Why Men Can Enjoy So-Called "Chick Flicks" Too
A new wave of high-quality rom-coms about teenage girls, known by most men as "chick flicks", have shown why men shouldn't deprive themselves of exploring a genre full of entertaining films just because society's image warns not too
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| What teenager doesn't get on well with their parents? The cast of 'Blockers' (CREDIT: Universal) |
by Jack Linsdell
Back in the 1990s, the genre that was known crudely by most "red blooded, heterosexual, macho men" as the 'chick flick' was being hugely stereotyped by society, which despite the constant stream of soon-to-be classics, was suffocated it into submission. Arguably, this genre was launched (or at least popularised) with Audrey Hepbern's classic rom-com, Breakfast at Tiffany's in 1961, and by the late '90s, was birthing hits like Pretty Women, Notting Hill and Clueless which have since cemented themselves as adored classics, and help launched the careers of those like Julia Roberts.
But, due to society (correctly) catching up with new norms regarding gender and sexuality in the mid 2000s, the 'chick flick' genre became something for most men to avoid for a fear of being labelled as gay or some other derogative term for a women's private parts. If a so-deemed straight man was caught by his friends watching Notting Hill, he'd be in for years of bullying. Which really makes no sense, does it? I mean, how is watching a film about teenage girls (often made by women) an insult to your supposed man-hood? Anyway, with society claiming to be catching up, but in actual fact struggling to come to grips these new ideas having been so traditionally stuck in the past, the term "chick flick" became an insult to a genre of exceptionally fun and relatable movies.
So, it's refreshing, after a sabbatical of ten or so years, that high-quality "chick flicks" are making a welcome return. Not just that, but considering they are often made by women, this rebirth is helping the industry to slowly diversify, by giving those not a "white, middle-aged man" a credit on a screenplay or (god forbid!) a space behind the camera. In the last two weeks, I've caught up on several classic and recent movies that would be deemed "chick flicks" by too-proud men. Well, I've got something to tell those men. You're missing out on a whole genre of entertaining, well-made, sublimely acted and immensely relatable movies. Not just that, but by being like me, and wanting to see any type or genre of movie, as long as the story and characters look engaging, you open up your mind to new things.
Among the classics of the genre I've recently indulged, are the 1995 teen-comedy Clueless starring the talented Alicia Silverstone and a before-famous Paul Rudd (now Ant-Man), and 2004 Hilary Duff-starring A Cinderella Story. Both films happen to be modern (at the time of being made) retellings of classic stories. Clueless was written as a modern-day, re-shaping version of Jane Austen's Emma novel, whilst A Cinderella Story launched a series of films that took the beats of Disney's Cinderella story and retold it with new characters and modern twists. Both films feature delightful performances by their leading ladies (Silverstone and Duff), and potent, heart-warming characters who will remind you of the good in life. They are funny, emotional when needed, and overall, two clever, modern depictions of the angst that comes with being a teenage girl in society. I'm a man, and even I could relate to most of the situations on-screen. At the end of the day, we all share the same feelings and worries, regardless of gender, and we've all be teenagers. It's the timeless blend of comedy and quirky characters with flaws and emotions to deal with, that makes this genre a gold mine for entertaining, Friday-night movies. Also worth an honourable mention is the Sean Anders-penned She's Out of My League which is another one well worth your time.
In the last two years, we've also seen a resurgence in the genre, with Kay Cannon's directorial debut Blockers in 2018 and Justin Baldoni's Five Feet Apart last year. Firstly, Blockers is such a well-written and potent story which follows three parents who try to prevent their teenage daughters losing their virginity on prom night. It's funny, charming, hugely relatable, and with such a game cast (the trio of parents John Cena, Leslie Mann and Ike Barinhaltz) who get into all sorts of side-splitting antics, a thoroughly entertaining movie. The story is so well-told, with exceptionally plotted and developed character-arcs, that in amongst all the fun and light-hearted comedy, we get some real potent and emotional scenes. It's $90 million worldwide box office, shows us that maybe audiences (and by that I mean men) may, just may be starting to take a step out of their comfort zone and explore movies of this genre. I hope so.
