entered by Winton on 2010-05-14 19:34:45.

Reviews

Comments

Winton said:
There are several named female characters (Amanda, Kerry, Alison), but the only two who talk to each other are Alison and her daughter Diana, and the conversation revolves around "the man" in Diana's closet.
Message posted on 2010-05-14 19:34:45
Quouar disagreed with the rating and said:
At some point, Allison tells Diana to be very brave, which, while caused by a man, is not a conversation about a man.
Message posted on 2010-06-23 12:04:09
Victor said:
But, Quouar, they do not talk to each other in that scene. Allison talks to her Diana, yes, but there is no reply, so I don't think that counts as them having talked to each other.
Message posted on 2012-02-02 21:51:12
femmeapples disagreed with the rating and said:
We're going to have to agree with Quouar - based on the word "anybody" in the monologue below, and the accompanying head-nod.
Body language, especially gestures when gagged must count as conversation (we count sign language no doubt, nodding's not unrelated).

From IMSDb:
(Alison moves her head around to loosen the gag then spits it out. She tries to fight her sobs as she speaks softly to Diana.)
ALISON
Sweetheart, are you okay? (Diana shakes her head no) Mommy just needs you to be really, really, really strong right now. I’m not gonna let anybody hurt you. You got that? (Diana nods) Okay, that’s my good girl. (She starts crying as her hands work behind her to loosen the rope around them.)

--

If you won't accept that, check for the somewhat cleaner Bechdel:
"Mommy help me."
"It's okay."
around 1hr23min when Alison (hey! like Alison Bechdel, eh?) has gotten herself unbound and is unbinding Diana. About the ropes, not the man, etc etc

----

Taking a look at the script script found on Script Slug, we have an even cleaner script-del (not that we count those, looking at you Galaxy Quest) - Page 80:
Diana: Don't leave me here!
Alison: I'm not going to leave you here, honey.

Some fun changes from page to screen upon a first skim! Worth a peek for more than the extra-del!
Message posted on 2020-08-12 06:56:33
murdermonday disagreed with the rating and said:
Around 31 minutes.

Alison: "Diana, honey, can you hear me?"
Diana: "Mommy"
Alison: "What is it, sweetpea?"

Diana goes on to talk about the man in her room, but that's an exchange of dialogue without mentioning a man. Dubious as heck, but still a pass.

Then later around 1:22

Alison: "Sweetie, sweetie, sweetie"
Diana: "Mommy, help me!"
Alison: "Shh!"

More dubious passing. But it still passes.
Message posted on 2023-08-22 00:41:28

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