Basic rules of a chick flick
Rule 1: There is no such thing as a sci-fi or horror chick flick. While fantasy can certainly be used in the storyline, movies that are dominated by technology and gore cannot be a chick flick.
Rule 2: A film cannot be a chick flick if the female goes to the movie to see her favourite male star, regardless of the content of the movie. Therefore female fans that went to see ‘Troy’ just to see Brad Pitt means that ‘Troy’ isn’t a chick flick.
Rule 3: A true chick flick cannot be a full-on comedy. For example "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days." It fits many of the criteria of a chick flick. The same may be said for Legally Blonde I and II.
So, what are the conventions of a chick flick?
1. The female lead must be a strong woman who faces adversity and overcomes it, usually by pure force of will.
2. There must be significant tragedy that the woman must overcome to reach her stronger self. In its simplest form, someone has to die, often the lead female, herself. Pretty Woman is the exception that does not prove this rule.
3. There must a love interest.
4. There may be no violence, war or fight scenes in a Chick Flick
5. There must be at least one moment where a character cries. The shedding of tears may be of sadness or happiness, but there must be crying.
I do have some questions about this information. You need to put on a link to the website it came from. Also, not sure if I agree with your Rule 2. Many women watch 'Dirty Dancing' to drool over the wonderful Patrick Swayze, just as plenty love to gaze at the stunning Richard Gere in 'Pretty Woman'. Are you saying these are not chick flicks?
ReplyDeleteAlso, your second Point 2 - I agree that there must be a significant crisis or loss, but not always (or even often) does someone actually die. Think 'Legally Blonde'. Oh, and 'Mama Mia'. Who does not watch this for Colin Firth and Pierce Brosnan, even if they're all getting a little 'distinguished' now? And no-one dies that I remember.