Last year brought us the cystic fibrosis teenage rom-com Five Feet Apart, starring the always-excellent Haley Lu Richardson of Split and The Edge of Seventeen fame and a very game Cole Spruse. This movie is another example where a original, relatable and full-of-rounded-characters screenplay combines with one of the best film scores of last year and two sublime performances, to form what is (although heartbreakingly-beautiful) one of the best of last year. It brings the audience back to earth by reminding them how lucky they are to have lungs that work, whilst using it's key hook "two teens with cystic fibrosis fall in love but can't ever touch one another" as a device for natural tension, heart-warming comedy and relatable explorations. This is by far the most emotional of the "chick flicks" I've mentioned so far, but is another example where men are missing out on a well-told story just because their scared to break the traditional image of what a man is meant to be. Although, like Blockers, it's $91.5 million global cume suggests that things may be (slowly) changing.
My point is that when you take your "other half" to the cinema, and subject them to a violent action flick or a beyond-scary horror film (yes, I'm stereotyping, I know), maybe you should try doing the same when she suggests coming to see Blockers or Five Feet Apart. I hope so, and I hope you would realise that this genre of films may be made by women, about women. But, that doesn't mean only women have the right to enjoy them. Don't deprive yourself because society (which is evolving) says no. Enjoy a variety of movies because they look engaging. You watch a movie because it looks entertaining and interesting. Not because of your gender or sexuality. So, men around the world, stop using the term "chick flick". Instead, go to the cinema and watch them. Then, we can call them "for everyone-flick".
In the last two years, we've also seen a resurgence in the genre, with Kay Cannon's directorial debut Blockers in 2018 and Justin Baldoni's Five Feet Apart last year. Firstly, Blockers is such a well-written and potent story which follows three parents who try to prevent their teenage daughters losing their virginity on prom night. It's funny, charming, hugely relatable, and with such a game cast (the trio of parents John Cena, Leslie Mann and Ike Barinhaltz) who get into all sorts of side-splitting antics, a thoroughly entertaining movie. The story is so well-told, with exceptionally plotted and developed character-arcs, that in amongst all the fun and light-hearted comedy, we get some real potent and emotional scenes. It's $90 million worldwide box office, shows us that maybe audiences (and by that I mean men) may, just may be starting to take a step out of their comfort zone and explore movies of this genre. I hope so.
Last year brought us the cystic fibrosis teenage rom-com Five Feet Apart, starring the always-excellent Haley Lu Richardson of Split and The Edge of Seventeen fame and a very game Cole Spruse. This movie is another example where a original, relatable and full-of-rounded-characters screenplay combines with one of the best film scores of last year and two sublime performances, to form what is (although heartbreakingly-beautiful) one of the best of last year. It brings the audience back to earth by reminding them how lucky they are to have lungs that work, whilst using it's key hook "two teens with cystic fibrosis fall in love but can't ever touch one another" as a device for natural tension, heart-warming comedy and relatable explorations. This is by far the most emotional of the "chick flicks" I've mentioned so far, but is another example where men are missing out on a well-told story just because their scared to break the traditional image of what a man is meant to be. Although, like Blockers, it's $91.5 million global cume suggests that things may be (slowly) changing.
My point is that when you take your "other half" to the cinema, and subject them to a violent action flick or a beyond-scary horror film (yes, I'm stereotyping, I know), maybe you should try doing the same when she suggests coming to see Blockers or Five Feet Apart. I hope so, and I hope you would realise that this genre of films may be made by women, about women. But, that doesn't mean only women have the right to enjoy them. Don't deprive yourself because society (which is evolving) says no. Enjoy a variety of movies because they look engaging. You watch a movie because it looks entertaining and interesting. Not because of your gender or sexuality. So, men around the world, stop using the term "chick flick". Instead, go to the cinema and watch them. Then, we can call them "for everyone-flick".
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