# Failing the Bechdel test with an all-female cast **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 2, 2013, 9:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/failing-the-bechdel-test-with-an-all-female-cast/654609 "2013-04-02T09:11:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2013, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/failing-the-bechdel-test-with-an-all-female-cast/654609/41 "2013-04-03T15:41:47Z")
I just have to note that every time I scan the thread title, I see “Failing the Bechamel test…” StG ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2013, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/failing-the-bechdel-test-with-an-all-female-cast/654609/42 "2013-04-03T23:04:42Z")
> [@Old\_Eel](#): > > _50 Shades of Grey_ has some very superficial conversations between women that are not about men, but these usually turn into discussions of men, or, the whole time they are talking, at least one of them is thinking about a man. I haven’t read _50 Shades of Grey_, but I’d be very surprised if the male love interest didn’t have any dialogue. > [@Hallucinex](#): > > 8 Femmes? > > I think it was just women. I’m sure they talked about other things, but pretty sure the plot revolved around a man that had died. The man does appear onscreen briefly, but I can’t remember if he has a line or now. However, I’m certain the women do have conversations that aren’t about him (or another man) as the topic of attraction/love between women comes up a couple of times. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2014, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/failing-the-bechdel-test-with-an-all-female-cast/654609/43 "2014-01-12T04:02:25Z")
_Slate_ on reevaluating the Bechdel Test: [http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx\_factor/2014/01/07/the\_bechdel\_test\_needs\_an\_update\_we\_ve\_set\_the\_bar\_for\_female\_representation.html](http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2014/01/07/the_bechdel_test_needs_an_update_we_ve_set_the_bar_for_female_representation.html) ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2014, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/failing-the-bechdel-test-with-an-all-female-cast/654609/44 "2014-01-12T04:52:04Z")
The play “A Couple of White Chicks Sitting Around Talking” ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2014, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/failing-the-bechdel-test-with-an-all-female-cast/654609/45 "2014-01-12T05:14:18Z")
The Bechdel test is a good test in that it very clearly indicates that something needs to change in Hollywood. It’s only inadequate for the purpose of showing exactly what it is that needs to change. I get the impression that a lot of producers have become aware of the test, and that’s good… But some (note, not all, but some) of them seem to have decided that all they need to do is include a single token conversation to meet the test conditions, and then they’re done. Far better for then to instead make an actual effort at strong and relevant female characters, which will almost always end up passing the Bechdel test as an incidental side effect (and in the rare cases it doesn’t, like _Gravity_, it’s not actually a problem). ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2014, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/failing-the-bechdel-test-with-an-all-female-cast/654609/46 "2014-01-12T06:22:20Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Far better for then to instead make an actual effort at strong and relevant female characters But aside from lead roles, there are no strong and relevant roles for either gender. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2014, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/failing-the-bechdel-test-with-an-all-female-cast/654609/47 "2014-01-12T06:50:11Z")
> [@psychonaut](#): > > The [Bechdel test](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/UsefulNotes/TheBechdelTest) is a test which helps identify gender bias in fiction. No, it isn’t. It’s more of a thought experiment to get audiences to consider gender issues and the role of women in popular works. As I believe your link points out, it is not, and was never intended to be, a “feminism test” for fictional works. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/failing-the-bechdel-test-with-an-all-female-cast/654609.md?page=2)