Sex and the City: The Movie
There’s a line near the end of “Sex and the City”- the movie version; I never got into the hit TV show- that really illuminates how the film- and all movies in general- should be scene. The line belongs to Carrie Bradshaw, the writer played by Sarah Jessica Parker, and says- roughly- that “Maybe we need to start looking past the labels, and start looking at the person.”
On the surface, the “SATC” movie seems like chick-flick Hell, but as Roger Ebert is fond of saying, the more specific a story is, the more universal it becomes. True, the film goes on a little too long- pushing 2 1/2 hours- and there are times when the viewer threatens to get bogged down in sappy female bonding cliches, but one thing keeps you watching. Well, four, actually, always acting as one. That would be Carrie, Samantha (Kim Cattrall), Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), and Charlotte (Kristin Davis), the four women whose adventures- and misadventures- in love, fashion, and life drove the series through six seasons under the watchful eye of Darren Star. Based on the writings of Candice Bushnell, “SATC” followed the four women through a series of ups and downs, high and lows, one night stands and tough-lasting relationships, that ultimately all came down to their love of one another. It’s the type of thing that would make more than a few guys vomit (I know the idea of watching the show more than once triggered my gag reflex), but watch closer fellas, you might learn something…maybe about yourselves as well.
The movie revolves around the Fab Four’s relationship woes, with all four busy with men they love in their lives. For workaholic lawyer Miranda, it’s hubbie Steve and their son Brady. For Charlotte, its’ also a husband in Harry; they’ve adopted, but Charlotte longs for a child of her own. For Samantha, it’s loving boy toy Smith in L.A., but the sexed-up stud next door- whose revolving door of women reminds Sam of her own horn-dog nature- provides doubts about her lot in life. And for Carrie, it’s the always elusive Mr. Big (Chris Noth), whose on and off-again romance is very much on. But as Carrie hits 40, the itch of marriage looms long. When she and Big decide to tie the knot, that’s when the sparks in the story by writer-director Michael Patrick King (a show veteran) begin to fly.
This movie wouldn’t work without these actresses. Parker is perfection, funny and touching in a role she owns all the way, but don’t peg her- or any of the other characters- as shallow caricatures- these are flesh and blood people whom every actress absorbs into their DNA. While they aren’t above enjoying the occasional fashion show and material desire, these women are as real as anyone you’d meet on the street, and it all starts with Parker’s Carrie, the movie’s heroine and beating pulse. When things go south big time with Big, her heartbreak is palpable. And her friend’s support is unconditional- a retreat to Mexico provides all four with much-needed moments away from the bustle of life. Who hasn’t wanted such a feeling with friends? But while Parker is the main woman in the film, her star wouldn’t shine as bright with Carrie’s friends around to share the burden. Best of all is Nixon, whose Miranda is thrown into turmoil when her busy schedule leads her husband towards an indiscretion, which she cannot bring herself to forgive, no matter who obvious it is Steve still loves only her. Cattrall is fiesty and fine as Samantha, a woman who’ll speak her mind- however vulgar it may be- but still can’t hide her doubts from her friends when she questions her own relationship. And Davis is sweetness personified as Charlotte- the glow from her happy life radiates off of her even when she’s expecting and looking for the way to tell of Big for what he’s done to Carrie.
Along the fringes of these four is Louise, a regular girl from St. Louis who becomes Carrie’s assistant as she puts her life back together. They’re kindred spirits, both drawn to the Big Apple for the same reasons, and neither able to let go of that romantic longing for the life of their dreams. Louise is played by “Dreamgirls” Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson, who proves herself equally adept in a serio-comic role without a need to belt out a tune. She adds some younger blood to the film, but the film doesn’t need it. The film’s juice comes from the way women bond and stick with each other through thick and thin. That may sound impossible to endure for most men, but this one found it more than a little endearing. Maybe I need to add a few discs to my Netflix Queue now to see what I was missing…
