Sex and the City
Romantic comedy, 2008
I think that Sex and the City is a movie that most people had made their minds up about before it was even released; you either planned to see it or to stay as far away from it as possible, and other people’s reviews and opinions probably weren’t going to sway you either way. I didn’t watch the series from the very beginning (I didn’t have HBO), but I did watch it enough in its later seasons to be interested. I was open to seeing it on my own, but things worked out so that my sister and I were able to go together to a Sunday-morning show, where we were far from the only ones having a “girls’ day out.”
I enjoyed the movie, although I felt that it was longer than it had to be; it was like a supersized, extended episode of the TV show. The characters have always been distinct, and they were true to the personalities we came to know. There were some great comic lines and some real laugh-out-loud funny stuff, but many poignant moments as well as the women considered where their lives were headed.
The title emphasizes Sex, but this story has never been primarily about that – unless you’re talking about Samantha, anyway. It’s not about the clothes and shoes, either (but I’ll admit that I really liked several of Miranda’s dresses, although I don’t think I’ll ever understand $500 stiletto pumps) – and if you think too much about how they afford the lifestyle, you’re missing the point. The story has always been about the women – the girlfriend stuff. It’s what makes us wish we had friendships like that – or appreciate them, if we’re lucky enough that we actually do. And while one might find Carrie’s voiceovers irritating, I do think it’s to her credit that her character has always been reflective and pretty self-aware – maybe not as deep as she could be, but the whole Sex and the City package is not really as shallow as its reputation might suggest. Then again, if you planned to see this movie, you already know that; and if not, you may be going by that reputation.
It occurred to me that if Sex and the City were a book, I’d avoid it – in fact, never having read any of Candace Bushnell‘s novels, nor really wanted to, I guess you could say I have. For me, this is a story that’s best told outside of the printed format – and onscreen, I was glad to spend some time with Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda, and Samantha again.
If you’ve seen the movie, what did you think?
I’ve never had the urge to read the books either but I think I’ll see the movie. I heard they all die violently in the end. I may be confusing it with cloverfield.
Jenny – You know, I don’t think I remember that part. Maybe it will be in the director’s cut on the DVD :-D.
So since your sister went did your husband luck out, or was he never going to go anyway.
It’s funny, many movies require you to suspend belief in some way; usually science wise. With this movie, it’s the ability of the characters to afford their clothes. It may be the must unbelievable movie out there. 🙂
Sex and the City seems to have a polarizing force… people either hate the movie or love it; so far it seems like the “lovers” outnumber the “haters”
Mike – Tall Paul actually offered to go, but I told him I would be fine going by myself if my sister couldn’t make it. He was quite relieved not to have to make good on the offer, trust me :-).
Patrick – I’ve noticed the same thing; most people seem to be having a “meh” reaction at worst.
I’ve not watched any of this, but my girlfriend told me she prefer the serial more than the movie version.
Melody – I can understand why she would; the TV show was able to take its time with the plot and character development. The movie was fun, though.
I am one of those who decided I probably wouldn’t watch it–at least not in the theater. I tried watching the first season of the show but could never get into it. I really wanted to like it too, and so was quite disappointed when I didn’t.
Do you think the movie is good as a stand alone or is it best to have the background from the TV series?
Literary Feline – I think the movie is fine as a stand-alone, but I think I got more out of it since I was familiar with the characters and how they’d gotten to that point. Does that help at all?
Yes, that helps. I do like that type of movie usually and so was trying to decide if it would be worth catching on DVD or not.