Are the “Bechdel Test” and “Manic Pixie Dream Girls” Limiting Art?
There is something of a thrill the first time that somebody accurately points out just what it is that’s a noxious, recurring theme in pop culture. Certainly there was a frisson of yes, that’s it! when Nathan Rabin, formerly of The A.V. Club and currently of The Dissolve, wrote in 2007…
To answer the title question: No.
In general: I take issue with the premise that the Bechdel Test and Manic Pixie Dream Girl criticism are used to measure if a thing is good. I can’t recall a time I’ve heard someone use either to suggest a film isn’t good (though, it is extremely likely that I just haven’t been paying attention and that happens all the time). I have heard both used to express why someone might not be interested in a movie or to point out a flaw in the movie. Both are about a persistent flaw in films: poorly developed female characters. They’re pointing out a laziness in the storytelling and art of a film.
As someone who writes and makes films I have found both concepts extremely helpful in my process. Women are more than 50% of the population, if I can’t have at least two of them in my story who are capable of talking to each other about something other than a male character, then I expect myself to have a good reason for that (for example, if there’s only one character in the film). If I have a girlfriend or wife or female romantic interest character making her a perfect solution to all my male lead’s problems with no personality, goals, or desires beyond her relationship to him, then I haven’t written an interesting character.
I think both are good, useful measures for any writer or filmmaker to ask themselves if they’re being lazy. I think that they do the opposite of limit art. They are an opportunity to expand art.
Also, I think the notion at the end of the article that we should have a measure based on the women that are involved behind-the-scenes is a good idea, but it’s not really enough. Men in the industry/medium need to be holding themselves to these standards. Not just for better representation of women, but so that we can create better art.
Reblogged for Sean’s commentary. Also you should check out his work here.
Thanks, Kat!
Lazy is the perfect word. Thanks unclesean.