Why are the male characters in chick flicks always so boring and 2D?

Chick flicks, also known as romantic comedies or romcoms, are a genre of film designed predominantly to appeal to women. According to definitions from dictionaries, a chick flick is a movie that caters mainly to a female audience, often dealing with relationships and love. These films are crafted with the intention of resonating with the sensitivities and interests of female viewers. However, the portrayal of male characters in these films has often been criticized for being one-dimensional and lacking depth.

Understanding the definitions

Let's start with the fundamental definitions:

A movie that appeals mainly to women A movie about relationships, love, etc., that attracts mainly women A film mainly dealing with love and romance designed to appeal to a female target audience

The most accurate definition in this context is the third one: a movie designed to appeal to women. However, it is often noted that these films are not typically written by women, which can lead to a discrepancy between the expectations of the female target audience and the actual content of the movie.

Categories of chick flicks

Chick flicks can be broadly categorized into two main types: girl power movies and romances.

Girl Power Movies

In girl power movies, male characters often serve as side characters and are not central to the plot. They may be mentioned in passing, like a MacGuffin, or never appear at all. These movies are more likely to be written by women and focus on the relationships and interactions between female characters, while male characters are rendered almost peripheral. Some examples include:

Beaches Thelma Louise The Woman King Hidden Figures The Help First Wives Club

If both of the first two actors mentioned are women, the movie is likely to fall into this category.

Romance Films

Romance films are a more general category and can range from serious, deep explorations of relationships to highly formulaic romcom films. Many romcoms are criticized for featuring boring and 2D characters, with unrealistic relationships and a lack of humor.

Examples of 2D Characters in Romcoms

For instance, in films like How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, the characters, particularly the main male character, are often underdeveloped. The plot follows a linear, predictable pattern that follows the formula of meet-cute, flaws, and reconciliation. This hampers the depth and authenticity of the characters and the overall narrative.

Challenges in Making Romcoms

The 90 to 120-minute time constraints common in romcoms make it challenging to develop fully fleshed-out characters. Consider a film like Die Hard, which manages to introduce a diverse cast within its 132-minute runtime. In contrast, romcoms often feature a limited number of characters, with the main focus on the romantic relationship and conflicts.

The formulaic nature of romcoms can result in a lack of originality and depth. Characters often follow a set pattern, making it easy to predict their actions and motivations. This predictability can be boring and fails to engage the audience on a deeper level.

Notable Exceptions

There are exceptions to the rule, particularly when romcoms are derived from classic literature. Adaptations of Jane Austen’s novels, for example, often benefit from their pre-existing following and fan base, which adds an extra layer of appeal to the film.

Another notable exception is romcoms that focus primarily on a male perspective. These films, while often limiting to a single female character, can provide unique insights into male-female dynamics, although they still struggle with underrepresentation of female characters.

Conclusion

Chick flicks, or romcoms, present a specific challenge in terms of character development, particularly for male characters. The pressure to fit into a formulaic narrative restricts the depth and complexity of these characters. Improving the quality of romcoms could involve greater diversity in storytelling, incorporating broader perspectives, and defying the predictability that plagues many films in this genre.