Chick-flicks have always been treated as an inferior ‘category.’ A clear ‘demarcation’ of sorts for the male and female sexes, action movies would be higher up the ladder while chick flicks remain a wrung lower on the movie ladder. While the former would attract audiences of all genders, chick flicks would solely remain for women, promising them adventures unfeasible in real life.
Not anymore though. According to recent trends, movies on women’s lives and adventures are receiving a lot more attention and support. And they have a lot of substance. It’s no longer an inconceivable dream of running away together (Thelma and Louise) or romance and drama (Love Actually) but a portrayal of their lives and problems and the unique approach women are forced to take in the absence of a fair and just system.
The success of the Bollywood movie Crew is a testament to the above. Based on the lives and adventures of three air hostesses working for a bankrupt airline whose owner is absconding from the law (everyone knows who it is IRL!), these women deal with everyday sexism, mistreatment in the hands of entitled passengers, and above all, no paychecks! Starring two actors in their 40s and 50s and one who is 30+, Crew is currently being hailed as a harbinger of a new era–parts written for older women actors and a revamp of what is perceived as a ‘chick flick’.
But, wait a minute! Do chick flicks deserve the stereotypical treatment meted out to them? Do they really have all drama, and no substance? Even though women were the target audience, didn’t chick flicks do way more than just portray women’s lives and romantic dilemmas? Apart from giving us Ryan Gosling, of course! Here’s a low down on the so-called chick flicks that are not just classics but highly recommended.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)
Probably one of the greatest romantic movies of all time, this Audrey Hepburn classic is a tale of moving on while dealing with bruises of the past that threaten to hamper a potential romance. Holly Golightly is everything a perfect socialite is expected to be. But the arrival of a wannabe writer Paul Varjak (George Peppard) changes everything. Based on Truman Capote’s novella of the same name, the protagonist is hailed as a woman with poignancy and an all-exuberant charm. Who can forget the iconic line: “People don’t belong to people.”
Little Women (2019)
Louisa May Alcott’s classic post-Civil War work is a classic in literature and movies. Several adaptations across ages have justified its essence, keeping it true to the ideas of women’s emancipation and changing world order. Greta Gerwig made it real and apparent to a whole new generation of women familiar with feminism, rape culture, and casual sexism without making it sound preachy and always emphasizing the power of choice. Each of the March sisters chooses a different path for themselves while critiquing society’s standards for women and marriage. The 1994 adaptation is as relatable as the 2019 one because, well, what has changed?
10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
This Heath Ledger-starrer completed 25 years in 2024 and fans are all nostalgic. A lot of people might remember this high school rom-com for its opinionated, fast-tongued female lead Kat (Julia Stiles) who did not give a damn about perceived notions of femininity and dating, in complete contrast to her sister. And who can forget that super emotional poem Kat recites towards the climax (a scene Stiles perfected in just one take with real tears)? She isn’t the quintessential girl waiting for a knight in shining armor and uses her sharp tongue to keep Patrick (Heath Ledger) at bay. Most importantly, she doesn’t shy away from protecting her self-esteem when she finds out the truth.
Bend It Like Beckham (2002)
An Indian American woman is willing to do whatever it takes to play professional football in a world dominated by men and controlled by the expectations of Asian parents. Gurinder Chadha brings the reality of Indian families and the wishes they harbor for their daughters to the forefront without making it sound too serious The movie won several prestigious awards around the world and earned nominations in major categories in several others including the Golden Globes. With an amazing star cast comprising the best Indian and American actors, the movie is a tutorial on global cinema, women’s sports, and women’s dreams and ambitions.
Miss Congeniality (2000)
A bit on the unrealistic side but poignant nevertheless, Miss Congeniality is a powerful reminder of the feminine expectations the world puts on women while making it increasingly tough for them to survive in one. Sandra Bullock delivers one of her memorable performances as an undercover FBI agent who enters a beauty pageant to prevent the event from being bombed. The painful realizations she has as she mingles with other contestants and comes across their struggles lead her to change her opinion and preconceived stereotypes. A commentary on beauty pageants and the contrasting world of law and enforcement, Miss Congeniality makes for a wonderful watch in a far more confusing world of 2024.
So, which of these will you break your preconceived notions with?
Article Courtesy of Neha Jha
Feature Image from ‘Crew’ via Reliance Entertainment