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Chick flicks have come a long way from the eye roll-inducing schmaltz-fests of old. These much raunchier days, it's possible to forget that you're watching a movie geared towards women at all.
Take For a Good Time, Call..., the Jamie Travis-directed indie comedy hitting theaters this week. It has all the quintessential makings of a classic chick flick—two girls (played by Lauren Miller and sexy Ari Graynor) are forced into odd-couple cohabitation—only these leading ladies end up sharing an apartment and a roster of phone sex clients. Factor in solid appearances fromJustin Long, Seth Rogen, and Kevin Smith, and you've got a movie that guys can comfortably enjoy.
For those of you trying to show a ladyfriend your sensitive side this weekend, check out our list of other neo-classics that do it right: 10 Chick Flick Comedies Guys Should Love.
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Written by Lauren Otis (@LaurNado)
Friends with Benefits (2011)
If ample shots of a half-naked Mila Kunis weren't enough to merit a little more than two thumbs up, last summer's action-packed ladykiller can likely be credited with the emancipation of dudes the world over from the confines of the dreaded friend zone. Not a bad deal.
The flick, which revolves around an agreement between two new friends (Kunis and Justin Timberlake) to enjoy completely emotionless, commitment-free sex, manages to deliver the feel-good vibes minus the nauseating clichés (OK, there are a few flash mobs) that tend to send men sprinting away from the couch.
And did we mention that there's plenty of half-naked Mila Kunis?
Mean Girls (2004)
The words "Lindsay Lohan's claim to fame movie" don't do much to inspire confidence, but thanks to a smart screenplay from one of comedy's leading ladies, Tina Fey, what outwardly appears to be a teen movie about the reign of a crew of heinous popular girls in high school is actually, well, still a movie about a crew of heinous popular girls in high school—but funny as hell and darker than expected. Thanks to solid performances from a pre-descent Lohan and the hot, hilarious Rachel McAdams, it's a flick you can actually enjoy on your own without having to reach down to confirm that your genitals are still intact.
Hitch (2005)
Will Smith stars as an infallible casanova, Alex Hitchens, who makes a living for himself helping game-less dudes land girls (in a significantly less douchey way than it sounds). However, when Hitch meets gossip columnist Sara Melas (played by Cuban-American beauty Eva Mendes), the characteristically cool love doctor finds himself about 1,000 times more spastic than any of his clients.
What, like you wouldn't be?
My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)
Sure, there are plenty of movies out there chronicling love put to the test by crazy, obnoxious (or in some cases, pint-sized) families, but this Oscar nom undoubtedly rises above as one of the very best. Then-newcomer Nia Vardalos shines as gawky waitress Toula Portokalos, who falls for non-Greek Ian Miller (John Corbett) much to the shock and dismay of her family.
While the flick is slightly more packed with old folks than smokin' Mediterranean eye candy, it makes up for it with endless infectious quotables ("OPA!" "Put some Windex on it!") that lend to its palpable feel-good vibe, no matter what your taste.
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)
Though a slight departure from the whimsical weirdo you secretly fell in love with in Almost Famous, Kate Hudson's leading role as magazine staffer Andie Anderson proves almost equally endearing.
After getting going on a feature titled—you guessed it—"How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days," which involves wooing a guy only to reenact the classic no-nos that send men packing, Anderson has the weird luck of selecting a cocky ad exec (Matthew McConaughey) who has a simultaneous bet running that he can make any chick fall in love with him. As both are forced to see their "assignments" through, hilarity ensues, and chances are you'll be reminded of more than a few exes that'll make you feel great about opting for singledom.
(500) Days of Summer (2009)
Annoying precocious children, Hall & Oates music, Zooey Deschael being...Zoey Deschanel—the (500) Days of Summer trailer was bound to make eyes roll with its generic indie-com vibe. The actual movie, however, is far from what it seems.
Those who decided against their better instincts to go and check it out were rewarded with a thoughtful, original dramedy that, weirdly enough, amidst 95 minutes of Ikea trips, spontaneous dance numbers, awkward sex scenes, and an uncharacteristically mopey Joseph Gordon-Levitt, accurately captures what it's like to fall in and out of love, bringing the audience along for the ride and compelling them to relive some of their own triumphs and fails. The result: a story that lingers long after the viewing.
Just be warned: the Expectation vs. Reality split screen will make you want to kill yourself.
Love Actually (2003)
We aren't sure if the selection of intertwining stories featured within this much-loved British rom-com really qualifies as "love actually," but "funny actually" is definitely a good start, and it's much more than we can say of the slew of disastrous wannabes (a la Valentine's Day) that the movie spawned.
Equally clever simultaneous story lines keep the flick engaging and fresh in contrast to those times you've counted the moments until you could resume your Katherine Heigl-free existence. Also a nice switch? Seeing some regular-looking dudes get the girl in lieu of the dressed-down George Clooney's of the acting world.
Crazy, Stupid, Love. (2011)
Steve Carell laying the mack on women as a shafted husband-turned-pick-up artist; Ryan Gosling flexing his comic douchebag muscle as his metrosexual sensei; eye candy abound in the form of Emma Stone, Analeigh Tipton, Marisa Tomei, and others.... The real question here might be: What's in it for her?
Clueless (1995)
It's true, Amy Heckerling's 1995 hit about Beverly Hills do-gooder Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone at her finest) and her entourage of privileged one-percenters isn't necessarily one you want to broadcast fanship of to all of your friends, but if you haven't caught this flick at least once in the million times it's been rerun on basic cable, you owe it to yourself to check out this edgy-for-its-time classic pronto.
In addition to bold fashion and catchy lingo for your lady, there's Stacey Dash, endless quality one-liners, and the added bonus of a pre-Apatow Paul Rudd (and a plotline involving some weird stepbrotherly love) for you. Who doesn't win here?
Bridesmaids (2011)
Don't let the pink frills deceive you: The entourage of disgruntled-looking bridesmaids that occupied billboards everywhere last year will bring on some of the best laughs you'll have for the remainder of this one. Judd Apatow's name on just about anything effectively serves as a stamp of quality assurance, and despite this lady-centric hit's fair categorization as a chick flick, its universally inclusive dirty-ass humor and outstanding performances from the likes of the Oscar nod-nabbing Melissa McCarthy and SNL alum Kristen Wiig will undoubtedly induce belly laughs in the most stubborn of non-believers.