A chick flick?
Sow this movie on the "50 Greatest Chick Flicks list" and I was like "huh?". Can this movie be considered a chick flick, and if so why?
shareThere are a lot of layers to the movie and because of those layers you have subjects jumbled up on one another causing stress of what looks like they put upon themselves.
I'm a man, so what I say could be completely wrong. But it seems women are more natured to go out of their way to try to help others and often times putting others before themselves thus leading stressful lives.
Now I'd imagine they'd feel that same anxiety by turning a blind eye to people that could use their help even though they don't ask for it so it isn't as easy as it would appear.
Then it also deals with social status of women appearance and how they uphold themselves publicly through their looks, behavior, sexual promiscuity, ect.
Really none of which men can really relate to first hand but its something many women carry with them at all times.
And then there is the persecution of gay relations especially so in years past which I'd imagine is relatable to gay viewers regardless of their gender. Another point that doesn't particularly apply to me.
Now as a male viewer, I most related to Jeff Daniels character, Louis in the scene where he comes to visit Clarissa. Clarissa starts having a meltdown, Louis is taken back, somewhat confused yet sympathetic, but willing to problem solve by asking what he can do to remedy the situation. Clarissa with no real give either way, Louis pretty much throws his hands in the air and washes himself of the situation, JUST LIKE THAT.
He moved on with something within minutes. While the women depicted in this film carry these burdens on them for their ENTIRE LIVES by living these double lives.
Respectfully, i have to say Maximus is speaking for Maximus, not for men. I have watched this movie 5 times. It is primarily ABOUT women, but the term "chick flick" is a limiting one. Sex and the City might be a chick flick. Or Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. But there are plenty of movies about women that transcend some pigeonhole like "chick flick". This is one of them. I think "great movie" is descriptive enough.
shareYes it is a chick flick! And most chicks won't even like it! First, you need to have the patience of Job to sit through this movie (or watch it in bits and pieces, over several days). Secondly, it helps to be Lez, although gay men who are also movie buffs might possibly be interested, although I doubt it.
I did manage to enjoy this film (after watching one scene several years ago- the Jeff Daniels/Meryl Streep scene, great stuff) then the rest of the movie (in two parts) over the last seveal days. I enjoyed it because Meryl Streep was reprising her role as 'the Lez' from Woody Allen's "Manhattan." They look exactly alike! Hard to believe 'Manhattan' was made in 1979! Hard to believe that Meryl Streep looks so fab after all these years! (And that's why she gets the big buck$)
Don't be an imbecile. Just because you didn't like the film doesn't mean one has to be overtly patient, gay, or female to like it. It was a beautifully haunting film, and one of the best book-to-movie adaptations I have ever seen. The first time I watched it, I couldn't WAIT until I got the chance to see it, again. It was powerful, understated, moving, emotional, and poignant. If what you want is something lighter and more jovial, you've come to the wrong place.
shareThe OP's question was simply, "Was this a chick flick?" The answer is 'yes.' ie Who else would pay money to watch it?
Most movies nowadays (this was made in 2003) are produced from the very beginning to appeal to international audiences (non-English speaking), so they are very heavy into rude slapstick humor, raunchy sex, things that go boom, shoot-em-ups, fantasies (like 'Inception,'), video games ('Avatar.')
ChickFlick ChickFlick ChickFlick ChickFlick ChickFlick ** Admit It.
It's not a "chick flick." A "chick flick" is the same as a "romcom," except with marketed even FURTHER towards women in the 18-49 demographic. Chick flicks are lighthearted, not haunting. Just because the thematic elements were over your head, doesn't mean you have to disparage the film. It's obvious that the shortcoming is on YOUR part, for not being able to understand or appreciate this piece of art.
Would you call "The Queen" a "chick flick"? What about "The Pianist"? I don't recall seeing any of those specifications in either of those films, yet both were critically acclaimed, financially successful, and NOT "chick flicks." Most films are made to cater to SPECIFIC audiences, not every person in the entire world. Summer blockbusters? Sure, Hollywood wants a large chunk of people to go see those, but during Oscar season (and throughout the rest of the year and the rest of the world), that's not the point. The point is to tell a story. People that enjoyed the novel, people that enjoy the actresses, people that enjoy dramas and historical pieces, films with interwoven vignettes, THAT is who this film was made for.
"Chick flick" is the term used by small-minded imbeciles who can't fathom anything deeper than "American Pie" or "Dude, Where's My Car?"
My definition of 'a chick flick' is simply a movie in which no male, gay, straight, or undecided would want to go see at a theater. Some chick flicks are very good, very funny (Romy & Michele's High School Reunion), some are distressingly serious (The Hours, but getting a guy to go see either of them: fuggedaboutit. It doesn't matter if 'the boy,' is your date or your cousin from Columbus, Ohio. They would not wantto see it. You would have to beg them to go with you, and maybe pay for their ticket, too.
A gay man might want to see {b]The Hours [/b], but only if he heard that both Jeff Daniels and Ed Harris have wonderful gay roles. Then when they found out that Ed Harris jumps out of a window because he is so depressed over his illness - at that point they would get up and leave the theater. In the real world, gay men have little interest (or no interest) in 'women's problems.' They don't like seeing women smooch other women, either.
Romantic comedies are made for female audiences. That's why there are so many gross-out comedies made for men: buddy flicks with raunchy language and 'bad behavior.' For example: The Hangover, The Hangover II.
Further, 'American Pie' shouldn't be considered in the same category as "Dude,Where's My Car." Personally, Comtessa, I would like to know what category you would place "Freddy Got Fingered."
