The chick-flick formula

Why the love for women-led stories never retires

KARACHI:

"Shut up!" was all Anne Hathaway had to say for us to know that a third instalment of The Princess Diaries is in the works. The simple announcement, made in October, brought back a ton of feels and marked the rejuvenation of an iconic chick-flick franchise. But as you might have observed, The Princess Diaries isn't the only women-centric franchise to revive the Y2K nostalgia as of late.

Earlier this year, another notable chick flick from the early aughts that was brought back with a fresh spin was Mean Girls. The song-and-dance reboot borrowed not just from the beloved Mark Waters film but also its resultant Broadway musical. And sue me you may, but I did enjoy Mean Girls (2024) enough to luxuriate a rewatch.

In the film's defence, it did bring something new to the table—the relatability factor. While Broadway fans did not fancy the modern touches to the music, the pop renditions of the songs adjusted well to the film's tone. When you're using TikTok as a plot device, your narrative elements must cater to the interests of your intended audience, which indeed wasn't just composed of old fans but curious new ones as well.

Besides, Reneé Rapp stole the show as the Queen Plastic. Regina George is not just a villainess but a cultural icon, and there's hardly anyone who could understand that better than one of her stage actors. That's right, Reneé portrayed Regina on Broadway, and her powerhouse vocals should be reason enough for you to give the film a chance. And that doesn't even cover the added charm that actors like Avantika Vandanapu and Auli?i Cravalho bring to the mix.

But this isn't a review of the 2024 film. And it cannot be denied that its creation was contingent on the success of its cinematic and theatrical predecessors. More often than not, we don't ask for sequels, yet there are some we enjoy all the same. So what is it about some of our favourite women-centric films that prompts a refashioning?

Nostalgia has no expiry date

Indulge yourself in an easy rapid-fire segment. Pick your favourite rom-com blonde and think of what makes her so iconic. If you wish to go as far back as Hannah Montana—who is, perhaps, an honorary blonde—you might remember yourself fondly sighing over her one-of-a-kind wardrobe. That was at least when I fell in love with sparkly outfits.

Or maybe you're more of an Elle Woods kind of girl, who likes to curate vibrant outfits and eye-catching accessories based on the occasion. Or perhaps, the blondes and their high-fashion appeal do not resonate with you, so your style icon ends up being Jenna Rink with her sui generis styling choices.

But why limit yourself to a sartorial fad? A chick-flick queen with a flair for swift quips could be your thing, instead. For that you might veer more towards Regina's iconic dialogues; "They say you're a home-schooled jungle freak, who's a less hot version of me!" Or you keep revisiting the endless witty banters in The Devil Wears Prada.

A cultural reset can even be something as simple as Pitch Perfect's "Aca-scuse me?!" or any other memorable one-liners you can think of. There's your keyword. A film with a female-leading cast has a wealth of memorable moments that feed you better the older they get.

Admittedly, films across all genres make at least modest attempts at securing a cultural stamp for themselves. However, women-led films are made to ease the heart, to steal you away to an enchanting world where any conclusion other than a happy ending is discourteous. Some like Disney's Enchanted take the sentiment literally, and we're all here for it.

So it's no wonder why the target audience, even if secretly, wants to relive the high. And even if you and I hate to admit it, we can't resist a tiny peek at an unexpected revival of a beloved franchise. We are only human, and we do want to see how Princess Amelia Mignonette Thermopolis Renaldi has been doing after all these years.

The charm lives on

Since the risks associated with any reboot or sequel are high, nostalgia cannot always be burdened to carry an entire film. Oftentimes, a franchise is heedlessly milked because creators fail to understand where to draw the line. Maybe a dedicated audience can stomach a plot-deprived sequel, but a botched spin-off is much harder to swallow.

Yes, pretty dresses and smooth catchphrases contribute significantly to the charm of these films, but a motley of make-believe isn't just what makes women-centric films special. There is an underlying authenticity to them that even the narrative tries to evade. It may not be feminism by the furthest stretch, but these films do explore aspects of womanhood that are shrouded in stories not centred around women.

Take for example how the older women in Mamma Mia! are allowed to have the kind of fun that is expected of young women and don't view marriage or motherhood as the biggest accomplishment in life. Or how Mean Girls addresses the fact that girls and women are expected to play nice even when their fights get ugly.

Perhaps these narratives didn't set out to be conversation-starters, and they can undoubtedly be critiqued from a feminist standpoint. But the evolution of this category of films did influence the creation of Barbie (2023). And to drive the point back, the Margot Robbie starrer too is a product of nostalgia, propelled by the unending love for the eponymous Mattel toy line and the many animated films and shows centering the titular protagonist.

It was a monumental moment for popular culture when audiences, young and old alike, donned their best pink outfits and waved to each other on their trip to and from the theatre. But even they hadn't anticipated the film to be the eye-opening tear-jerker that it was for many.

Chick flicks have emerged from a time when feminism wasn't so boldly discussed, and maybe there's still space for a thorough conversation to be had. But until then, we are allowed to take a well-needed break from the world every now and then, and revisit these masterpieces if only to freshly admire our favourite heroines and villainesses.