Changes in chick flicks reflect changes in society | The Roosevelt ...

Isabelle Gubas

With the winter season upon us, and the rainy outdoors looking much less appealing, it isn?t an uncommon sight to see a group of girls bundled together on a couch, watching a classic romantic comedy to pass the time. This is not a new trend; from Dirty Dancing in 1987 to Mean Girls in 2004, ?chick flicks? have been captivating audiences for decades.

There are similarities between most movies of this genre, with common themes of love, loneliness, and passion. Sophomore Allison Cosca-Baresh shared, ?The girl has to have a guy. She might be independent, but her happiness depends [on having that perfect guy].?? However, as our culture has changed, significant differences have arisen between the gender roles and cultural norms depicted in these movies. Was it our culture that changed the movies, or the movies that altered the norms of our culture? ?

In many of these classic love stories, the prominent couple was portrayed in an equal relationship. The man and woman were in it together as dual players of the story. They had similar screen time and neither the man nor the woman had the upper hand in the relationship. No room was ever given for anything new or different to happen other than a happily-ever-after ending.

Despite this sense of equality between the two main characters in classic movies like ?Breakfast at Tiffany?s? (1961), there were also gender-specific stereotypes that have shown through in these older chick flicks. In ?Breakfast at Tiffany?s? for example, the man is portrayed as more of the firm, smart partner in the relationship, while the woman seems ditsy in comparison. As time has passed, however, these stereotypes have significantly changed as they have evolved to make new possibilities available for couples.

Over the years, the pre-teen through middle-aged women audience of these movies, has seen dramatic alterations to the value system and gender roles of the romantic comedy genre.

When ?Legally Blonde? was produced in 2001, the previously idealized theme of a man and a woman sharing the spotlight was thrown out the window. In its place stood the idea of the woman taking control, becoming the dominant leader of this genre. ?Often now it is the woman who is the high powered person,? said Psychology, Health, and Independent Living teacher Wendy Arness. ?[This has] changed because now in American society, in 40 percent of relationships the woman is the top earner.? The American value system has changed drastically over the past 50 years. ?The movies are reflecting that,? Ms. Arness explained.

This new, modernized way of thinking that has been so clearly represented within these more recent chick flicks, could be cause for some debate. Do these movies open the doors to new possibilities, or do chick-flicks simply give girls the wrong messages about relationships?

?I think that it opens up new opportunities and variable options for people,? Ms. Arness shared. Due to the greater variety of values represented in these new movies, the possibilities for relationships are endless. For example, the recent film ?Friends with Kids? (2011) embraces the idea of having a child with someone without the ?complication? of marriage. ?Friends with Benefits? (2011) is another example of a chick flick that represents values that vary radically from the more classic movies. For some, the fact that these options are being promoted is a really good thing, because relationships don?t always have to be the same way that they were in the past. For others, the modern chick flicks give off the opposite message.

?If you are always watching chick flicks you may get an idea of how a relationship is supposed to be, when in reality people should decide that for themselves,? said Cosca-Baresh. Movies like ?The Notebook? (2004) or ?Twilight? (2008) can give viewers an idea of the theoretical ?perfect relationship,? which is unrealistic.

Romantic comedies have evolved drastically over the past 50 years. The old, happily-ever-after movies that told stories of a smart man and ditsy woman are long gone. In their place all sorts of opportunities are represented in movies about a woman and her quest to survive her love life. The recent changes in movies reflect changes in our society that open doors to many new possibilities for relationships, and our love lives, in the future.

Source: http://www.therooseveltnews.org/changes-in-chick-flicks-reflect-changes-in-society/

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