A BOF FILM REVIEW: "SEX AND THE CITY" by Christina Han (5/29/08)

RELEASE DATE: May 30, 2008
STUDIO: New Line
DIRECTOR: Michael Patrick King
SCREENWRITERS: Michael Patrick King, Candace Bushnell (characters from the book)
CAST: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon, et al.
OFFICIAL SITE: SEXANDTHECITYMOVIE.COM

"Many men do not understand
the cult of SEX AND THE CITY." - Christina Han

From the exterior, it looks like flashy clothes they don’t quite understand worn by older women who seem to live beyond their means.

But just like Superman and Batman, these four women serve as the archetypes of what it means to be modern heroines. They overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles, possess Achilles’ heels that prevent them from attaining perfection, and wear costumes that are laughable yet intriguing. Where Batman has his utility belt, Carrie Bradshaw and her cohorts wield Louis Vuitton.

SEX AND THE CITY -- THE television show -- spanned six years of broken relationships, frank sex talk, and ultimately, friendship. One of the issues critics had with the ending was the fact that after six years of preaching female empowerment, the series finale included all four ingénues in tidy relationships.

The film version offers a more realistic conclusion.

And without giving anything away, not all of the ladies end up in a relationship.

The gratuitous sex scenes the show was known for are present yet they are there for a purpose. Every superhero has a main mission in his or her life and in this case, the mission is love.

Now, before you reach for the nearest air sickness bag, SEX AND THE CITY offers enough genuine wit and spark for even the most masculine of audience members.

Kim Cattrall as Samantha Jones stands out with her straightforward attitude and sharp tongue. And although the protagonist is supposed to be Sarah Jessica Parker’s Carrie Bradshaw, Cynthia Nixon shines as the acerbic but vulnerable Miranda Hobbes. Miranda has always been the one to roll with the punches on the show, allowing herself to be seen in the most awkward of positions (sometimes literally) and yet getting through everything with sarcasm and a sense of humor. Bradshaw is noticeably prudish for a sex columnist, as the audience has never truly viewed her in any sexual situation. Even the scenes of her affair with Mr. Big were stylistically sensual, but no skin was shown save for some navel and a collarbone. Cynthia Nixon and Kim Cattrall have always been the ones to portray sex the way it really is…sometimes great, sometimes not, and always what it really looks like when your body isn’t Hollywood perfect but it can do some awesome things.

The movie is a visual extravaganza with a wedding, couture, and the Manhattan skyline. There are bigger than life characters -- like Mr. Big -- whose name is revealed to be John James Preston. Mr. Big has grown into a caring and sympathetic man who truly cares about Carrie and no one can deny the chemistry between Parker and Chris Noth. But...

The glue of the group has always been Kristin Davis’ Charlotte, and it’s truly rewarding to see her finally happy and settled. Whether she will remain to be so up to the mind of the audience member. Her role has always been the romantic optimist who perseveres despite all negativity. Davis delights with her cheerful blend of idiosyncrasies and empathy in her position as the heart amidst the sex.

New York City has rarely looked as beautiful onscreen and Michael Patrick King wrote a heartfelt script with the care that comes from being well acquainted enough to showcase the cast’s talents with complexity and depth. These characters are flawed, but they live in world that is just magical enough to take you away from our reality. And even though they go out and take on their universe every day, they are relatable because you know that they come home to stacks of bills and crying babies.

The world may not have many female superheroes besides Wonder Woman and Batgirl, but there are four intimate heroines named Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda, and Samantha who invite us to go along with them on their mission to believe in love.