This is a general list of movies that pertain to the ideals of the Alpha Babe; you’ll get more specific recommendations on a class-by-class basis, but this will definitely get you started. Note that they are in no particular order – we love them all!
Dangerous Beauty – Veronica Franco (Catherine McCormack) is the epitome of an Alpha Babe in this movie. She is well educated, can discuss politics and public policy with the Doge of Venice and his pals, writes poetry, is a skilled fencer, and makes love with style and skill. Always in love with her first love though originally unable to marry him, she is great friends with all the men who purchase her charms and they all come to her defense when she’s accused of witchcraft. Veronica’s friend Beatrice (Moira Kelly) clearly wishes she could step into that role as well, but does not have the courage to do so. She does ask Veronica to train her daughter, though, so she won’t be stuck as a Beta or Gamma Babe when she grows up. The film is based on a real woman, Veronica Franco; you can read her biography, The Honest Courtesan.
Fried Green Tomatoes – Both Idgie Threadgoode (Mary Stuart Masterson) and Ninny Threadgoode (Jessica Tandy) embody qualities of an Alpha Babe: absolute commitment to one’s friends, to one’s beliefs in the face of detractors, standing up for people powerless to stand up for themselves. As the movie progresses, Idgie’s friend Ruth (Mary Louise Parker) and Ninny’s friend Evelyn (Kathy Bates) learn how to embody these as well.
Coyote Ugly – Lil (Maria Bello) who runs the bar is a total Alpha Babe; and having created the bar, she helps other girls discover their Alpha Babe side as well. Violet (Piper Perabo) doesn’t quite get a chance to prove whether or not she takes the final step into Alpha-hood, though she certainly becomes much more empowered by the end of the film.
Easy Virtue – Larita Whittaker [Jessica Biel] in this Noel Coward story set in 1923 is an American race car driver newly married to a young aristocrat. Her bold ways and joie de vivre inspire some of her husband’s family and appall others of them. In her search to reclaim the idea of love after losing her first husband, Larita puts life above propriety and freedom above security.
Tank Girl – Lori Petty is the Tank Girl in this fun post-apocalyptic film. Setting out to rescue her kidnapped little sister from the evil water-stealers, she is brave, inventive, and has fun while fighting the bad guys. Willing to put her own life in danger to save others, Tank Girl simultaneously supports her friends’ personal growth. She’s a great example of a warrior chic who fights like heck but can still mix a mean martini and wear combat boots with flair.
Peter Pan [P.J. Hogan’s 2003 film] – Wendy [Rachel Hurd-Wood] is a young Alpha Babe with a well-balanced sense of adventure and sense of responsibility. She bravely tackles Captain Hook, tells stories that enchant the pirates, and experiences the delicious twinklings of first love with Peter – who is so not a Chosen Man and can’t handle the possibility of either intimacy or growing up.
Elizabeth – Queen Elizabeth I (Cate Blanchett) was definitely an Alpha Babe; she stood up for her country and her beliefs regardless of the fact that the rest of the world tried to control her and force her to fit into a “nice” feminine role.
Pride & Prejudice – Though it may be difficult for us to recognize it in the modern day, Lizzy Bennett (played by a variety of women, but our favorites are Jennifer Ehle and Keira Knightley) absolutely embodies an Alpha Babe insofar as she refuses to marry someone she couldn’t respect, she honors her commitment to discretion about Darcy’s sister’s secret (even though she suffers for it) and is willing and able to readjust her sentiments when circumstances call for it. Darcy is, similarly, one of our favorite Chosen Men – he recognizes that it’s much more important to speak up in your friend’s behalf than to worry about being ‘popular’ and ‘liked’.
Becoming Jane – Given that Jane Austen is a total Alpha Babe (for her time, especially!) the biopic Becoming Jane is a wonderful introduction to the sorts of qualities we discuss here. She repeatedly chooses Honor over her own happiness, knowing that regardless of whatever other pressures or inclinations may be present – including her own deep, unabiding love – without mutual respect there can be no effective relationship. Tom Lefroy (James McAvoy) is also quite the Chosen Man: getting as much joy and pleasure out of life as he possibly can while in a less-than-ideal working situation, trying to commit himself to his love in spite of his family’s needs, but ultimately choosing Honor and acting in accordance with his ideals.
Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love – From childhood, Maya (Indira Varma) embodies qualities of the Alpha Babe: working hard to excel in spite of being from a lower class, a commitment to self-improvement and deep love. She slips a couple of times, as when out of spite she seduces the prince who is destined to marry her friend Tara, but she also deals with the consequences of that choice – and that’s very Alpha Babe as well.
Boys on the Side – Jane (Whoopi Goldberg), Robin (Mary Louise Parker) and Holly (Drew Barrymore) support one another invariably, even as they each find themselves confronted with a horrifying series of events. They also learn how to be appropriately honest with one another, and how to love without expectation of return.
Shakespeare in Love – Often in life, we must sacrifice what would make us happy to do our Duty. But sometimes, it is necessary to move beyond the inappropriate strictures of society to do what we know is right, which happens to bring us joy in the doing; Alpha Babes and Chosen Men must learn how to discern the difference, as do both Viola de Lesseps (Gwyneth Paltrow) and William Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes) in Shakespeare in Love.
The Devil Wears Prada – Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway) sticks to her guns and does the best work possible for her demonish boss Miranda (Meryl Streep); as a result, she discovers truths about herself that she might not otherwise have known. Similarly, she stands up for herself around a variety of men in a variety of ways, so that she can ultimately have a much more appropriate relationship with herself and with them.