…perhaps I’m slow, but I was wandering around Feministe and came across this, the Bechdel Test, made popular in the comic strip, “Dykes to Watch Out For.”
According to the test, any movie worth watching must:
1. Have at least two women in it,
2. Who talk to each other,
3. About something besides a man.
The test has its own blog if you want to explore further.
I can certainly watch a movie with an all-male cast, but when a woman is involved, why does her character so often devolve into someone like — as reported by Sis. Cynical — Meryl Streep’s character in “It’s Complicated.” Because real-life depictions of women aren’t that complicated and you lose women like me who tire of seeing the girl being attacked and not fighting back, or the girl serving as love-slave, or the girl basically blending into the background. No, not every movie is like that but too many of them are and I’m saving my money for something more fabulous in the way of entertainment.
As an aside, go rent “The Lemon Tree,” and see how strong women can be portrayed onscreen with grace and humor and dignity.
Going to my queue-page now! Netflix is going to have to give you a commission.
My friend Bob, who teaches a film class, suggested this one. I was so pleased with me when I went to my queue and it was already there. Someone else must have suggested it. I have no original thought.
Bob? Who gave Tod so much headache?
Yeah. Hate Bob.
Just FYI — It’s “Lemon Tree” according to Netflix.
“Lemon Tree” is next up on my queue. Good thing we’re not all in the same Netflix service region. ;-)
My queue is a couple dozen long — every time I remember or hear about a good flick I have to add it so I won’t forget!
Same here. And then a movie comes and I think, “What a nice surprise,” because I don’t remember ordering it.
Or we’d have to fight over movies! I’m interested in what you think of it, once you’ve seen it.