# Resolved(?) - Chick Flicks vs. Guy Flicks **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 9, 2002, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-chick-flicks-vs-guy-flicks/141519 "2002-12-09T14:58:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Avalonian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@Avalonian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avalonian)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2002, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-chick-flicks-vs-guy-flicks/141519/41 "2002-12-10T21:50:03Z")
By the way, I agree with **vibrotronica**. This is a great discussion. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-chick-flicks-vs-guy-flicks/141519/42 "2002-12-11T00:08:12Z")
Hey **Avalonian** and **Vibrotronica** definitely glad you like the discussion, too. Regarding the fact that not all films are CF’s or GF’s, I couldn’t agree more - I have mentioned this in a previous post to this thread. Your average CF or GF has a simple plot where winning vs. losing is reasonably clearly defined and easy to grasp. MANY films do not fit that category and/or are not focused on GF or CF. Now, Casablanca - that is an interesting question. It is a movie that should fit into GF vs. CF. Hmmmm…wow, very tough. Chick Flick because it is about relationships and romance; Guy Flick because the goal (sending Hans Conreid and Ilsa to America wins over love) is a thing not a relationship. That is probably why it is as great as it is - it balances them nicely. We discussed earlier how T2 succeeds on that level, too - although I wouldn’t put it in the same category of Casablanca for greatness. **Mycroft Holmes** , you asked about the African Queen. Boy, I am trying to remember that one in terms of plot specifics. Don’t they end up both falling in love and somehow destroying some German boat? I am inclined to remember this as a Chick Flick because I seem to remember that the mission they fulfill ends up being used to show just how far Bogie’s character has come to be worthy of Hepburn’s love, but again, I can’t remember the specifics… What’s interesting to me is that as we explore the basics that define CF vs. GF, people are demonstrating that some movies more fully embrace both that I had really considered… ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-chick-flicks-vs-guy-flicks/141519/43 "2002-12-11T02:26:11Z")
I agree with the original premise that a “chick flick” and “guy flick” have to fit certain “simplified” plot devices (actually, IMO, they can be complex in themselves, but MUST contain a lot of action, romantic and/or empowerment angst , respectively. I dont think that **Aliens** was at all a chick flick: it was partially a guy flick and partially one that transcended boundaries. After all, having a depth to a character, personality conflicts and resolutions pertain to “good” movies and not just “chick flicks”. However, I agree with the assessment that **High Fidelity** was a “chick flick for guys”. In fact, I thought the Exact Same Thing when I saw it! (of course, being a rabid music fan doesnt hurt.) I could relate to the protagonist more, especially how his mind works\*, so it was actually interesting to see how he attempted to resolve his problems. \*as in, relationship-wise, I think the same thoughts but dont actually say them or carry them out often. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-chick-flicks-vs-guy-flicks/141519.md?page=2)