The Top Ten “Chick Flicks” Men Like

10. Working Girl

Working Girl is in a way a modern day Cinderella epic, except in this tale Cinderella isn’t after Prince Charming, he is after her and she’s after the job, the power, and all the comes along with it.  When Katherine poses as her obstacle to succeed Tess requires no fairy godmother to save her, she “makes it happen”.  When she initially meets her Prince Charming (Harrison Ford) she tells him she, “has a head for business and a body for sin” acknowledging and embracing her feminine beauty but making it clear she’s in control.  That was classic writing in a film with ten other lines just as brilliant. Working Girl has all the elements for the makings of a real romantic comedy, but I think it crossed the barrier into a dramatic film that simply had some funny parts with a romance as a sidebar.  With an enigmatic screenplay by Kevin Wade this film sets itself into a world all of it’s own.

9. Lost In Translation

Lost In Translation is not shot or written like any other film out there. The story itself is so uniquely represented and developed and the story of Bob and Charlotte and the unravelling of their connection and relationship never seems forced or uncomfortable. It’s very clear how the two become so close when they are so different. The love the two develop is not one of lust, nor even one of friendship, it’s based on a common understanding. Sofia Coppola brilliantly writes these two together. The subject manner is left so open that just about anyone can relate to it if they look deep enough.  The casting of Bill Murray as Bob was the final touch to a perfectly drawn picture. The sweetness that is Bill Murray and his ability to draw out even the most subtle humour in a very serious situation stopped the film from being a drama with no spice. Bill Murray added the lightness that made the film not feel so heavy, even with the storyline behind all the action. His co-star Scarlett Johansson was the perfect coupling. Youthful and wide-eyed herself, she seemed so fresh and new onscreen, and her chemistry with Murray flourished onscreen.

8. Bridget Jones Diary

Even though Renee Zellweger’s physical attractiveness is dulled down as she gains thirty pounds for the role of Bridget Jones, there is something inherently sexy about her.  It’s no surprise that Hugh Grant and Colin Firth both fall in love with her, so why shouldn’t a male audience?  Women can relate to her and men find her infectious with her voluptuous curves and insatiable personality.  She is the epitome of the girl next door, so while us ladies are relating to her, you men realize Bridget Jones could be your neighbor, perhaps without the British dialect.  Either way there is something palpable about the characters and the comedy mixed in with the romance is the complete balance, making this a film for women and for men.  In honesty, I’ve heard more men claim to love this movie than women.  So my question, do you guys really love this movie, or is it just a crush on Bridget Jones?

7. Overboard

Though Overboard falls into the category of romantic comedy the early shot of Goldie Hawn’s rear end gives you an idea this may not be your typical love story.  There is all sorts of cases of mistaken identity and confusion, but behind it all is a genuine connection between Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn , as I guess it should be since they are a couple in real life.  Overboard will have you laughing hysterically at the ridiculous nature of the story, but you will also find a natural development between the two main characters that makes the irrational and over the top ending worthwhile.  This is one of the best in the genre of romantic comedy and will offer laughter for years to come.

6. Say Anything

When you hear guys answer what their favorite love story is, you almost always hear Say Anything with John Cusack.  Written by the brilliant Cameron Crowe, it’s no surprise the mans man and the talented writer managed to make this film appeal to guys.  If Lloyd had been played by anyone else we might have thought he was a weirdo, or even a stalker, but  Cusack in all his charming brilliance wins us and even Skye’s over-protective father over.  Crowe wrote this when he was twenty-one and had the maturity of someone much older, but the insight of the young.  This is a movie that still resonates today, but has the diversity to capture the young and old, girl and guy.  It’s a great date movie.

5. An Officer And A Gentlemen

Part of me wonders if this film was a romance specifically written for men.  It’s a great crossover from romantic love story to a boy essentially coming into manhood.  There are parts both men and women can relate to, but also realistic themes that apply to each sex, and the barriers they have to overcome.  Gere plays what is one of his best performances, a man cut off from his emotions, from a life being shunned from his father, and recovering from his mothers suicide.  Though he falls for Winger’s character “Paula”, he mentally resists the urge to show her vulnerability.  Pushed by his Drill Sergeant to become a good soldier, he also learns to be a good and strong man.  When he realizes what that means, we have that romantic ending that has now turned into a cliche moment, but it was this film that started the cliche.  This film is tough enough for guys, and wistful enough for women.  A real great crossover for both.

4. Jerry Maguire

Jerry Maguire has a large appeal because it’s so versatile.  The romance is not over the top, the comedy borders slap stick but never crosses that line, and the dramatic performances are there, but the level of sweetness and fun never extinguishes completely.  It’s a film that balances complex character structures, explores different film genres together as one, and also entertains on a level that just about anyone could connect with.  It was undoubtedly one of the best films of 1996.  Jerry Maguire is about finding yourself and finding love.  Not just love in a relationship, but a passion and joy for existing and doing what you are inspired to be.  It’s about being able to take pride in who you are, and being able to persevere over adversity and being able to be successful in a corrupt system, and still chasing your dream.  This is a motion picture that is absolutely infectious.  I adore Jerry Maguire, and so will you.

3. The Wedding Singer

It might be an Adam Sandler movie, and though Sandler is known for his more offensive humor, he hit a home run with The Wedding Singer in the category of romance and comedy.  A perfect balance of sweetness, genuine adoration between the main characters, and comedy make this film one of a kind.  As predictable as the plot may be, you don’t ever have the sense that you are being manipulated because of the authentic performances by Sandler and Barrymore.  Each display a truly human vulnerability showing the fears of love, and the anxiety of losing love, while making you laugh as often as it makes your heart tingle.  Because of it’s ambiguity in the romance and comedy, it really does have appeal to both men as well as women.  The Wedding Singer is by far one of my personal favorites when it comes to romantic comedies, and definitely a favorite on this “Chick Flicks Men Like” list.

2. The Princess Bride

The Princess Bride is structured around the idea that love conquers all. But in this story of giants, coward princes, men with extra limbs, sword fights, torture, revenge, bandits, pirates, heroes and true love it’s told through a realm of comedy along with it’s epic scope. With a perfectly structured cast and fantastic screenplay it is entirely conceivable. Wesley’s unconditional love for Buttercup enables us to believe that love has no boundaries. And Buttercups conviction that he will rescue her from her fate as Humperdinks wife is unwavering. The final sword fights are meticulously choreographed and are one of the most exciting and technical ever on film. Rob Reiner captures the perfect balance of action with comedy while giving the film it’s overall feel of utter sweetness.

1. High Fidelity

I guess the main reason this has such an appeal to the male audience is because it IS from the male perspective about a grown man who hasn’t quite grown up, but the realistic contemplation about the relationships he’s had, why they didn’t work out, and what makes the girl he’s with now, “the one”.  Instead of the typical “chick flick” the end doesn’t resolve in a happily ever after, but the idea of a new beginning is there.  There is great comedy and typical Cusack moments, who is so cool, what guy wouldn’t want to be him and what girl wouldn’t want to date him, even knowing his shortcomings?  What makes High Fidelity so great is partly great dialogue, writing, and the music, but mostly Cusack .  He’s the man every guy wants to be if romance and comedy are thrown together in a cinematic creation.  This movie is a great piece of cinema, male or female.

Honorable Mentions: Meet Joe Black, The Bodyguard, Charlies Angels, Thelma And Louise, Grease, Bird On A Wire, When Harry Met Sally, St. Elmos Fire, The American President, Bull Durham, Cocktails

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