# In praise of chick flicks **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 16, 2006, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-chick-flicks/369016 "2006-08-16T22:14:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2006, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-chick-flicks/369016/1 "2006-08-16T22:14:36Z")
Hi. My name is **Dinsdale**. I am 45 years old, male, and heterosexual. And I like chick flicks. Whether they are teen flicks like my most recently watched **She’s the Man** , aimed at a slightly more mature audience like **Devil Wears Prada** , or hisorical dramas like the Jane Austen film of the season. Sure, the first two genres are usually quite predictable, and won’t change your life. But I have to admit I really appreciate one aspect of the predictability - they are usually good for 1 1/2 hours of light entertainment. Boy meets girl, girl meets boy, and then confusion, angst, hijinks, and hilarity ensues. You know there will be some attractive members of both genders, at least a few lines/situations you will find quite funny, some villians you love to hate, and a snappy soundtrack. And you know that in the end good will conquer evil and someone will learn a valuable lesson, thereby becoming a better person. The historical costume dramas will often feature good casts, interesting scenery, and generally intelligent dialogue. And someone learns a lesson, good generally triumphs, etc… I don’t want to suggest that there is no place for film that demands more of the viewer. But far more often if I am standing in the video store, I have to decide whether I want to take the chance at something that may really affect me - tho it may well be challenging or emotionally draining. And the flip side is, a goodly percentage of films that aim high - miss the mark. Or do I g for disposable entertainment that will leave me with a pleasant yet unfocused feeling after a couple of hours later. Kind of like the Krispy Kremes of fine pastry. So, I just wanted to come out of the closet and admit that I’m a big old chick flick liker. Any others out there? ---
**Author:** ![Linty\_Fresh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Linty\_Fresh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linty_Fresh)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2006, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-chick-flicks/369016/2 "2006-08-16T22:30:01Z")
I absolutely loathe chick flicks . . . except for [Under The Tuscan Sun](http://imdb.com/title/tt0328589/). I can’t help it. It kind of mirrors my life with getting away from an awful relationship way back when, only instead of buying a villa in Tuscany, I joined the army. I also met the love of my life in the army, just like Frances meets hers in Italy . . . So yeah, I really like it, but that’s the only chick flick I don’t actually hate. BTW, I saw my first chick flick way before I knew they existed. It was [How To Make An American Quilt](http://imdb.com/title/tt0113347/), and to this day, I remember getting all squicked out about it. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2006, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-chick-flicks/369016/3 "2006-08-16T22:32:45Z")
Back in my book publishing days, I edited a seriously hard-boiled writer of thrillers and private eye novels who also happened to be a huge movie buff. We used to swap stories and recommendations of \*films noirs \* and other manly entertainments over cigars and whiskey. One day he referenced some Bette Davis flick – _The Letter_, probably – and I admitted that I’d never spent much time with the Grand Ladies of the Silver Screen. He punched me in the nose, then sent me out to rent Greta Garbo’s [Queen Christina](http://imdb.com/title/tt0024481/) (1933). Great stuff…and now I regularly pick up films with Crawford, Davis, Garbo, and all the other biggies. My favorite is probably [Maedchen in Uniform](http://imdb.com/title/tt0022183/) (1931) – all-female cast; written, directed, produced by women – subject matter: sexual discovery at a girls’ boarding school. Can’t get much more of a “chick flick” than that. ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2006, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-chick-flicks/369016/4 "2006-08-16T22:33:04Z")
I liked “Serendipity.” I even bought it on DVD (on the cheap rack, admittedly). There’s something about that movie, about the hope that one day that perfect person really will be there. Lovely. Plus, that woman’s got a beautiful English accent. “Enchanted April” was a good movie, too — quite apart from having Jim Broadbent, Alfred Molina, Miranda Richardson, and Joan Plowright acting their butts off. And yes, I liked “Sense and Sensibility” and “Much Ado About Nothing,” too. Dunno if I could enjoy a steady diet of the weepy my-sister-with-inoperable-cancer-died-in-childbirth-on-the-anniversary-of-my-divorce-type films. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Panic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/don_t_panic/32/398_2.png) [@Don\_t\_Panic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Panic)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2006, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-chick-flicks/369016/5 "2006-08-16T22:34:14Z")
