The Evolution of Feminism Through Chick Flicks from 1960s to 2010s in Hollywood

Abstract

Chick flick, the commercial film that appeals to female audiences, roots from “woman’s film” prevalent in early 20th century. This essay traces the evolution of chick flicks from the 1960s to 2010s in Hollywood. We divide the chick flicks in three stages (1960s-1970s, 1970s-1990s, 1990s- 2010s) by the development of feminism from the second to third wave. We analyze several films chosen to represent the chicks flicks of each stage—-Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961), Pretty in Pink (1986), The Devil Wears Prada (2006) ----from three aspects: (1) The characters' personas, including their outlook on love, values, etc; (2) Narratives, including role relationships; (3) Makeup and costume. This essay also discusses the use of the word “chick flicks”, as a result of its ambiguous and ambivalent definition in social and cinematic scale and tries to reappropriate its meaning: labeled as cheesy and senseless for decades, chick flicks need redress to gain a equal status as other films. We contend that chick flicks change or evolve alongside the progression of the movement of feminism, especially the second and third wave of feminism. To be specific, the chick flicks cover themes from a simple romantic story of how two people fall in love to more diverse topics about life, personal growth, and even social issues.