Sex And The City: The Movie

Sex And The City: The Movie

Genre: Drama, Comedy

Theater release:
29 May 2008
by New Line Cinema

Directed by: Michael Patrick King

Runtime: 122 minutes

Cast:
Sarah Jessica Parker (Carrie Bradshaw), Kim Cattrall (Samantha Jones), Kristin Davis (Charlotte York), Cynthia Nixon (Miranda Hobbes), Chris Noth (Mr. Big/John James Preston), David Eigenberg (Steve Brady), Evan Handler (Harry Goldenblatt), Jason Lewis (Jerry "Smith" Jerrod), Jennifer Hudson (Louise)
It is with bated breath that I welcomed SATC: The Movie with both arms. It has been years since the official end of the drama series that got me hooked and concerned about the development of the four main characters, namely Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte.

I have to admit that being a writer myself, I naturally gravitated towards Carrie’s character. And it was her human weaknesses that made her all the more real and easy to relate to. Her steadfastness towards her friends, her decision not to settle for second best, and her belief in having THE ONE, her passion for fashion and her human foibles that make her such a well-rounded character. Though there are times, for example when she betrayed the good, reliable and stable Aidan, and the time when she committed faux pas showing up at a photoshoot terribly unkempt and unglam, tripping over herself at the catwalk that make me want to wring her neck and use a club on her at times or empathise with her! Her quirky fashion sense, her ability to mix high end luxury fashion with flea market and second hand buys so well together, her willingness to die of hunger than being starved of fashion that made her my favourite character! Well, what can you say about a lady who prefers a walk-in wardrobe to a big diamond ring?

Anyway, back to the show. On the very first day of its big screen release, I went to the theatres with mixed feelings. It is especially poignant knowing that there will not be any more Season 7 or sequel to the movie, simply because our favourite characters are ageing. Way before the movie, I had heard that a lot of digital work had to be done on the faces of Kim Cattrall and Sarah Jessica Parker’s characters. See even celebrities are not spared the ravages of time. I had also seen the costumes/clothes in the movies and was unimpressed to say the least. But of course, all these did not dampen my spirits and my eagerness to catch the movie asap! Seeing so many excited and eager ladies in the audience, all dressed up and in groups, I could sense their excitement as well!

However, fans will be fans. Once a SATC fan, forever a SATC fan! Well, at least, I’m speaking for myself here. The dialogue is still witty and the characters are still interesting and I truly felt like I know them! Another SATC equivalent please, Michael Patrick King! I cried for Miranda when his goody two shoes hubby, Steve admitted that he cheated on her because he had not had sex with her in a long while. I cried when Big got cold feet and left Carrie waiting in her fabulous wedding gown with all her friends watching. I salute Samantha for going against her nature and staying monogamous though she was tempted and seduced by a six foot tall hunk. I was happy for Charlotte that she got to live her “happily ever after” story. Hey life is not that bad okay. I’m sure for all the bad and unfortunate things happening in this world, there must be someone out there who has a relatively “have-it-all” life. Yes, so much so that the princess actually gets cold feet and worry that any moment now, things will get worse. But then again, that’s the price one has got to pay for living such a perfect life, perhaps?

My complaints centre around the weak music selection, which failed to do anything for me. If only they had continued using the main tune that has lasted the series for a good decade and not warped the great music compilation, I might have bought a copy of the CD for keeps, for old times sake. But no. They had to go and remix and adulterate it. Enough said.

Another of my grouse is the fashion. Don’t get me wrong, Patricia Field shall remain the Queen of Fashion in my heart but I feel that the overall touch that she did sooo well in SATC and especially in Season 3 has lost some of its mojo. I shall continue to pore through my SATC Season Guide hardcover book to admire and fantasize about the special touch she injected into the clothes, making them the talk of the town and also fashion goals to achieve years down the road.

The smart suit Carrie wore to Vogue, her clutch bags, her nameplate necklace, their gorgeous dresses, the coats the characters wore, the Manolos and many many more continue to inspire the common womenfolk like me and inject a splash of fun and quirkiness to this otherwise dull and drab world.

Sex And the City, you may not have another sequel but you shall continue to live in my heart as well as in many others. You will always have a special place in my heart. Thank you for being a part of my life!

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/30/nyregion/30reax.html?_r=1&8mu&emc=mua3&oref=slogin

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/04/movies/moviesspecial/04bell.html?_r=1&oref=slogin