The best chick flicks that guys will enjoy, too

By Brendon Lindsey
Tags: chick flicks, Valentine's Day

If you love watching movies like me, chances are you constantly end up dragging your girlfriend into watching something she really has no desire to. For example, Predator. To make up for that, my girlfriend and I have devised a system where I’ll pick one movie to watch, and the next movie we watch is up to her. That doesn’t mean you can’t help persuade things, though. (How you’ll do it is entirely up to you—I don’t want to be blamed if she catches on and ends up hitting you!)

To help you figure out which movies to convince her to watch as her choice, or to look like a great, sensitive guy when it comes to movie night picks, I’ve come up with a list of ten “chick flicks” that guys will actually enjoy. Just don’t EVER admit it, or you’ll ruin it. Hit the jump for the list and my reasoning behind it.

10. Mean Girls

Pre-crisis Lindsey Lohan stars in this teen comedy about teenage girls in high school and all that clique crap. She grew up in the African bush, but even that couldn’t prepare her for the challenges of being a girl in high school! Haha!

But seriously, she joins the popular group, realizes they’re asses, then eventually realizes she too is acting like a bitch, wants to change things for the better, etc. etc.

She’ll like: The whole high-school clique/drama thing, and Lohan’s standing up against it. It’s as straightforward as high-school comedies go, and women of all ages eat it up. Basically, it’s like Clueless but slightly smarter.

You’ll like: Other than all of the now-legal jailbait, the movie does offer a few great performances, particularly from Tim Meadows and the Janitor from Scrubs in their limited role. Despite the setting and plot, there’s also quite a bit of satire and humor in here that anyone who went to high-school can appreciate. (Of course, women will always appreciate it more.)

9. Serendipity

John and Sara happen to bump into each other while buying gloves for their own girl/boyfriend, and obviously since this is on the list kick it off. Sara decides it’s not right, though, and tells John they need to split up, and if it’s meant to be they’ll run into each other again someday. A few years later, both are about to be married, and both decide that they want to give fate one more shot. John asks his friend to help him track down Sara, and Sara postpones her wedding then takes her best friend from California to New York to search for John.

She’ll like: It’s pretty obvious what she’ll like. This is one of those “We’re meant to be together, darling, and nothing will change it!” movies. There’s enough near-misses for her to get mad they aren’t together yet, and the ending is so happy and sappy that she’ll be openly weeping while you wonder why she’s so sad.

You’ll like: Cusack is always good. It’s like a rule. If you can ignore the obvious things (like this wouldn’t be possible), then the movie’s enjoyable enough. Plus there’s Kate Beckinsale…

8. Say Anything

Back to back Cusack! Cusack plays a high-school grad set on winning a girl who doesn’t return his affections, and the approval of her father. She eventually falls for him as well, but her decision to study abroad in England and her father force her to never admit it. Cusack continues to attempt to make her his, though, and you can’t help but emphasize with the guy. This is also the movie that gave guys everywhere the surefire technique of blasting Peter Gabriel on a boombox outside of her window.

She’ll like: Lloyd and Diane’s improbably but palpable love, and the bumps in the road. What girl hasn’t dreamed of a guy who would go to the extent of Lloyd in order to win her over? This is also, without a doubt, the greatest teen romantic comedy of all time. And women love those.

You’ll like: Like I said: Cusack is ALWAYS good. You can’t help but root for the guy as he attempts to win the girl of his dreams against all odds. His acting is brilliant, and there’s plenty of moments where you’ll go from laughing with Lloyd to feeling sorry for him.

7. Moulin Rouge!

Moulin Rouge is the story of a burlesque dancer in Paris, and the writer who falls for her. Together they conspire with John Leguizamo to get a rich man to fund their play—a man who happens to fall in love with the leading lady. Of course, they have to play along, so what begins is a series of secret meetings and a few “This is our song” moments as the two secretly confess their love for one another. Oh, and the girl’s dying.

She’ll like: The dancing and musical numbers, and any of the boy-girl songs. “Come What May” is seriously one of the better original songs in any modern musical, and women just eat it up. The romance between Kidman and and Ewan McGregor is also extremely “ahhh” inducing. Plus despite their claims otherwise, all women love the cabaret stuff and always “Love seeing what it was like int hose times.”

You’ll like: The occasional mix of songs like Enter Sandman with the musical scenes. Luhrman did a great job of throwing in some contemporary music to keep guys’ attention. Toss in John Leguizamo, a great cover of Roxanne, and Obi Wan Kenobi singing with a shockingly good voice, and you have a guilty pleasure.

6. Once

The most recent film on this list, Once tells the story of two Dubliners who happen to find love. The guy is a busker attempting to make it in the music business, is a piano player who spends her time taking care of her family. Of course, things aren’t that simple as some revelations throw a pipe into the mix. Throw in some great music and vacuums, and Once easily fits in the musical romance genre.

She’ll like: The music and story about falling in love. It’s one of those sappy movies, and it knows it. I guarantee you she’ll openly weep at least twice during this movie. There’s just something about an Irish setting that gets the women going.

