Does Not Pass the What Test?

Some days, we are all Diane Lane. In an interview with Vanity Fair the actress was discussing whether her role in “House of Cards” passes the Bechdel Test and, well, things went a little sideways.

Vanity Fair: There are some fantastic interactions between your character and Claire Underwood. The repartee is like something out of an old movie.
Diane Lane: But we don’t [pass] the rectal test, right? Am I saying it right?
Vanity Fair: You mean Bechdel? Like Alison Bechdel, the Bechdel test [which looks at whether a movie, TV show, or book features at least two women talking to each other about something besides men]?
Diane Lane: Yes, that’s it. When the Bechdel test was first mentioned, I thought, yeah, what’s up with that? Why are guys always able to talk about whatever is going on in the story and then the ladies are coming on talking about the guys? I mean, it’s just dumb. . . . We are playing history back now, looking at things differently.

Now, granted, this is in print and having listened to my fair share of taped interviews I can say much can be lost in translation. But for a brief, wonderful moment of embarrassing mispronunciation, may we all rejoice that a Rectal Test does not actually exist in feminist critique. Thanks for the laugh, Diane. Thanks ever so much.