Chick flicks are my guilty pleasure. While some argue that they are poorly written, often exaggerated, and have over-the top unrealistic storylines, I still remain unfazed by their criticism because most movies are unrealistic to begin with (even documentaries sometimes stretch the truth!). The flack surrounding chick flicks is unfounded. Although I agree that some of them can be slightly problematic in their portrayal of women, there are still plenty out there that are harmless. So here is my list of favourite chick flicks for a girls night in!
1. 10 Things I Hate About You
As a kid who was born in the late nineties, I’ll admit that I didn’t get around to watching 10 Things I Hate About You until the 2000s despite its 1999 release. Despite this, I can argue that the protagonist, Kat, was one of the few female feminist leads on screen back then. Loosely based on Shakespeare’s Taming Of The Shrew, 10 Things I Hate About You is is a great film to watch for a girls night in. It features an ensemble cast and has feminist undertones. In spite of falling in love, Kat is here to show that she won’t take anyone’s shit!
2. My Big Fat Greek Wedding
Another great film to add to the list is My Big Fat Greek Wedding. As you might have already guessed from the name, the film’s protagonist, Toula, falls in love with a teacher named Ian and they plan to get married. There’s only one problem – he’s not Greek! Toula thus has to deal with the opposing views that her Greek family has on their relationship. Be sure to watch the film for some hilarious family drama and find out if Toula’s relationship with her non-Greek boyfriend ends up working out!
3. Bend It Like Beckham
Bend It Like Beckham is another great feminist film to add to the list. The film’s protagonist, Jess Bharma, is a teenager who lives in London and loves to play soccer. Her love for soccer is met with opposition from her strict Indian parents, who forbid her from playing organized soccer. Jess thus has to deal with their opposition while simultaneously finding ways to play without being found out. Things get even more complicated when she is scouted by Jules (Keira Knightley) to play for her semi-professional team and begins to have feelings for the coach. The film explores Jess’ passion for soccer and the opposition that women face when they pursue their passion for sports.
4. Legally Blonde
The film explores how, after being dumped by her long term boyfriend, the protagonist, Elle Woods attends Harvard Law School to try and win him back. The film explores her struggles as she manages to keep up with her strenuous coursework and vastly different social life. It also shows how she manages to overcome stereotypes and doubts that people hold about her because of her appearance and excels at Harvard.
5. Easy A
Based on Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, Easy A is about a high-schooler who lies about losing her virginity. One thing leads to another and after about a dozen lies, the protagonist, Olive, is now the school’s most notorious student and has to deal with the effects of her newfound popularity and reputation. The film is incredibly funny and Emma Stone’s portrayal of Olive is spot on.
This was just a list of some of my personal favorites. They are plenty more chick-flicks out there once you’re done with these. I agree that a lot of them don’t have amazing story lines but I can’t deny that they’re highly addictive and perfect for binge-watching. Have fun!
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