I only watch the ones based on Shakespeare. ---
**Author:** ![Throatwarbler\_Mangrove](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8c91f0/32.png) [@Throatwarbler\_Mangrove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Throatwarbler_Mangrove)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2006, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-chick-flicks/369016/6 "2006-08-16T22:36:22Z")
I can’t say I _like_ them per se, but a large percentage of my favourite movies would be classified as such. _Shakespeare in Love_, Both _Bridget Jones_ movies, Tsui Hark’s _Green Snake_(well, it has chicks in it, anyway), _Bend it like Beckham_, The totally awesome _Bride and prejudice_… Then again, I do hate most of them. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2006, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-chick-flicks/369016/7 "2006-08-16T22:45:28Z")
Fuckin’ SHIT…Shakespeare does NOT do CHICK FLICKS. Take it from me, I spent last night watching Roman Polanski’s [Macbeth](http://imdb.com/title/tt0067372/). Blood and guts everywhere; produced by Hugh Hefner (!!!); sleepwalk scene performed nekkid. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2006, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-chick-flicks/369016/8 "2006-08-16T22:57:02Z")
I think great melodrama has universal things to say about society, the human condition (re: emotions, sacrifice, love, regret), and gender roles and expectations in society. Some of our greatest filmmakers specialized in melodrama centered around a woman’s experience: Ingmar Bergman, Frank Borzage, Douglas Sirk, Kenji Mizoguchi, Michelangelo Antonioni, Josef von Sternberg, Max Ophuls, R.W. Fassbinder, Eric Rohmer, George Cukor. Many of their films are masterpieces, especially the ones that can be reductively called “chick flicks”. For me, a genuine “chick flick” has no emotional resonance, no genuine heartbeat. Being predictable isn’t bad, but showing zero invention in taking the audience along this trajectory is. Most pander to their audience, indulging in feel-good moments that aren’t true to their characters. I don’t demand “realism” per se, but I do expect a certain amount of emotional honesty, and for me, a “chick flick” always takes the easy way out–cutting corners for a quick, manipulative “high” vs. having an ending (happy or sad) that feels like it has real dramatic weight. This applies just as much (or even more) to comedies as it does to drama. For me, even the lightest chick flick can never be “fun” if it insults my intelligence or cloyingly compromises on its initial promise. But if it delivers on multiple cylinders–both funny and heartfelt–then they stop being "chick flick"s. They’re just good. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2006, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-chick-flicks/369016/9 "2006-08-16T23:08:45Z")
I can’t understand why “chick flick” is a pejorative. Surely there’s room in our moviegoing to enjoy a movie dealing with relationships and emotions, just as there’s room for action/adventure or dumb comedy. I have no problems seeing films about relations and women and romance, and thought things like **Mean Girls, Just Lke Heaven, The Matchmaker,** and **Little Woman** were good films. **Shakespear in Love** is one of the best films of the past ten years, and, next to **Crash** , the most deserving Best Picture Oscar winner. ---
**Author:** ![Only\_Mostly\_Dead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/f19dbf/32.png) [@Only\_Mostly\_Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Only_Mostly_Dead)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2006, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-chick-flicks/369016/10 "2006-08-16T23:22:06Z")
I am a 24 year old straight male, and I too like Chick Flicks. And, I am unashamed to say, I have seen a number of them enough times that they can be on as background or I can stumble across them on television, and I will know exactly what is going on. I particularly like much of Reese Witherspoon’s rom-com oeuvre, especially _Legally Blonde_ and _Sweet Home Alabama_. (obviously, two of her stronger roles, _Election_ and _Freeway_, are decidedly not chick flicks) And of course, the quintessential chick flick chick is Meg Ryan. _When Harry Met Sally_, _You’ve Got Mail_, _Sleepless in Seattle_, and the weepy _City of Angels_. I am proud to admit an unabashed love of one chick flick in particular, and one of the less known ones, [It Could Happen To You](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110167/). I am man. With a softer side. ---
