Movie Rant: Why I Dislike the Term 'Chick Flick'

Richard Gere and Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman

In the year since I got Twitter (@laura_grande13) I've become a bit obsessed. It has introduced me to a whole bunch of film fans from around the world and I'm grateful for it. It has also led to some interesting conversations, like the one I had earlier this week about the term "chick flick."

I recently got a comment from some guy who was writing in response to a tweet I wrote regarding the fact that I wasn't a big fan of the movie Love Actually and that I'd never actually seen The Notebook. The guy responded with: "Pfft. What kind of woman are you?" What the what?! Apparently, all women are expected to swoon over tales of romance and unrequited love. I guess we all love movies where a woman has to sweat it out for two hours before a guy finally admits that he loves her. Well, I never got the memo. I didn't say anything in response to the guy's tweet (which is very unlike me), but it irritated me to no end.

A few days later, I got into a Twitter discussion with a follower of mine about the term "chick flick" and we went back and forth discussing the reasons behind our intense dislike of the term (many other women, and some men, that I know also loathe the term). But before you say we're merely overreacting, hear me out.

First of all, I think "chick flick" shouldn't be classified as a genre (or sub-genre) -- most movies of this type arguably fall under the category of romantic comedy. Or even a romantic drama. A "chick flick" suggests that the film will likely be fluffy, formulaic, far-fetched and devoid of a decent script -- i.e. something only women will (and should) enjoy. It stereotypes women in terms of their sex, suggesting we all want the same things in life, i.e. marriage and kids. It's that assumption that only certain movies appeal to women and are, as a result, somewhat of a "lesser" film because of it.

That being said, I realize that not everyone objects to the "chick flick" label. I even know some women who use it themselves and don't find anything wrong with the term. But, I can't help my reaction towards it.

Gender specific genre terms are unnecessary. For example, Die Hard is an action movie -- it's not a "male action flick." Sure, most action films are lambasted by critics the same way romantic comedies tend to be (for a lot of the same reasons, too); however, an action film is never brushed off and dismissed with quite the same flippant attitude that comes with a movie labelled as a "chick flick." I think the label "chick" in and of itself to represent the female gender is derogatory, but that's a whole separate issue.

Naturally, there's our understanding that films are marketed to a specific target audience; obviously certain films will appeal to certain types of people. However, it should never be used to automatically assume an audience. But that is, unfortunately, what happens and the majority of the film-going public buy into it. For example, I love Die Hard but I really, really disliked Pretty Woman. So what does that mean? According to Mr. Twitter Guy, it means I'm not making a "regular woman" choice when it comes to films. But, what it really means is simply that I liked one movie more and didn't enjoy the other. That's it.

Bruce Willis in Die Hard

So, when I see a trailer for a movie starring Reese Witherspoon or Kate Hudson, they aren't "chick flicks", they are romantic comedies. And romantic comedies just aren't my cup of tea (with a few exceptions like Bridget Jones' Diary, for example). It's not because I'm rebelling against a stupid term, but because romantic comedies just aren't usually my bag, and that should be fine.

It's alarming how often movies that aren't even romantic comedies are considered "chick flicks" simply because the cast is mainly comprised of women, like The Help. Yet, male-dominated films, like something directed by Quentin Tarantino or Martin Scorsese, for example, are films, not "prick flicks" (as Gloria Steinhem wrote).

I know a couple of guys in my life who enjoy the odd romantic comedy (Notting Hill, in particular, comes to mind), yet you'd be hard-pressed to see them admit that outside of their circle of friends. And that's just silly. Why does one's gender have to be a factor in which films we like?

Like what you want to like. Watch whatever film you prefer. Despite the fact that the Hollywood studio machine tells us that certain films are geared towards specific audiences, don't buy into it. I'm tired of people assuming I love Julia Roberts' romantic comedies simply because I'm a woman (it happens more often than you'd think). My favourite film is The Godfather -- because I love film and I think it's a great one. But I also love An Affair to Remember and I still bawl when I watch Titanic.

