the bechdel rule

mialuthien commented on the word the bechdel rule

"The rule is that movies should have 1) at least two women, 2) who talk to each other, 3) about something other than a man." The Bechdel Rule and The Dark Knight.

July 24, 2008

jennarenn commented on the word the bechdel rule

Interesting and spot-on.

July 24, 2008

yarb commented on the word the bechdel rule

This is a great rule if you enjoy movies in which women talk to each other about things other than men.

July 24, 2008

mialuthien commented on the word the bechdel rule

No, it should read "if you enjoy movies in which women, as well as men, talk to each other about things other than the opposite sex".

The overwhelming majority are movies in which men talk-to-each-other-about-things-unrelated-to-women-and-relationships, and that's just fine, but why aren't women portrayed as characters that add equal weight to the action and advancement of plot? Most women are only supporting characters at best, heroines to be rescued, or the main protagonists

unconfrontational love interests. (This by no means objective observation is based on the last ten movies I've viewed).

July 24, 2008

yarb commented on the word the bechdel rule

I do agree with you in principle, Mia. Just sayin' that lots of people are genre-bound, only really interested in testosterone-laden action movies, gross-out comedies or formulaic slashers.

More generally, mainstream cinema is largely about spectacle and romance (I believe by demand), which tends to preclude the kind of conversations mandated by the Bechdel rule.

July 24, 2008

missanthropist commented on the word the bechdel rule

Not to be confused with 'The Bechtel Rule'.

July 25, 2008

mialuthien commented on the word the bechdel rule

Could you elaborate, Miss A? What does this rule state?

July 25, 2008