"Sex and the City" Review
May 30, 2008 by Jane Boursaw
| Movie: Sex and the City | In Theaters: | May 30, 2008 |
| Runtime: 148 minutes | Directed by: | Michael Patrick King |
| MPAA Rating: R for strong sexual content, graphic nudity and language | Gecko Rating: |  |
I sure have missed my Sex and the City girls, because seeing them again on the big screen is like going home again. True to the HBO TV series on which this film is based, it’s all about love, forgiveness, relationships, and especially friendships. If you were addicted to the TV series as I was, I can almost guarantee you’ll love this movie. And even though it would be fun to see it with girlfriends, I didn’t mind seeing it alone. The girls on screen were my best girlfriends for those 148 minutes (yes, it’s a tad long).
And if you don’t like the movie, let me know why in the comments section at the bottom of this review!
More after the jump, including a trailer (I promise not to reveal too much of the plot)…
The story begins with a catch-up on our favorite characters. Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) and Mr. Big, a.k.a. John Preston (Chris Noth) have been together since the finale of the TV series, where they met in Paris and he told her, “You’re the one.” They’ve both kept their own places, but they’re shopping for a nice piece of NYC real estate where they can live together. But Carrie’s not too sure she wants to sell her old apartment, especially since Big is buying the new place, and she’d have no legal recourse if they went kaput.
Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) and Steve (David Eigenberg) are now living in Brooklyn with their son, Brady. Playdates and PTA meetings are a far cry from Miranda’s former workaholic life. Charlotte (Kristin Davis) and Harry (Evan Handler) are happily ensconced in their beautiful digs with Lily, their lovely adopted daughter. And Samantha (Kim Cattrall) is living in L.A. now, sharing a pad with Jerry “Smith” Jerrod (Jason Lewis), whose burgeoning career she also reps. But she can’t keep her eyes off the Adonis who lives next door, aptly named Dante (Gilles Marini).
I won’t give away any major plot-points, but will say that the girls are all in fine form. Their friendships endure through thick and thin, their bodies are in better shape than ever (how can that be? Oh yeah, personal trainers and chefs), and the fashion! The entire film is a feast for our fashionista senses, sorely depleted ever since the TV series ended.
I love that the film nods to the TV series in assorted ways — Carrie’s old-fashioned dial phone, the outfit she wore in the series’ opening credits, and plenty of other little details that will make you smile. Returning faces include Stanford Blatch (Willie Garson), Anthony Marentino (Mario Cantone), Magda (Lynn Cohen), and Carrie’s Vogue editor, Enid Frick (Candice Bergen). New on the scene is the wonderful Jennifer Hudson, who plays Carrie’s assistant, Louise.
But what I love most about this film is the friendships between these women. Guys come and go, but their friendships are truly forever, whether it’s sharing a long-standing joke or spoon-feeding you breakfast when you’re so depressed all you want to do is sleep. We should all be so lucky.
Note to Parents: Plenty of sex talk and a few graphic scenes, including private parts in a few instances, so keep the little ones at home. I’d say this movie is ok for kids 17 and older.
Trailer:
Jane, I saw it last night and liked it though wasn’t blown away by it. It was great to see Carrie and the girls together again, but it didn’t have the bite of the tv show. It was too sentimental. Where was the glorious cynicism of the show–which got a little sappy at the end but was pretty acerbic all through–which is what made it so wonderful. Also, Chris Noth, who was incredibly sexy as the bad boy on the show was boring in the movie. Where was that sexy insouciance I so loved? He acted more like a big lug than a worthy successor to Cary Grant (which he was on the series). That said, I’ll go to see five more sequels, though I doubt there will be even one from what I hear of Kim Cattrall’s reluctance.
Hey Erica - Thanks for the comment! I agree that Chris Noth was a big lug in the movie, though I never really saw him as a Cary Grant type on the show. Too much of a noncommital jerk, in my mind. Actually, now that I think of it, he seemed more like Cary Grant in the movie, when he…
***SPOILER ALERT ***
…showed Carrie her chic new apartment, promised to build her the closet of her dreams, then at the end where she found him in the closet with her pair of shoes…and wrote those love letters to her - oh my. I was bawling earlier, but for sure during that scene.
Also, I think it’s hard to translate a long-running TV series into a movie, because people expect so much. They expect the movie to be even BIGGER and BETTER than the TV series, and for the most part, that’s hard to accomplish in two hours.
I don’t think there’s any way a Sopranos movie will ever top the TV series. And I haven’t been a rabid fan of the X-Files TV series — though I’ve seen eps here and there. I’ll be seeing and review that upcoming movie with a newbie eye. Always interesting to read reviews from fans of a TV series and reviews from people who’ve never seen a series or know little about it.
Jane, I wasn’t a regular watcher of the SATC series, but this movie is going to pull me in to watch the series again. I laughed my butt off, cried and just enjoyed the whole thing from beginning to end. Honestly, I named it one of the best movies i’ve seen this year so far (Ironman is in there too). Thanks for your review!
I loved the movie I sniffled all the way through it. Many are upset that the movie was like a elongated TV episode, but that’s what I wanted. I didn’t need them to reinvent the wheel. I can’t wait for the DVD so I can watch it over and over just like the tv shows.
I haven’t seen it…I loved the show, but don’t know how excited I am to see the movie. However, I was out and about on Friday night, and was at a restaurant which was packed with women. Seriously, there was not a seat open in the whole place, and there were only 6 dudes. All the women were done up to the nines, with high heel shoes and flowers in their hair! I think the single men in my city really missed out!
i noticed that Sex and the City has a polarizing effect on both men and women… people either love the movie or they hate it