From Chick Lit to Chick Flicks

‘Sex And The City’ is one chick lit adapted for TV

Although Chick Lit has a tendency to tackle cliché stories, people (mostly girls) of different ages still have a soft spot for topics ranging from relationships with family/friends to romance – the reason why many of these books are adapted into films.

In the recent Chick Lit Festival held in Glorietta 1, Filipino author Mina Esguerra declared, “I learn to embrace something cliché because readers like it.” Fellow author Abi Aquino also noted that “each (author) has a different voice.”

In celebration of the wide appeal of Chick Lit and how it has transcended into a wider form of entertainment, Bulletin Entertainment names some of the Chick Lit turned into films.

Sex And The City (2008, 2010)

“Sex And The City” is probably one of the most renowned Chick Lits of all time – with the novel actually being adapted for TV – becoming a huge hit cable series –to actually spawning a big screen version with a sequel to boot! The film adaptations highlight Carrie Bradshaw’s (Sarah Jessica Parker) romantic exploits as she’s finally tied the knot with Mr. Big (Chris Noth), but married life does not stop her from having some fun with her friends (all married ladies eventually venturing outside New York City). With such a huge following – from romantics to fashion fanatics – it has become the biggest girl-power movies of its time, making veritable style icons of not just the four main lady characters but also Parker and her three other co-stars.

“Confessions Of A Shopaholic” (2009)

Who does not recognize or has even heard of Sophie Kinsella’s “Confessions Of A Shopaholic?” This New York Times bestselling book, which was adapted to film, tells the shopping adventure of Becky Bloomwood (played by Isla Fisher), and how her buying sprees has buried her in debt. As expected of most rom-com films, Becky finds herself falling for a man named Luke Brandon (Hugh Dancy) while struggling with her credit card bills. As it happens, Luke is actually a multimillionaire. How about that?

“The Notebook” (2004)

One of Nicholas Sparks’ noteworthy creations is “The Notebook.” The film recounts the story of young couple’s love-lost-and-found story, which was recorded in a notebook. Noah (Ryan Gosling) and Allie (Rachel McAdams) met anew after seven years of separation, and they can’t help but fall in love all over again. Fact: Eight of Sparks’ books have been adapted to films, most of which prove that happy endings do not always exist.

In his past interview during a visit in the country, he says of Noah’s character: “I’m not (Noah)… It’s hard to crawl into and imagine someone 80… and trying to capture their voice and make it realistic.” Nevertheless, readers bought into the love story and moviegoers trooped to the theaters. Realistic enough?

The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

Unlike most chick flicks, “The Devil Wears Prada” does not rely on “Boy meets girl and they live happily ever after” premise – it is actually an expose of New York’s fashion scene. This Lauren Weisberger’s best-selling novel is about Andrea Sachs (Anne Hathaway), a woman who works for America’s most prestigious fashion magazine with a tough-as-nails “boss from the hell.” Forget the romance and drama, this film is pure comedy!

From Chick Lit to Chick Flicks

Source: Mb.com.ph (September 13, 2013 at 09:52PM)

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