Chick Flicks Guys Might Like Too

[sir archely]

So, the title of the thread says it all. I'm wondering if anyone can provide some good examples of movies that one could reasonably classify as "chick flicks" that have some redeeming qualities for typical guy viewers. Obviously, the thread is all about extreme amounts of generalization and stereotyping, so no cheating and saying you know this really sensitive guy who loves The Notebook (or any other Nicholas Sparks trash), or that your girlfriend adores action flicks.

I can't think of any off the top of my head, though they must exist. Part of what prompted me to ask is that I just finished sitting through the crapfest of The Holiday. I sincerely hope that the actual intended aim of that movie was to provide a satirical look at the way Hollywood cranks out fluff pieces with very little substance or plot. Ugh.

Anyway, the gauntlet has been thrown. The challenge: give me some movies that can be called chick flicks, but still have guy appeal.

[dark fuschia]

oooh I like this thread... as I am not immune to the charms of chickflicks, but also not entirely unembarrassed about it. I am always on the look out myself for some of the more redeeming ones in the genre.

And yes, I watched the holiday and thought it was awful... but still rather enjoyed it. I think it was all the locations, the nice shoes/clothes and Jude Law being all handsome and guy next doorish. I am aware there was no actual plot...

There are also some really revolting offensive ones out there though that make me really upset, basically anything that stars Matthew McConaughy...

But there are also some harmless charmers, and even some that are quite clever. Ones that have something for guys too though? That's a tricky one... Let me think. I definately have to eliminate alot from my list of favourites. Here's what is left:

Truly Madly Deeply
Strictly Ballroom
When Harry Met Sally
Annie Hall
Stranger than fiction
Vertigo
About a Boy (this is a chick flick all about men...)
Moonstruck

I actually think Adam Sandler does an okay chickflick too with 50 dates and The Wedding Singer

[Amelia]

I liked The Holiday but only the parts with Jack Black/Kate Winslett/Max.....hated Cameron Diaz in this movie, with all her woofing and puffing, she was annoying. Jude law was just there for eye candy. Should have just put his picture in the corner of the movie and that would have made me happy.

I think Wedding Singer would fall in a category that both men and women would like. Maybe Sleepless in Seattle? They have the male perspective in that too. Is Tin Cup a chick flick? Kevin Costner and some actress I cant remember.

I will need to think of this some more.

[dark fuschia]

lol I love the idea of just putting someones photo in the corner during a movie. Sometimes it really does ammount to that...

[Corvus Corax]

Is Lost in Translation a chick flick?

[dark fuschia]

You know I just realised this thread is an oxy moron give that the definition of chick flicks kind of is that they make guys shudder in horror and run for the hills... makes me think my list is possibly not strictly defined as chick flicks...

I am not sure what Lost in Translation is... I think I wouldn't class it as a chick flick, although now that I think of it I suppose it is kind of borderline.

[sir archely]

Well okay. So we'll go off a definition of chick flick from wikipedia:

Chick flick is a slang term, often used pejoratively, for a film mainly dealing with female characters and designed to appeal to a female target audience.[1][2] Although many types of films may be directed toward the female gender, "chick flick" is typically used only in reference to films that are heavy with emotion or contain themes that are relationship-based (although not necessarily romantic as many other themes may be present). This term is also applied to films with significant crossover appeal to other, more general audiences, such as Titanic (which was highest-grossing film of all time until 2009).

Although there are serious flaws with this definition as well. Such as, are there really guys who like Titanic?¹ Though, the most important points are just the fact that the film is "heavy with emotion" and "relationship-based". I would add to that definition the need for a happy ending. Usually that means girl/guy gets girl/guy. Perhaps the best definition is simply: you know it when you see it.² Though it doesn't seem to me like those things are mutually-exclusive with say, action. Is the problem that a chick flick doesn't work for a majority of the target women audience if action elements are present?

When Harry Met Sally seems to be on a lot of the lists I found online. As does Lost in Translation, Meet Joe Black, Thelma and Louise and Desperately Seeking Susan. I'm a little surprised to see Vertigo on df's list, because I wouldn't think of that as a chick-flick. Stranger Than Fiction is an excellent movie, I think that definitely wins the thread so far. The Adam Sandler suggestions are pretty good too.


¹ - Though I suppose one could argue that to make any chick-flick palatable for guys, all you need to do is have some woman in it, any woman, take her top off for a minute or so.
² - Let it be know that I think this definition in general is fairly idiotic. Though also notice this doesn't prevent me from using it.

[Amelia]

I was going to say if a chick takes her top off in a movie than it isnt a chick flick but in Love Acutally there are naked female breasts and it is a chick flick....I think.

How about Romancing The Stone? Chick flick with some action in it.

[night faerie]

The Holiday, ugh. An hour & 1/2 of my life lost forever.

Loved Love, Actually, didn't think of it as a chick flick, but I guess it was. Loved About A Boy, too, not so sure it'd appeal to men, tho.

Can I nominate The Princess & The Frog? It's on cable this month & chrono watches it every time it's on. Whether Peanut's awake or not.

[AquaFizz]

I just mentally went through my movies trying to think of chick flicks, but I guess I don't own that many.

I think Love, Actually is definitely a chick flick-It's super sappy. But I definitely think guys could/do like it. Same with Stranger than Fiction. That movie is just a really great, unique (I think) love story. You know, Elf is sort of the same way. I mean, it's very emotionally based...but it's hysterical.

I'm not sure about Lost in Translation being considered a chick flick. I mean, is it really about a relationship or is it about loneliness? ...maybe I need to watch it, again.

I was trying to think of some historical or literary chick flicks that a guy might like, but I can't think of any.

[Anita Blake]

Would Stardust count? I think of it as a chick flick because it's kind of a romance movie, and it's sort of girly, I suppose, but it's also just plain awesome.

I would nominate Penelope, with Christina Ricci and James MacAvoy, because it's also just plain awesome. Again, a fairy tale movie, a fun twist on the beauty and the beast kind of story. But let's just go ahead and assume that unless it's a fairy-tale movie, I'm not going to watch it myself. Because chick flicks make me want to die, usually.

But yeah, pretty much everyone should watch Penelope.

[Malcor Sylverwood]

Would Stardust count? I think of it as a chick flick because it's kind of a romance movie, and it's sort of girly, I suppose, but it's also just plain awesome.

If you can nominate Stardust, I'm going to nominate Princess Bride.

-Malcor "As you wish" Sylverwood

[Amelia]

Did I ever tell you all that I never got to talk to Cary Elwes when he stayed at the hotel. I was hoping he would call and request something so I could say "as you wish" to him but he never called me. He winked at the night auditor when he walked by but I never got to tell him "as you wish". I was so sad.

Anyway, I put Stardust and Princess Bride into Fantasy Movie catagory which both make and female watch. Wasnt Lost in Translation an indie movie? If so I put that movie in the Indie Movie catagory.

[AquaFizz]

Ohhh! Yeah! Penelope! What about 'Walk The Line?' Technically, it's a biography...but it's mostly about Johnny & June's love story, so I think it comes off as a chick flick sometimes. But, it's so good. So, SO good.

[Mike]

Speaking of Anne Hathaway... ~looks left and right and whispers~ I liked Ella Enchanted. A lot.