Sex and the City Review
by Steve Rhodes (steve DOT rhodes AT internetreviews DOT com)May 30th, 2008
SEX AND THE CITY
A film review by Steve Rhodes
Copyright 2008 Steve Rhodes
RATING (0 TO ****): ** 1/2
"Every year, twenty million people come to New York City in search of the two 'l's -- labels and love," Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) tells us in the voice-over introduction to SEX AND THE CITY, which, of course, is based on the long-running HBO television series.
Although SEX AND THE CITY is the ultimate chick flick -- our advanced screening audience was referred to only as "ladies" by the sponsors in their introductions -- it is a film that will dichotomize potential viewers into two camps, but not by gender. The two groups are those who have seen the series and those who haven't. Fans of the series, of whatever sex, are likely to adore the movie, as did our large and very enthusiastic audience.
But, if you've never watched the series, as I had not, you are likely to be unmoved by its movie version. The film starts with a two to three minute synopsis to catch everyone up on what has been happening to the characters since the series ended on TV, but, unless you had been watching the series, this lightning fast introductory segment will just leave you dizzy and confused. Too many characters; too little time.
At promo screenings of films like IRON MAN and STAR WARS, some people come in costume. So it was with our screening of SEX AND CITY, and more people than I've ever seen came in costume. Here in the Silicon Valley, it's pants almost all of the time for the women but not for this movie. There were more dresses and fancy shoes than I've seen in a long, long time. The movie featured lots of screams by the characters at each other, and our audience screamed right along with them.
The big event -- or should I say the big potential event -- in the story is the marriage of Carrie to Mr. Big (Chris Noth), a happening which is chronicled in Vogue, much to Carrie's initial chagrin, under the title of "The Last Single Girl." Mr. Big has two failed marriages under his belt, but, after dating Carrie for ten years and after breaking up with her many times, he finally decides to pop the question.
"I wouldn't mind being married to you," Mr. Big says to Carrie in one of the most unromantic proposals in cinematic history. "Would you mind being married to me?" Gosh, how could a woman turn down such a heartfelt outpouring of affection?
Most of the movie, however, is not about Mr. Big. It's about Carrie and her three best friends: Samantha Jones (Kim Cattrall), Charlotte York (Kristin Davis) and Miranda Hobbes (Cynthia Nixon). All four of them have their quirks, which are probably much funnier and more meaningful to followers of the series.
The movie has an uneven tone, alternating between boisterous silliness and quiet seriousness. Filled with sexual innuendo, the movie gave me several smile-worthy moments, albeit no laugh-worthy ones. One of the best lines occurs when Carrie explains her new hairdo to her assistant Louise (Jennifer Hudson), telling her, "My head is in the witness protection program."
The movie is filled with questions probably only the series fans will care about. Will Carrie actually marry Mr. Big? How will Samantha survive turning the big 5-0 and will she have sex with the ridiculously hot new guy next door? Will Charlotte finally get the gumption to eat something other than prepackaged pudding while at a swank resort in Mexico? And will the sexless Miranda finally forgive her husband for his one-night stand?
I've got to be honest. The film did not give me enough reason to care. But, I do suspect that, had I known the characters better, I could well have been hooting right along with the rest of the audience. The film is for presold audiences only.
SEX AND THE CITY runs a surprisingly long 2:25. It is rated R for "strong sexual content, graphic nudity and language" and would be acceptable for older teenagers.
The film opens nationwide in the United States on Friday, May 30, 2008. In the Silicon Valley, it will be showing at the AMC theaters, the Century theaters and the Camera Cinemas.
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