Classic Film Review: An Affair To Remember

An Affair To Remember (1957) 
Starring: Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr
Directed By: Leo McCarey

"Winter must be cold for those with no warm memories ...we've already missed the spring."
~Terry McKay (Deborah Kerr)~

I'm not usually one to fall for films that come under the genre of romance. Of course, I have my exceptions; it's just that I find the large majority of the ones I've seen to be too sappy and saccharin for my taste. I like a dose of sour with my sweet. If I'm going to watch a film about romance, I prefer mine with a dose of reality.

An Affair To Remember is one of those exceptions, thanks in large part to its two lead actors. If any romance could carry me away on the wave of a gooey love affair, this would be the one. The film is, essentially, the original tearjerker romance that set the tone for the films of that genre that we see today.

Nicky Ferrante (Cary Grant) is a rich and handsome playboy who has everything handed to him on a silver platter. He is constantly surrounded by women who want to be with him and men who want to be him. Although engaged to an heiress, Ferrante travels to Europe alone for a trip. On his return ocean cruise that is bound for New York, Nicky meets nightclub singer Terry McKay (Deborah Kerr). Over the course of a few days, the two fall in love despite the fact that both are in long-term relationships back home. They struggle to keep their clandestine affair a secret but soon the whole ship finds out and the two fear the news may be discovered by their significant others' back home in New York. Before parting ways, the two agree that, if they both still have strong feelings for one another in six months time, they will meet at the top of the Empire State Building. However, a tragedy prevents them from reuniting and the two are left wondering if they will ever see each other again.

The chemistry between Grant and Kerr is undeniable -- the two flirt and fight with equally charming zeal. Whether playing coy with one another or openly professing their love, they make the viewer believe that these two wealthy people truly could fall in love as quickly as they did. Their initial denial of their feelings for one another only makes their attraction stronger. Grant and Kerr were both seasoned British actors; however, their inability to mask their natural accents while playing Americans was, at times, a little distracting. But, outside of that one (minor) issue, the film revolves around Nicky and Terry and the lovely performances of Grant and Kerr.

I found the film to be a series of highs and lows in terms of plotting. Despite its charming stars, An Affair To Remember is a little structurally uneven at points. For every lovely scene of character development (such as the wonderful extended scene where Nicky takes Terry to meet his sick grandmother) there is a distractingly unnecessary scene (the entire song and dance routine performed by the children that Terry teaches). The first half of the film is flirty and fun -- it's so enjoyable to watch Nicky and Terry get to know one another and struggle to keep their growing affection a secret from the gossip-seeking people aboard the ship. The film lags a bit in the second half when the two of them are separated. The script isn't strong enough to sustain the film if the two lead actors are apart. However, if nothing else, it does put the viewer on edge because we can't wait for the two of them to meet up again after so much time has passed.

The tragedy that prevents Nicky and Terry from meeting again six months after separating is exactly what you'd expect from those cliched romance films that insist on piling on the pain and strain of its two lovers. Back in 1957 I can see how this tragedy could have gripped an audience; however, watching it in 2011 is a little different. We've seen this plot device run into the ground -- a weak (although usually successful) attempt to manipulate audience emotion. Therefore, I had to try and watch it as though it were 1957, but the 2011 movie watcher in me rolled my eyes a little at the drama of it all. I found other moments in the film (such as that aforementioned scene with the grandmother) much more emotionally effective than the contrived tragedy that keeps Nicky and Terry apart.

However, something happens in the end to change the eye-rolling back into a genuine love for the film: Grant and Kerr make their final scene with one another work so well that you forget about the soggy, emotional drama that pulled them apart in the first place and just rejoice in the fact that you get to see them share the screen again. That type of magic doesn't happen in every film. The combination of talented actors and their natural chemistry with one another is what helps raise An Affair To Remember above and beyond your average, mediocre romantic film. As a result, it deserves its place as a Hollywood classic and not only for the influence it had on the romance genre, in general.

This is one of those "golden oldies" I really enjoyed, although I wouldn't list it amongst my overall absolute favourites.

FINAL GRADE: B+