TO ALL THE SATC2-haters out there, to you I say: You’ve missed the point. I LOVED the new Sex and the City movie, and I’m not afraid to say it.
Let me start by saying: I lived for the show, even as I rolled my eyes at its absurdity. And I really, really hated the first movie, which I thought made no sense, and had no heart. But this movie? Granted, it’s an unwieldy, high camp mash-up of The Wizard of Oz, Ishtar, a Bollywood spectacular and a commercial for the United Arab Emirates tourism board. It’s way too long. Its politics, if you can call them that, have all the sophistication of a Muck Boot. Even so? It spoke to me.
Maybe it’s the fact that Charlotte and Miranda, the two characters whom I most closely resemble (c’mon, you know you’ve played the “which Sex and the City girl are you?” game) are now mothers struggling, not always successfully, with juggling the exhausted ambivalence and fierce love that dominate the years of mothering small kids. Maybe that storyline has become tired, but not to me: I thought the film’s empathy for both of their struggles was compelling and authentic.
Maybe it’s the ballsy way this film really, really let Samantha out of the box, so to speak: Her libidinous behavior is outrageous to the point of dangerous and appalling, and that also rang true for me for a highly sexual woman confronting the not-so-sexy parts of aging.
But I think most of all, I liked that in this film, Carrie is finally let off the hook, and the audience with her, of being held up as some sort of representative every-woman, which she so clearly is not, and has never been. Most of us are never, ever going to be Carrie Bradshaw, live in Louboutins, and marry Big. And that’s ok. She’s living an original life, and so should we, whatever slings, arrows, wrinkles and wrong turns that may bring.
Whatever flaws you can find with this film, despite its absurd foray into the lives of the unimaginably rich, I don’t think it can be accused of being shallow. (And given that the first film was exclusively about shopping, that’s saying something.) Good for you, girlfriends.
(P.S.–TSP’s youngest sister, Anastasia, took a look at the feminist aspect–or not–of the SATC brand in this post.)
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you’ve sold me. I’ll go. Desperately need comic relief therefore the Ishtar/Bollywood components sound promising.
Thank you so much for saying what I feel too. My sister went to see SATC2 with my Mom and my Mom loved it and my sister didn’t! I couldn’t agree more with all of your comments. SATC2 was a fun romp that took us for a ride once again with our favorite gal pals. But it did have more of a heart than the 1st one and I personally loved each woman’s story line but as a mom of three boys under the age of 7, I really LOVED the issues Charlotte and Miranda face. I also loved how honest (ok, wearing vintage while you frosting cupcakes is asking for disaster to happen!) the movie was about the loves and frustrations of raising wee ones.
Thank you for this! I, too, loved the TV show and hated the first movie. Just yesterday I put SATC2 in my Netflix queue because I couldn’t not see it, but wanted to weather the disappointed in the privacy of my own home. You’ve inspired me, though, to go see it in all its absurd, messy glory on the big screen this week.
Hey, Sisters, just a comment from a 74 yr old. I enjoyed the movie, it was extravagant in its presentation, but of course that is what makes it SATC. I loved the series and the first movie, and this seemed a little shallow in storyline. I thought it very entertaining and loved the clothes and SHOES. All SATC actors were very good, Carrie Bradshaw and her good friends, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda are unforgettable in all their antics on the screen.
I loved it too. When my 18 year old nanny said she was excited to go I warned her – this is a movie for us old, married, mothers.
If the reviewers trashed SATC2, it’s because they never spent much time watching it on HBO. Of course it’s over the top–could Carrie Bradshaw actually live like she does as a freelancer in NYC? I think not. And if you have to suspend judgement over Carrie’s life, it follows you have to suspend judgement over all the rest too. It’s only fair.
The characters stay true to form, especially Carrie. She was always unable to wait the extra 5 minutes that would have explained a situtation, allowed Big to clarify something between them, or salve her particular niggling worry. It’s true in this movie too. Charlotte and Miranda? I don’t know how they do it, and I’ve done it myself with the same conclusion.
Having taught in the Middle East, I loved the shots at the souks, as well as Miranda’s shining enthusiasm to respect and understand the culture while learning some Arabic. My only criticism is the movie’s totally shallow understanding of Islam, but I suppose that fits with the characters (and it did set up the Louis Vitton piece well.)
I watched SATC2 on the big screen in Belfast, with 3 other women from Northern Ireland: 1 younger, 1 older, 1 my age (so 55) and we all thought it was grand. But after a Cosmopolitan at dinner, wouldn’t you? –djs