Which Movies Can Survive The Bechdel Test?
- Take Two India
- May 18, 2020
- 4 min read
Updated: May 21, 2020
They say there is no rocket science, all we need is two women to talk about the moon, or the sun, or the stars, the whole nine yards. Talking about anything from Antarctica to Japan, anything but a man.
Owing to its simple check, it is always tossed away in the movies. In 1985 American cartoonist Alison Bechdel developed the Bechdel test.
The test set out a path of assessing a work of fiction which depicts women in a manner that isn’t sexist or denoted by a gender label. To approve the Bechdel test a work must highlight at least two women, who must converse with each other, and their exchange of words must interest something other than a man.
A question was put forward "Is a woman defined by a man's acceptance?" Here are the six answers to it:
1) A fish tale- Women's portrayal:
It's was an accepted truth in films, that women can’t have aspirations and unquestionably can’t have pursuits because when they are placed in such distinguished responsibility they would merely have time for anything other than holding up with the martial narrative of domestic contentment. Bechdel test doesn't entertain such notions rather beats it black and blue by showing unconditional proficiency of their minds.
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) right of the bat correctly points out in the hospital scene, Tina and Rahul’s baby daughter has taken after a father Rahul and she is correct for a fact that Rahul throughout the movie has acted like a baby. Man child Rahul only falls for his friend Anjali when she is more socially acceptable
2) Two birds one stone- Woman’s self-worth and respect < Man’s acceptance:
Cinema is powerful, there must be some element of truth to the statement, “films shape one's mind''. If the leading man merits her love or the whole universe deserves her affection. Then she should be the first recipient for her own admiration and respect. Yet the cinema disappoints her by constantly whispering in her ears that the only time she will be loved is when someone falls in love with her charm and dignity. In any work of fiction, women deserve to have at least one conversation where she first learns to grow that love inward.
Kal Ho Na Ho (2003) which merely passes the test is a curse of good film written badly. The film has slut shaming, body shaming, boundary issues and homophobic gags. Aman constantly nitpicks Naina on what are the remedies of a desirable personality for men. All Naina wanted was to pass MBA and be left alone
3) No one-dimensional characters:
Whether one calls it a damsel in distress or Mary sue. No one deserves to be remembered as an accessory to the plot, to not have perspective or opinions. Not necessarily two leading ladies have nothing in common other than a man. This impression births to the stereotypical concept of pitting women against women. Women as rivals for plot development only acts as a trampoline to jump new heights of misogyny
Gully Boy (2019) features a no-nonsense female leads yet whenever these two women talk with each other (they don’t) one of them lands in a hospital or police station.
4) Unrealistic expectations:
Prospects held of how women should look or behave. They are embodied as people who like what their love interest likes. It pertains to women being perceived principally as a motive of male sexual fascination, rather than as a whole person. The sexual objectification is an indicator to Bechdel test
Sajid khan was defenestrated from houseful 4 but Housefull 4 couldn’t defenestrate Sajid Khan’s notions. Needless to say, it was a crass and creepy from start to end.
5) Love will conquer all?
However strong a woman is, she should be tamed by the end. It all stems from the belief that someone has to walk into her life to revamp her from her own identity to a person every man’s desire.
The Bechdel test buries this concept six feet under with its other pals, chauvinism and sexism. This section cannot insert examples because every second film goes hand in hand with this belief. Even the movies that merely pass the Bechdel test sink their teeth’s into the concept of having a happily ever after is incomplete without marriage or proposal.
Nothing is wrong with female lead having a vulnerable side, it goes downhill only when she is asked to choose between the two.
Almost all the airport scenes end with not boarding the flight. Almost all great operates are turned down, if marriage is with Mr. Right.
6) It doesn't end there....
If two women don't talk about their love interest, could they talk about other men in their life? Father or Son or Brother? Can't do won't do.
The belief that household enchantment is almost entirely a woman’s obligation, be it devoted mothers or affectionate daughters. The argument isn't just talking about careers or missions. Why two women discussing with one another need a tutorial? They have minds and if explored can unleash a view which can set trends, call shots and lead examples.
The truth is that Bechdel test isn't impeccable:
Bechdel test has its flaws, to be precise it’s a far cry from being perfect. In Avengers, Black widow is a strong female character who breaks gender barriers of female feebleness using her strength, inner as well as outer. It doesn’t pass the Bechdel test.
Toy story 2 or even Gravity (2013) don’t qualify the test but movies like Race 3, which is bane of our existence and Twilight (2008) every girl’s dream to have a blood sucking monster passes the test.
Bechdel test has it lows of generalizing a story, so it’s important to know that it’s not the most suitable acid test of poor representation of women. But is rather a significant point of departure from the hackneyed perspective of women. Even the slightest act of strength could yield in enormous results.
Bechdel test is needed to weather the storms of patriarchy.
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