It’s nice to see Reuters covering the most important issues: According to the wire service, a psychological study shows that men like romantic movies almost as much as women do. The prof running the survey says studio execs should stop referring to some films as "chick flicks" and that usually, men and women make the decision together to see a romantic film. What? Is that like when the girl says "We’re gonna go see this" and the guy says "Fine"? Because I’m pretty sure the guy isn’t saying, "Yes, I too would very much like to see Jack Black as a romantic lead. Let’s definitely go see The Holiday [pictured, with Kate Winslet and Black]. And after that, if you don’t mind, I’d love to talk about my feelings over hot cocoa. Scatter the votives!"
Just kidding—I’ve actually witnessed many instances of men liking romantic movies. One of said men was watery-eyed for three whole minutes after we saw Love Actually in the theater. True story. Or not. Maybe I was lying. Maybe some of the guys in that survey lied, too. So tell us, guys—did they? Or are the sexes more alike in their movie tastes than we ever imagined? And if so, won’t it be kind of a drag to ditch so many of our favorite outdated stereotypes?
I think there is a difference between a “chick flick” and a romantic comedy.
A romantic comedy has two romantic leads that, through comedic circumstances, eventually end up together. For example, “How To Lose A Guy in 10 Days,” “The Holiday,” or “Fever Pitch.”
A chick flick usually lacks males at all and focuses more on girl power/female bonding/friendship stuff. For example, “Because I Said So,” “Hanging Up,” “The Divine Secrets of the YaYa Sisterhood,” “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” etc.
It boils down to this: most men like romantic movies when they’re good (“When Harry Met Sally,” “Titanic,” “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”), most women still like them even when they’re god-awful (“What Women Want,” “Must Love Dogs,” “Sweet Home Alabama”).
Ben, your theory was fine until you put “Titanic” in the good movie category.
Samantha and Ben both made great points. Most guys probably don’t mind the good romantic comedies. I think they sit through the bad ones for the reward that usually follows…
I enjoy a good romantic comedy. Go to quite a few each year, even by myself. It is like most genre, a lot of it is simple formula crap but there are gems to be found.
I agree with Ben and Samantha. I like all of the Nora Ephron movies(WHen Harry Met Sally, Sleepless In Seattle, You got Mail) And I usually hate the movies that are aimes at men, such as Sylvester Stallone’s, Steven Segal, and Chuck Norris. Thankfully, those movies don’t get made anymore
“Scatter the votives!” Annie, you just made my day!
I’m not feeling that argument at all. I hate cheesy romantic flicks where the guy wants the ugly woman who’s pretty on the inside. Or the even lamer one where a beautiful woman falls for a schmucky guy because he’s nice. Can’t stand ‘em a bit. Exemptions exist of course, as Office Space and Tao of Steve might be considered romantic comedies by some…
Clearly there was something in the koolaid when the study was done.
Since no one knows who I really am on here…..yes…..yes men do. I have Love Actually, The Last Kiss, and stuff like that in my collection.
Count me OUT of any romantic comedy that involves Matthew McConaughey. Who decided that this guy was funny. I don’t even like him as the romantic lead. Stick with drama, please. Anyhoo, I’d say guys like romantic movies, they just don’t shout it out to the world. I’ve definitely caught some with Love Actually on dvd.
My VERY limited DVD collection, alphabetically, Blair Witch, Die Hard, For Love Of The Game, Heat, LOVE ACTUALLY, Matrix, Seven, Shawshank Redemption, oh yea, my xmas present to myself, Moonlighting Seasons 1-4. Love Actually is one of the greatest “romantic” movies EVER! Maybe it’s because Keira Knightly is my future wife (FYI, she was 16! gulp, when it was made) And the theme music is in heavy rotation on my iPod. Yes, men do like GOOD romantic movies.
I like romantic comedies, because what what happens after I watch them with my wife
Yes, we like romantic comedies (I myself own Love Actually, Serendipity, Pretty Woman, and a few others). The secret, though, is that guys like romantic comedies with A) good, respectable male leads (see Tom Hanks in Sleepless in Seattle or You’ve Got Mail, or Billy Crystal in When Harry Met Sally), and B) movies where the “comedy” doesn’t get short-shrift to the “romance.” Make us laugh consistently, and we won’t feel ashamed of enjoying the “romance.”
my parents are a walking contradiction. my mom’s favorite movie? Rambo: first blood. My dad’s? Dirty Dancing. Also i came home from work one day to see my father looking sad and distant on our front porch. I asked my mom what was wrong and she said “oh, we just watched the notebook. He said he needed to go out there and recover from it. “
Why can’t a man like a romantic comedy? I’m a woman and I usually HATE chick flicks–my favorite movies are of the horror genre. To each their own, I say.