It's hard to find any empowering films created for women in this century (or any century). Almost all female characters are on the journey to find a husband or to fight for their boyfriend/husband, or they spend the entire film moping about being single and then finally find their love. All their conversations consist of this, with no character development that doesn't depend on men. What effect do these films have on women in real life? We feel strange being single because we're supposed to have a partner; we feel like we're the weird one, the single friend that is lacking.
Well, here's a guide to finding a movie with female characters that won't make you want to rip your hair out because of their hunger for romantic company. The Bechdel test was created as a means of assessing a movie's treatment of its female characters: 1. it has to have at least two women in it, who 2. who talk to each other, about 3. something besides a man. Seems like pretty easy criteria to meet, right? Surprisingly, only 6,495 movies are listed on the database, and this number includes films that come close but do not quite make the cut.
To make it a bit easier for you, here's a list of films that pass the test. Some of these may surprise you, but they will definitely make you feel better after watching.
1. "Sisters"
Amy Poehler and Tina Fey play sisters who throw a house party in their childhood home. They're both hilarious, so expect this film to bring you to tears.
2. "Thelma and Louise"
This film's been named the best female-friendly film ever made. No other film can compare to how incredible "Thelma and Louise" is because no other film has such well developed female characters who rebel against abuse and restraints to reach ultimate freedom.
3. "Bridesmaids"
If you haven't watched this movie yet, PLEASE watch it. Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph are so funny and they make this film incredible with their hilarious friendship. Wiig plays a character who struggles with being single while watching her best friend go through preparations for her wedding. She fears she's losing her friend to a richer, more beautiful woman who tries to outdo Wiig's character in every way possible.
4. "The Help"
"The Help" is one of those films where everyone will gasp if you say you've never seen it. It's set during the Civil Rights Movement and told from the perspective of black women who are maids. It's incredible and inspiring, and it's obvious why this film passed the Bechdel test.
5. "Captain America: Civil War"
To many's surprise, this film passes the test. Because Black Widow and other female characters chat briefly, it passes, despite mostly featuring male characters. This film is the third installment of the Captain America movies; it's action packed and stars a bunch of Marvel characters you do not want to miss. (I still need to watch it so this summary will remain a bit vague!)
6. "The Divergent Series: Allegiant"
Led by the almighty Divergent Tris, the third movie of this installment demonstrates Tris' strength to keep fighting with the help of her female friends and supporting male friends.
7. "The Boy"
The main character, Greta, agrees to take care of a family's son: a porcelain doll. From the creepy trailer, you can tell that this movie is terrifying, but it does pass the test.
8. "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days"
Andie Anderson plans to lose a man in ten days, but she attempts to do so with a man who is trying to make her fall in love with him. Although this movie is about love, it passes the test!
9. "Trainwreck"
"Trainwreck" became a big hit because of its empowering storyline. Telling the story of Amy, a single woman who avoids relationships and loves to sleep around, her character flips gender roles and fights against gender stereotypes.
10. "10 Cloverfield Lane"
In this sci-fi film, the sequel to "Cloverfield," a man and a woman are trapped in a shelter, under the impression that a disease has killed off mankind and they must remain in the bunker for years until it is safe to emerge.
11. "Spotlight"
"Spotlight" covers the story of how the Boston Globe uncovered the massive scandal of child molestation within the local Catholic Archdiocese, shaking the entire Catholic Church to its core.
12. "Iron Jawed Angels"
I swear this is one of my favorite movies. I know it's ancient and low-res, but I promise it's worth watching. This film tells the story of Alice Paul, a suffragette from New Jersey, and her fight for suffrage. It's a super empowering film.
Please let me know if you have any movies to recommend to me that pass the Bechdel test. Enjoy!!