You’ll like: The music and the neverending jokes/corny lines you can make about wanting to “make beautiful music together” after the movie is over.

5. Finding Neverland

This is the story about James Barrie, and how he created the legendary play, Peter Pan. Barrie is a failing script writer who happens to be moping in a park with his dog one day when he spies three young boys and a widow. The boys instantly rejuvenate him, and he uses them (and their mother) as his muse in creating one of the greatest players of all time. Of course, his wife doesn’t like all of the time he spends with this widow and her sons, and the whole town just loves to gossip about it. The result is some tearjerking moments as the widow’s health takes a turn for the worse, and Barrie and the boys attempt to lift her spirits.

She’ll like: Johnny Depp. Oh, and that whole…what’s it called…plot! Yeah, that’s it. The whole idea of Depp befriending the widow and her children (for some reason) makes women happy. If it were me I’d be upset he was ignoring his wife for someone else, but whatever. I don’t understand how women think.

You’ll like: The story is actually pretty involving. Plus, what young boy hasn’t loved the story of Peter Pan? This is a great way to see how it came about (in a fictionalized way, of course) and at the same time score points for enduring a chick flick.

4. Blue Crush

Anne Marie is a hardcore surfer chick. She’s run away to surf, and spends all of her time surfing with her roommates and younger sister, preparing for the Pipe Masters competition. That is, until a pro quarterback shows up, and she starts to find out there’s more to life than surfing.

She’ll like: This is one of those movies that women like because it makes women look strong. (I’m not saying they aren’t, honey!) There’s also a lot of gooey romance between Anne Marie and the quarterback, and tons of toned guys surfing and on the beach.

You’ll like: Do you really have to ask?

3. High Fidelity

It’s pretty much official: any chick flick with John Cusack is at least watchable by guys. What is it about him?

Based on the Nick Hornsby novel of the same name, Cusack is dumped by his longtime girlfriend because he hasn’t grown up. Cue a movie filled with a mid-life crisis, where Cusack goes over his top 5 failed relationships, and tries to reconnect with the women. Together with his music store clerks, Cusack attempts to figure out just what he’s done wrong when it comes to women. Of course, it wouldn’t be a chick flick if Cusack and his ex-girlfriend Laura didn’t end up getting back together, and Cusack didn’t learn some valuable life lessons and suddenly start maturing as an adult.

She’ll like: First off, women love anything Nick Hornsby touches. As for this movie, she’ll love the constant attempts by Cusack to better himself, and win Laura back. When Laura finally does accept Cusack back in her life, there will be “ahhhs” all around. There’s also enough humor in the form of the supporting cast to balance the romantic moments.

You’ll like: Jack Black, John Cusack, and Jack Black. This is the movie that spawned the Jack Black empire, and for good reason. The banter between the two at Cusack’s record store is hilarious, and there’s a ton of pop-culture and cult references in the jokes. Plus, Cusack hooks up with his ex at a funeral. Who doesn’t love that? Once again, if the chick flick has John Cusack, it’s probably not as bad as you think, because JOHN CUSACK IS ALWAYS GOOD.

2. Jerry Magquire

Tom Cruise plays an agent who suddenly realizes he has a conscious. This, of course, makes it impossible for him to remain an agent, so he’s fired. Despite this he attempts to hold onto his career, and the one athlete staying with him (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) isn’t exactly the ideal one. All the while, Cruise has been falling for his only new employee (Zellweger), and eventually marries her and realizes that he does, in fact, love her! Wow!

She’ll like: Obviously anything to do with Cruise and Zellweger. It’s one of those love stories that every girl fantasizes about (or so several girls ahve told me), but doesn’t happen often in real life. Plus women apparently find the creepy kid adorable

You’ll like: Pre-batshit insane Tom Cruise, Cuba Gooding, Jr. in a good role without dogs or Disney, and sports. There’s a ton of quotables, a lot of sports-related cameos/mentions, and Gooding alone is worth the price of watching it.

1. The Princess Bride

I’m not entirely okay with calling this a chick flick, but when you get right down to it, I know way more women than men who love this movie. The story revolves around an egotistical prince kidnapping a beautiful village girl, resulting in the girl’s former love, the current Dread Pirate Roberts, giving chase to rescue her. Toss in some “You killed my father!” revenge, great supporting characters and humor, and you’ve got The Princess Bride.

She’ll like: Come on! The entire story is about two people who loved each other since childhood being reunited by the guy’s risking life and limb to save her from an evil prince intent on marrying her. He travels across the kingdom, fights people, and even conquers death. “As you wish”? I guarantee than 9 times out of 10, when she hears that she’ll go “Ahhhhh!”

You’ll like: A great, hilarious performance by Cary Elwes (who, surprisingly, plays the villain in another chick flick, Ella Enchanted), some nice (if not corny) action scenes, and enough humor to fill a bag. Plus, Inigo Montoya and Andre the Giant are badasses. This one’s okay to admit, by the way.

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