All of us at some point have watched what society calls a “chick flick.” Whether we have been forced to watch it or it has been at our own will chick flicks seem to carry the same theme. They usually involve romance, some comedy and center around the life of a woman. This woman could be ill, crazy or funny but in some way woman are drawn to these types of movies. Some popular chick flicks are Hope Floats, A Walk to Remember and How to Lose a Guy in 10 days. These movies contain good looking women, men and romance.
This is a book about chick flick movies and how they have boomed over the past 20 years. It is made up of 12 essays and explains that as each movie is produced, it allows for the range that defines what a chick flick is to be expanded. The timeframe for the movie topics that are covered include the 1950’s to early 2000’s. The authors compare various movies in a unique style.
One movie comparison included Audrey Hepburn in the 1957 movie Funny Face and My Fair Lady from 1964 to the 2006 hit The Devil Wears Prada (O’Bannions, 2008). These movies are considered to be “makeover” flicks because the leading ladies go from one type of woman into one whose personality and style is new and different.
Some of these essays also address the issue of feminism which seemed to have played a large part in the making of this book. Other comparisons include postfeminism to postmenopausal passion (O’Bannion). The movies included for this are Steel Magnolias and Devine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood and how women can be equal and make a stand for themselves. The Postmenopausal movies are like Something’s Gotta Give which was addressed in one essay. The point of this essay is to explain how this type of story line with an older woman has brought about a new style of chick flicks.
One particular subject of interest that was included in this book was on the lesbian style films. The film Go Fish was compared to the traditional chick flick movies. Because the lesbian films are centered around the lives of women who are attracted to other women there is a totally different story line than the traditional chick flick. While the women can have similar personalities the situations and circumstances they deal with are diverse which make for an interesting turn of events and fan base.
The final type of movie that is described in this book are about those that include women in the military or those that hold a strong, masculine character role. These women are strong and portray to a crowd of men and women. This type of movie would include G.I. Jane.
This article was mind opening and gave good insight into what the book Chick Flicks is about. It is interesting to see the wide range of female movies that were made and comparison to each of them. To think chick flicks from the 1960’s had a similar storyline to those of today. Apparently the basis for a good chick flick is relatively the same other than a few minor details.
This is a book about chick flick movies and how they have boomed over the past 20 years. It is made up of 12 essays and explains that as each movie is produced, it allows for the range that defines what a chick flick is to be expanded. The timeframe for the movie topics that are covered include the 1950’s to early 2000’s. The authors compare various movies in a unique style.
One movie comparison included Audrey Hepburn in the 1957 movie Funny Face and My Fair Lady from 1964 to the 2006 hit The Devil Wears Prada (O’Bannions, 2008). These movies are considered to be “makeover” flicks because the leading ladies go from one type of woman into one whose personality and style is new and different.
Some of these essays also address the issue of feminism which seemed to have played a large part in the making of this book. Other comparisons include postfeminism to postmenopausal passion (O’Bannion). The movies included for this are Steel Magnolias and Devine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood and how women can be equal and make a stand for themselves. The Postmenopausal movies are like Something’s Gotta Give which was addressed in one essay. The point of this essay is to explain how this type of story line with an older woman has brought about a new style of chick flicks.
One particular subject of interest that was included in this book was on the lesbian style films. The film Go Fish was compared to the traditional chick flick movies. Because the lesbian films are centered around the lives of women who are attracted to other women there is a totally different story line than the traditional chick flick. While the women can have similar personalities the situations and circumstances they deal with are diverse which make for an interesting turn of events and fan base.
The final type of movie that is described in this book are about those that include women in the military or those that hold a strong, masculine character role. These women are strong and portray to a crowd of men and women. This type of movie would include G.I. Jane.
This article was mind opening and gave good insight into what the book Chick Flicks is about. It is interesting to see the wide range of female movies that were made and comparison to each of them. To think chick flicks from the 1960’s had a similar storyline to those of today. Apparently the basis for a good chick flick is relatively the same other than a few minor details.
References:
O’Bannion, C. M. (2008) Chick flicks: contemporary women at the movies. Journal of Popular Culture. October Vol. 41(5) p. 899 – 901
