Up (2009 #5 Box Office and Oscar Nominee)

Bechdel-Wallace Test

1. Does the movie have at least two named female characters?
   • Yes.  There’s Ellie Fredricksen and Kevin.
2. Do the female characters talk to each other on-screen?
   • No.  Ellie and Kevin never meet.
3. Does their conversation revolve around something other than a man?
   • N/A

Please leave your comments below on whether you agree or disagree with my assessment.

The Blind Side (2009 #8 Box Office and Oscar Nominee)

Bechdel-Wallace Test

1. Does the movie have at least two named female characters?
   • Yes.  There’s Leigh Anne and Collins Tuohy, Miss Sue, Mrs. Boswell, Beth, Elaine, and Sherry to name a few.
2. Do the female characters talk to each other on-screen?
   • Yes.  There are multiple conversations between Leigh Anne and other characters listed above.
3. Does their conversation revolve around something other than a man?
   • Yes.  At one point, Leigh Anne and Miss Sue discuss the latter’s qualifications as a tutor.

Please leave your comments below on whether you agree or disagree with my assessment.

Avatar (2009 #1 Box Office and Oscar Nominee)

Bechdel-Wallace Test

1. Does the movie have at least two named female characters?
   • Yes.  There’s Neytiri, Dr. Grace Augustine, Trudy Chacon, and Mo’at.
2. Do the female characters talk to each other on-screen?
   • Yes.  There are several conversations, especially between Grace and Trudy or Neytiri and Mo’at.
3. Does their conversation revolve around something other than a man?
   • Yes.  At one point, Trudy and Grace discuss the effect of the Hallelujah Mountains on the Samson’s instruments.

Please leave your comments below on whether you agree or disagree with my assessment.

Up in the Air (2009 Oscar Nominee)

Bechdel-Wallace Test

1. Does the movie have at least two named female characters?
   • Yes.  There’s Alex Goran, Natalie Keener, Kara and Julie Bingham, and Karen Barnes, to name a few.
2. Do the female characters talk to each other on-screen?
   • Yes.  There are several conversations, especially between Alex and Natalie or Karen and Julie.
3. Does their conversation revolve around something other than a man?
   • Yes.  Alex and Natalie.  A more significant conversation also occurs between Natalie and Karen regarding the latter being fired.

Please leave your comments below on whether you agree or disagree with my assessment.

A Serious Man (2009 Oscar Nominee)

Bechdel-Wallace Test

1. Does the movie have at least two named female characters?
   • Yes.  There’s Judith and Sarah Gupnik as well as Mrs. Samsky.
2. Do the female characters talk to each other on-screen?
   • Yes.  There are a few brief conversations between Judith and Sarah.
3. Does their conversation revolve around something other than a man?
   • No.  Judith and Sarah only talk about Uncle Arthur.

Please leave your comments below on whether you agree or disagree with my assessment.

Precious (2009 Oscar Nominee)

Bechdel-Wallace Test

1. Does the movie have at least two named female characters?
   • Yes, there are several.  Some of the major ones include Claireece “Precious” Jones, Mary Johnston, Ms. Blu Rain, Ms. Weiss, and Mrs. Liechtenstein.
2. Do the female characters talk to each other on-screen?
   • Yes.  Precious has several conversations with the women listed above as well as other unlisted.
3. Does their conversation revolve around something other than a man?
   • Yes.  Early in the movie, Precious and Mary discuss Mrs. Liechtenstein’s visit and Precious’ “attitude.”

Please leave your comments below on whether you agree or disagree with my assessment.

Inglorious Basterds (2009 Oscar Nominee)

Bechdel-Wallace Test

1. Does the movie have at least two named female characters?
   • Yes.  There’s Shosanna Dreyfus/Emmanuelle Mimieux, Bridge von Hammersmark, and Francesca Mondino,
2. Do the female characters talk to each other on-screen?
   • No . . . sort of.  Francesca translates for Joseph Goebbels in a conversation with Shosanna.  Thus, while these women are talking to each other, its really Goebbels Shosanna has the conversation with; Francesca is merely a go-between.
3. Does their conversation revolve around something other than a man?
   • N/A.

Please leave your comments below on whether you agree or disagree with my assessment.

The Hurt Locker (2009 Oscar Winner)

Bechdel-Wallace Test

1. Does the movie have at least two named female characters?
   • No.  The only named female character is Connie James.
2. Do the female characters talk to each other on-screen?
   • N/A
3. Does their conversation revolve around something other than a man?
   • N/A

Please leave your comments below on whether you agree or disagree with my assessment.

An Education (2009 Oscar Nominee)

Bechdel-Wallace Test

1. Does the movie have at least two named female characters?
   • Yes.  There’s Jenny and Marjorie Mellor, Miss Stubbs, Helen, Hattie, and Tina, to name a few.
2. Do the female characters talk to each other on-screen?
   • Yes.  Jenny talk multiple times to all of the women listed above.
3. Does their conversation revolve around something other than a man?
   • Yes.  Jenny talks a few times with her mother, Marjorie, and Miss Stubbs about her education and future ambitions.

Please leave your comments below on whether you agree or disagree with my assessment.

District 9 (2009 Oscar Nominee)

Bechdel-Wallace Test

1. Does the movie have at least two named female characters?
   • Yes.  There’s Tania and Sandra Van De Merwe, Sarah Livingstone, and Dr. Katrina McKenzie, among others.
2. Do the female characters talk to each other on-screen?
   • No.  While Tania and Sandra share a scene together, they only talk to other male characters.
3. Does their conversation revolve around something other than a man?
   • N/A

Please leave your comments below on whether you agree or disagree with my assessment.