Archive

Chick flick-apalooza: “Traveling Pants 2” and “Bonneville”

Ah, the chick flick. Much maligned. Often contrived. And, every now and then, downright satisfying. To be perfectly honest, I like a good chick flick – emphasis on good, of course. For me, the appeal is built right into the name. Chick: Well, I am one, and I like them. Flick: Well, movies; who doesn’t love movies? Two upcoming releases seek to find just the right chocolate-and-peanut-butter formula that results in the good kind of chick flick we all love to watch on lazy Sunday afternoons when we should be paying bills or regrouting the tub. Both also fall into what is usually my favorite of the chick flick subgenres: the female bonding movie. Sure, romantic comedies are the more popular subgenre, but you just get more estrogen for your buck with bonding pictures. The films are Bonneville (opening Feb. 29 limited and March 21 wide) and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (opening Aug. 8).

Bonneville, which stars 50-somethings Jessica Lange, Joan Allen, Kathy Bates and Christine Baranski, centers on a cross-country road trip taken by three friends when one of their husbands dies. The trip is done in – you guessed it – a big old convertible Pontiac Bonneville. Is anyone else getting a decidedly Thelma & Louise feel from that photo? I just hope it doesn’t end the same way. Though, from the trailer, it looks like the ladies have their automotive high jinks in the Utah salt flats, not the Grand Canyon.

 

Woo-hoo for Kathy landing Tom Skerritt‘s character. By the way, did you know he’ll turn 75 this year? Whoa. And speaking of fun with ages, does anyone else think it’s silly that Jessica, who is 59, is playing the stepmother of Christine, who is 56? Well, I guess it could have been worse; she could have played her birth mother. While Bonneville is aimed at the 50-plus crowd, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 is aimed squarely at the teen and 20-something set. The film is based on Ann Brashares‘ bestselling follow-up, The Second Summer of the Sisterhood. Stars Alexis Bledel, America Ferrera, Blake Livelyand Amber Tamblyn

are all back for more adventures with the miraculous one-size-fits-all jeans. Interestingly, when the original was released in 2005, it was Alexis (Gilmore Girls) and Amber (Joan of Arcadia) with the hit TV shows. Now, as the sequel rolls around, it’s America (Ugly Betty) and Blake (Gossip Girl) who have all the buzz. Despite the age inappropriateness, I liked the original. It was sweet and had enough talent to largely keep it from being saccharine. The sequel picks up the next summer. Is it just me, or are there a lot more boys this time around?

   

Oh, thank heavens: It has the requisite “let’s all dance around with each other” scene that lets us all know that the bonding has begun. Now if only one of them would sing into a hairbrush. Still, you cannot deny the cuteness of America’s pratfalls. It simply can’t be done. Well, what do you think? Do either of these look like they’ll rise to the ranks of the good, Sunday-afternoon-worthy chick flicks? Or are you holding out for this year’s big mama of chick flicks opening in October, the remake of The Women? Now those are some females worth bonding with.

Lesbian Apparel and Accessories Gay All Day sweatshirt -- AE exclusive

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Back to top button