You should really rethink your broad generalizations. All the gay men I know love women. Most of them love films like this, because they tend to be deeper and more intellectual. I am a gay man, and I wanted to see this movie, not because of any gay roles whatsoever, but because I was hooked from the trailer, bought the book, thoroughly enjoyed it, and knew I had to see its adaptation. I love films about "woman's problems." Look through my DVD library and you'll see Girl, Interrupted, The Hours, Foxfire, Vera Drake, The Piano Teacher, Story of Women, Gia, and any number of similar titles. Just because gay men suck cock and balk at the idea of eating a vagina, doesn't mean they don't like female-centric films. It's quite the opposite, actually.
And I don't know what homos you know, but none of the ones I know are up in arms over seeing two women kiss. Lesbians are our sisters, our aunts, our mothers - we enjoy seeing them happy.
In closing, I kindly ask you to get your head out of your ass.
I was just pointing out the fact that the gay men I know (in a gay-centric area located in the Peninsular State)are completely indifferent to females - girls/women are irrelevant to their own sex lives. Gay men are really in to their own lives, trials and tribulations, and especially, as you noted, their sex lives.
In the list of movies you cited as part of your 'collection,' you forgot to mention "Bound," "Showgirls," "The Hunger," "The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant," or "Personal Best." And you forgot to mention that you actually own the entire series set of 'The L Word.' (That is becz I bet you did not watch even one episode of 'The L Word.')
No, I didn't watch much of The L Word (I have seen numerous episodes over the years), but that's because I was too busy watching "Bad Girls" and "Roseanne." I don't watch TLW for the same reason I ditched "Queer As Folk"- poor writing, predictable storytelling, and heavy-handed melodrama. "The L Word" is not in any way, shape, or form good or necessary television. It's fun fluff for people who enjoy that type of program, but I'm not one of them.
You say "gay men are really into their own lives," as though every gay man cares only about himself, what is bothering him, and who he's sleeping with. Sorry dear, that's as inaccurate as saying all black folks eat fried chicken or all Asians cook cats.
No apostrophes necessary around collection, since it is a real thing, not imaginary. I've assembled it painstakingly over time. But do tell me, again, how I don't care about women - just save it until after I've finished watching "The Children's Hour."
Oh, and P.S. just because those gay men don't want to sleep with a woman, doesn't mean they are indifferent to them. Completely different thing.
shareYes they are indifferent. I wrote a long diatribe, but it took so long to post and edit, I got kicked off this message board! I am too tired to re-do it now.
shareBeing indifferent implies that they do not care about them whatsoever, that they would see a woman they know get hit by a bus and not be fazed in the least. This is not true. Not every gay man in the world only cares about himself. Being self-absorbed isn't something linked to who you sleep with, it can happen to anyone, but it does not happen to every single person of a certain sex and sexual orientation.
I know you're just trolling, but you're being disgustingly homophobic and sexist. It's a shame you feel the need to group millions of people into a single, narrow definition.
Miss LaRue, I really wanted to give you a full and complete answer to 'gay men do not care about women at all,' but it goes into way too much real world biog info. All that belongs on some other kind of board. One of the anecdotes I wanted to tell involves the several years I lived in an 8-unit apartment bldg in a very gay part of a very gay area. I was the only female in the bldg, and friends with one of the male 'couples.' Most of the other tenants were single gay men.
This is typical of their conversations: what was going on at the (gay gym), the gay pickup bar down the street, the gay leather/levi/uniform bar a bit further down the street or at other misc gay venues. A tiny bit (very tiny) concerned happenings 'the workplace,' then much talk about movies, TV shows, clothes, fashion, and hunky-men-in-general. Lots of booze and plenty of brawling.
They lived in a world without women! So if any of them did happen to see a woman cross the street and get run over by a car, they probably wouldn't even have mentioned it unless it made them late for work that day.
You clearly have a very small-mind. Women have all the same conversations, as do straight men. People like to talk about what they do and what they know. Everyone talks about that great movie they saw the previous weekend, how amazing that season finale was, what a gorgeous man/woman/whatever they saw walking down the street. Just because someone takes no sexual interest in a group of people, it does not mean they take no interest, whatsoever.
shareOkay, Miss LaRue, then here is another anecdote, about my gay male cousin, 'Toby,' who was born here in 1946 and who has lived a very long successful gay life. For twenty years or so he has lived in Brazil because neither Florida, San Francisco, Hawaii, etc were 'gay enough.' He told me he originally had to escape 'here' to get away from his mother.
Anecdote: one day a few years back, a group of us cousins were having an alfresco lunch in Coconut Grove, and a very beautiful woman in a provocative outfit walked past. This babe had such gigantic boobs that all of us did an involuntary double-take. "Oh, you see a lot of that around here, he said in complete disgust.
P. S. Don't know if Cousin T has seen 'The Hours' but I might email him to find out his opinion of it.
So because he was disgusted by someone walking around with their boobs out, it means he only cares about men? Hardly. In fact, it killed your point that gay men don't notice women. If he knew that that was a common occurrence, he OBVIOUSLY notices women.
share[deleted]
My point was, Cousin T, like so many older gay men, only want to see hot young men, and if a hot young woman walked by, it would just aggravate him. Which it did. I wrote, then deleted another anecdote - too personal. The best evidence is always just too personal.
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Many years ago ago Cousin T mentioned (slyly) the lez scene or scenes from 'The Hunger,' with Sarandon and Catherine DeNeuve. Do you know I still have not seen it! What did you think about it? I don't think anyone considers 'The Hunger' a 'chick flick,' unlike 'The Hours.' So, Comtessa, why do you think that is so?