bluetech Posted July 18, 2018 Share Posted July 18, 2018 For those who aren't aware, the Bedchel test is a litmus test for movies that tests representation of women. Essentially, a movie passes the test if the movie features two female characters who have a dialog about something other than a man. Surprisingly few movies actually pass this test. Along these lines, I propose the Plus Size Bedchel Test, in which a movie or TV show passes if it has a plus sized actress in a leading role or significant supporting role (has dialog in multiple scenes and whose actions drive the plot) whose character's plot lines and backstory aren't based on her weight. In other words, a plus sized actress in a role that could have just as easily be played by a skinny actress without any changes to the script. Can anybody think of any movies or TV shows which would pass the test? syphon88 and John Smith 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pummeluff90 Posted July 18, 2018 Share Posted July 18, 2018 The first one is about her weight tbh.... But I just wanted some pictures in here... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Professor Booty Posted July 18, 2018 Share Posted July 18, 2018 What is the first one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pummeluff90 Posted July 18, 2018 Share Posted July 18, 2018 3 hours ago, Professor Booty said: What is the first one? "Molly und Mops" Actress: Monika Reithofer Professor Booty 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maltesefalcon Posted July 18, 2018 Share Posted July 18, 2018 Interesting concept. Suppose they made a movie about a Fight Club and they told you not to talk about Fight Club. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Saucerful Of Harry Posted July 19, 2018 Share Posted July 19, 2018 I've always found the bedchel test to be pointless and stupid, for example Thor: The Dark World passes the bedchel test but that doesn't change the fact that the movie is awful. Reptilian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Feeder Posted July 19, 2018 Share Posted July 19, 2018 56 minutes ago, A Saucerful Of Harry said: I've always found the bedchel test to be pointless and stupid, for example Thor: The Dark World passes the bedchel test but that doesn't change the fact that the movie is awful. It's not meant to be a measure of quality--just a very minimal standard. Ender and syphon88 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cottonsox Posted July 19, 2018 Share Posted July 19, 2018 37 minutes ago, Dr. Feeder said: It's not meant to be a measure of quality--just a very minimal standard. It’s still bizarre though because the “involving a man” thing is just ridiculous because it doesn’t mean romantically involving swooning over a man it means are they discussing a character who is male. Such that you can can have two strong female supporting actors who both play crucial roles in the movie who have just saved the main characters ass and it’s the first time they meet near the end of the movie they fail the “is this feminist” enough test because they were inconveniently trying to deal with current situation of trying to keep one of the characters from dying of mortal wounds. If men and woman play equally important roles in movies than great, if there’s a movies where it is almost exclusively men due to the setting that’s also ok, if there is a movie that is almost exclusively woman due to the setting that is also ok. It’s art not a medium to satisfy people’s political opinions so don’t treat it as such Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Feeder Posted July 19, 2018 Share Posted July 19, 2018 2 hours ago, Cottonsox said: It’s still bizarre though because the “involving a man” thing is just ridiculous because it doesn’t mean romantically involving swooning over a man it means are they discussing a character who is male. Such that you can can have two strong female supporting actors who both play crucial roles in the movie who have just saved the main characters ass and it’s the first time they meet near the end of the movie they fail the “is this feminist” enough test because they were inconveniently trying to deal with current situation of trying to keep one of the characters from dying of mortal wounds. If men and woman play equally important roles in movies than great, if there’s a movies where it is almost exclusively men due to the setting that’s also ok, if there is a movie that is almost exclusively woman due to the setting that is also ok. It’s art not a medium to satisfy people’s political opinions so don’t treat it as such I never said it was a standard everyone has to honor! In fact I wouldn't judge any one movie for failing this test. The interesting part is that so many movies flunk it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluetech Posted July 19, 2018 Author Share Posted July 19, 2018 I think the usefulness of the bechdel test is more in statistical purposes. Whether a particular movie passes won’t tell you whether it is a good movie or not. But in aggregate it will give useful statistical insight as to whether movies of a given category have a tendency to treat women as eye candy or as actual human beings who can think for themselves. Anyway, I regret even bringing bechdel up in the OP as it led to a derail right away and only the first reply is actually on topic. I only meant it as an example of an existing simple rule to categorize movies. It would be neat to continue the discussion of the merits of the bechdel test, just not here. I would prefer if this thread stick to discussing movies and TV shows that star plus size actresses who play parts that don’t revolve around the fact that they are fat, and I would ask the mods to move the bechdel specific posts to a new thread in the appropriate forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hirsch von Bork Posted July 19, 2018 Share Posted July 19, 2018 The problem is, I can remember very few movies involving a female character who is overweight, and in almost all cases being overweight is what defines her role ( the fat girl/women). The Hollywood bias is evident. MasterOfHisDomain 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluetech Posted July 19, 2018 Author Share Posted July 19, 2018 5 hours ago, das Hirschlein said: The problem is, I can remember very few movies involving a female character who is overweight, and in almost all cases being overweight is what defines her role ( the fat girl/women). The Hollywood bias is evident. And that’s the whole point. I want to find out if there are any movies that overcome that bias. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Smith Posted July 21, 2018 Share Posted July 21, 2018 On 7/18/2018 at 11:30 AM, bluetech said: Can anybody think of any movies or TV shows which would pass the test? I think this couple of pictures alone may conclude this thread for at least one or two more decades. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Smith Posted July 21, 2018 Share Posted July 21, 2018 On 7/18/2018 at 8:37 PM, A Saucerful Of Harry said: I've always found the bedchel test to be pointless and stupid, for example Thor: The Dark World passes the bedchel test but that doesn't change the fact that the movie is awful. Not as awful than the third sequel... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Saucerful Of Harry Posted July 21, 2018 Share Posted July 21, 2018 1 minute ago, John Smith said: Not as awful than the third sequel... What the hell are you talking about? It's a great movie, it captures Thor's goofiness perfectly and has some of the best fight scenes in all the MCU, Thor: The Dark World however is boring and the supporting cast is waaaay too big. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Smith Posted July 21, 2018 Share Posted July 21, 2018 @A Saucerful Of Harry ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... I'm guessing that you are one of those, didn't ya? Bye Felisha. #GetBackToTheTopicYAll Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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