Gender in Movies [315]

[estro]

Chloe and Myles dragged me out last night to see Whip It; while not the best film I have ever seen, it was thoroughly enjoyable and totally worth the price of admission (given many of the movies to come out this year, that is high praise). Whip It even passes the Bechdel test with flying colors, and, as sophiism suggests, that is worth a monetary vote on its own.

I find it frustrating that I still live in a world with enough subtle gender pigeonholing in the media that merely having female leads in something other than a romantic comedy is notably refreshing. I have spent most of the afternoon trying to think of movies I have seen where most of the key personalities in the movie are female and the list is depressingly short. Ghost World, The Magdalena Sisters, and Bend it Like Beckham came first to mind. But I'm a Cheerleader, Bound, and Chutney Popcorn have being a lesbian as a key plot point. The Election (which I hated) has a majority of relevant female characters but I can't remember if the women talk to each other about things other than the guys. Same for Monsoon Wedding (which I loved). Rommie and Michelle's Highschool Reunion probably passes the test though I am not sure whether I am more surprised by this or shamed that I am owning up to having seen it.

Most of those films were only shown in indie art-house theaters.

Even when I include children's movies, My Neighbor Tortoro is the only additional film I can think of. The Harry Potter movies pass the Bechdel test, but aren't close to parity genderwise.

Really, how difficult can it be to sell a worthwhile movie with a bunch of female characters? Preferably one without a plot that revolves around their love lives.

Comments

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The Devil Wears Prada, ironically enough.
Sophie's Choice. Also, every divorce film ever.

Ermm, having given a quick read over Ms Bechdel's blog, I think the problem you may be running into is that most of your moviegoing is on the art-house circuit.

[blue-estro.livejournal.com]

I haven't made it out to the movies much lately, but most of the movies I do see are in mainstream theaters of late. A large number of the ones I have seen that have more than a few women in them that aren't romantic-relationship films are the ones I saw in art-house theaters.

And, having let it mulled longer, I can name more movies, but they are still a notable minority of the movies I have seen.