**Author:** ![Push\_You\_Down](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/push_you_down/32/9095_2.png) [@Push\_You\_Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Push_You_Down)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2006, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-chick-flicks/369016/11 "2006-08-16T23:41:47Z")
I really like City of Angels, that one with Ashley Judd and Hugh Jackman I remember liking it but I saw it on tv recently and it sucked. That’s probably it. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2006, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-chick-flicks/369016/12 "2006-08-16T23:54:26Z")
> [@Push You Down](#): > > I really like City of Angels, that one with Ashley Judd and Hugh Jackman I remember liking it but I saw it on tv recently and it sucked. > > That’s probably it. **Someone Like You** which the highlight was Hugh Jackman and the nonexistant plot. Another chickflick: **Kate & Leopold** another Jackman drool fest. Jackman is my next husband. Just so’s yanno. **10 things I hate about you** Heath Ledger goodness. (All around very good flick, IMHO.) **Hugh Grant Film Festival Anyone? Hugh has to be the King of Chick Flicks.** **About a Boy** Almost as good as the book. **The Englishman who went up a hill and came down a Mountain.** \*\*Four weddings and a funeral \*\* **Love, Actually** The best Hugh Grant one to date. **Bridget Jones diary** and the sequel. Both are just yummy girl flicks. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2006, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-chick-flicks/369016/13 "2006-08-16T23:57:59Z")
I typically stay away from them, but I found **Strictly Ballroom** curiously appealing. ---
**Author:** ![BabaBooey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dfb087/32.png) [@BabaBooey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BabaBooey)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2006, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-chick-flicks/369016/14 "2006-08-17T00:18:06Z")
I liked the aforementioned About a Boy, but my favorite chick flick has to be **The Apartment** , unless Princess Bride counts as one. ---
**Author:** ![Throatwarbler\_Mangrove](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8c91f0/32.png) [@Throatwarbler\_Mangrove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Throatwarbler_Mangrove)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2006, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-chick-flicks/369016/15 "2006-08-17T00:18:34Z")
Ooohh ooh, how can I forget **Love, Actually**? Also **Dirty Dancing - Havanna Nights**. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2006, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-chick-flicks/369016/16 "2006-08-17T01:19:30Z")
I liked **Titanic** , which meets the definition of chick flick. That’s about it. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2006, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-chick-flicks/369016/17 "2006-08-17T01:23:28Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > **Shakespear in Love** is one of the best films of the past ten years, and, next to **Crash** , the most deserving Best Picture Oscar winner. :eek: :head explodes: ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2006, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-chick-flicks/369016/18 "2006-08-17T01:42:33Z")
What, no one has mentioned _Return To Me_? I was so lucky in the three years I dated someone platonically, going to a movie each week, that he loved chick flicks as much as I did. We saw all the action/adventrue sci-fi cop stuff too, but with that nice balance of fluff and feel-good-ness. ---
**Author:** ![supervenusfreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@supervenusfreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/supervenusfreak)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2006, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-chick-flicks/369016/19 "2006-08-17T02:01:43Z")
I’m gay so liking chick flicks is like a second nature to me. 😉 Actually I came in here to recommend a couple of classic woman’s movies that I love. **Stage Door** and **All About Eve**. Great casts. Fine direction. Amazing dialogue. 'nuff said! ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2006, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-chick-flicks/369016/20 "2006-08-17T02:43:08Z")
Do women-in-prison movies count as chick flicks? 🙂 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-chick-flicks/369016.md?page=2)