Thursday, May 29, 2008

Movie review: Sex and the City

By Alex Bentley

Sex and the City

Theatrical version of the television series based on Candace Bushnell's book "Sex and the City," which chronicles the sexy exploits of New Yorkers.

Source: Cinema Source

• Showtimes and more on Sex and the City

Attention: Any man who avoids Sex and the City purely because they think it’s a “chick flick” will be missing one of the best films of the summer. Actually, it boggles the mind why any man would shy away from watching the film (or its TV series progenitor) since doing so is a lot like being given the playbook to how women view and approach men; who wouldn’t want to know all their secrets? And have I mentioned that there’s lots of sex and nudity? Any (heterosexual) male would never actively turn down the opportunity to see hot women naked, would he?

Of course, Sex and the City is about much more than that, but if that’s what it takes to get men to see this fantastic film, so be it. Women will likely come out in droves to see it and they will not be disappointed with what they get. The film picks up a few years after we left the fabulous foursome and little has changed (although, of course, it will over the course of the film). All four of the women are settled into seemingly-solid relationships: Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) with on-again-off-again love, Big (Chris Noth), who, after finally being given a first name in the series finale (John), is given the monied-sounding full name of John James Preston in the film; Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) with husband Steve (David Eigenberg) and son Brady in (gasp) Brooklyn; Charlotte (Kristin Davis) with husband Harry (Evan Handler) and adopted daughter, Lily; and Samantha (Kim Cattrall) with actor/client/all-around-stud Smith (Jason Lewis).

The fearless foursome acting incredulous.

Sex and the City is a rarity in the TV-series-turned-film genre in that it comes so soon after the series ended (the last episode aired on Feb. 22, 2004) and that it treats its source material faithfully, rather than sending it up or re-imagining it. In essence, SATC the movie feels like a giant episode, touching on pretty much every theme that the series covered, which is a good thing. Writer/director Michael Patrick King has the good sense not to mess with a tried-and-true formula. The women may have left the single life behind (and each other, to an extent, as Samantha now lives in Los Angeles to further Smith’s apparently booming movie career), but they still rely on each other as much as ever.

Mr. Big acting stoic, as is his wont.

The film is a 2 ½ hour roller coaster, and not one minute feels wasted. As is the standard for SATC, various relationships go through their ups and downs, designer clothes, shoes and purses are exalted, and, yes, sex is discussed and performed ad nauseum (although not quite as much as in the series; if anything, the film feels tamer than the series in that respect). Louise (Jennifer Hudson), Carrie’s new assistant, is the only major new character introduced, and she fits seamlessly into the proceedings, proving that Hudson is just as effective an actor in a non-singing role. In fact, there’s not one false moment to be had in the entire film. There are a couple of awkward fits, such as Samantha seemingly having to be shoehorned into situations due to her presence in L.A. or the presence of a humping dog, but any clumsiness is quickly overcome by the strength of the bond of the quartet.

Although Sex and the City gets a lot of attention for the sex and the fashion, those are just window dressing when it comes to what the show/movie is really about: the relationships. The rapport established by the women is rock solid and makes every moment resonate with emotion. The uninitiated may not have the same connection with the characters as fans will, but the film’s montage prologue does a great job of synopsizing events that happened pre-film, and the movie has sufficient story arcs for all four women that it works perfectly as a stand-alone work. Parker, Nixon, Davis, and Cattrall don’t miss a beat in reprising their roles; it truly feels like they never left.

Many may be viewing Sex and the City as merely counter-programming to all the supposedly male-oriented blockbusters like Iron Man and Indiana Jones. It may not have the action of the other big summer films, but as far as quality of film goes, SATC is superior in every meaningful way.

Related stories

• Movie review: Confessions of a Shopaholic (Feb. 13, 2009)
• Todd’s Top Ten Films of 2008 (Dec. 30, 2008)
• Pegasus News Movies 2008: Cream of the crop, from our heaving critical gizzards to yours (Dec. 28, 2008)
• Movie review: The Women (Sept. 12, 2008)
• Pegasus News Week in View: Dog Days Edition (May 29, 2008)

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• Arts > Movies / Film > Mainstream Movies

Comments

Mike Orren Staff

Here's what the sequel will look like:

1 year, 5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Amy Seslowsky Staff

If Sex and the City is an accurate portrayal of how women view and approach men, then god help us all... or maybe just me.

1 year, 5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Pavel Lishin Verified

Two and a half hours? Sweet god, I'm bored to tears just thinking about it.

1 year, 5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Jason Rice Verified

Mike, Something that painful has got to inoculate me against some horrible disfiguring disease. Please say I haven't suffered in vain.

1 year, 5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

James Scott Verified

That's some great casting in the sequel! Gotta love Mrs. G!

1 year, 5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Kevin Kunreuther Verified

I have watched one episode of SATC (when Cynthia Nixon's character gets her salad tossed) and that was about enough for me. I like the actresses individually and all the other films, tv shows and projects they have all done, but SATC never really caught my interest. Mrs. Pettigrew Lives For A Day, now that is a good movie about women and men.

1 year, 5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )