Monday, March 10, 2008

Chick Flicks - Let the Flood Gates Open!

I have received an official request from one of my male readers who knows I'm busy scribbling away at a romantic comedy script:

"Could you talk about what makes a great chick flick next? Is it female bonding, friends doing girl things, sticking together through thick and thin? Is it the martyr heroine who takes on the cruel cold world? Is it the 'You go, girl!' moment when the evil stupid man gets his comeuppance? Is it some kind of nod to Jane Austen? What is it? And what is the difference between a great rom-com [romantic comedy] and a great chick flick? They're not necessarily the same thing, are they?"

So - I'd like to open this one up. I've got my own opinions for sure. But so does every woman who's ever been marketed to. While I work on my answer, please help me out! Post your ideas in the Comments (don't worry about signing up with Google; you can post Anonymously, too; they all come to me for approval anyway).

Let's help out our earnest male compatriots. They do try to understand us, too, you know, and as we all acknowledge, that's likely the much harder job. While you're at it, list some of your favorite films targeted at or about women, or address romantic relationships (in any form or preference) - should be a varied list, knowing the eclectic nature of this crowd!

And men, if you've got an opinion, we're all ears!

Just hit "Comment," and let the posting begin!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Mel,

tough one for a guy like me to answer but since your ears are open. I'm not going to go for the cliche answer and say relationships. Instead I'll go with respect for the woman or women lead. Even when an seemingly incorrect or a unpopular decision/choice is made. In fact, 8 times out of ten I find I will respect the character more because it most likely will reveal a universal truth about life in general...or some **** like that.

Movies that come to mind:
Like water for Chocolate, Crouching Tiger Hidden Tiger, Princess Bride, Somewhere in Time, Barefoot in the Park

Anonymous said...

Mel, I can't believe that "Beaches" wasn't at the top of the list, as well as "Fried Green Tomatoes", and maybe even "The Ya-Ya Sisterhood" (? not sure of the exact name, but the Club of girls in Louisiana). While I personally am not overly fond of any of these movies, I believe the Female-Friendship-Overcoming-The-World and the fact that no man I know would voluntarily see any of these movies make them true Chick Flicks.

Posted by Stacy in MD

Anonymous said...

Well, let me adjust my glasses & begin... Chick Flicks are indeed different from romantic comedies, although there is certainly some intersection there. Jane Austen (in my head, anyway) tends towards a bit of both. Pride & Prejudice is certainly a romantic comedy, but the strength of the main character (Elizabeth, of course), her intelligence, and her bonds with other strong women (Jane & Charlotte) make this a chick book/flick, as well.

I have to say that I am a sucker for a man who can at least appreciate a good chick flick, although I prefer that he not cry. Someone has to maintain the un-puffy eyes to drive home!

Colleen said...

While I can make the argument that the first Indiana Jones could be a "chick flick" (Marian, Belloch, Indie--what a great love triangle!) I am hesitant to go to the last installment--ageism rearing it's ugly head? I think so. But I just can't help it--he wheezed throughout the remake of Sabrina! And that was years ago! So, my chick flicks include: It Happened One Night; Sunset Boulevard (cmon, could you see a guy get through that?); All About Eve; and the original Sabrina. There are about 100000 more, but those come to mind right off. Of course, there is also 4 Weddings and a Funeral and...

Anonymous said...

Ok, so I get to play the devil on the shoulder. Because a woman is in the lead and has a strong role does that make it a chick flick? I am thinking of movies like Untracable, Mr and Mrs Smith, Resident Evil, The Decent (an all female cast horror movie)or are only romantic comedy's and Drama's with relationships as the central focus classified as Chick Flicks?