Sex and the City

Title: Sex and the City Cast: Sarah Jessica Parker, Nixon, Kristin Davis, Kim Cattral, Chris Noth, Jennifer Hudson Director: Michael Patrick King Producers: Eric M. Cyphers, Michael Patrick King, John P. Melfi, Sarah Jessica Parker, Darren Star Screenwriters: Michael Patrick King, Candice Bushnell Music: Aaron Zigma Editor: Michael Berenbaum Genre: Romantic Comedy Cinematography: John Thomas Distributor: Cinestar Location: New York, USA and Los Angeles, California Running Time: 150 min.

Technical Assessment: 3

Moral Assessment: 2.5

CINEMA Rating: For mature viewers 18 and above

Sex In the City (The Movie) takes off where the HBO series left five years ago. It begins with Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) giving a fast-paced rundown of her and her friends’ journey in searching and finding love. Five years hence, writer and shoe addict Carrie has been steadily dating her on and off boyfriend, Mr. Big John (Chris Noth) and is about to move in together to an upscale 5^th Avenue Penthouse. Flamboyant PR consultant Samantha Jones has moved to LA to manage her boyfriend Smith’s Hollywood career. Classic Charlotte (Kristin Davis) has adopted a Chinese girl and is living her fairytale marriage with lawyer husband, Harry. And no-nonsense lawyer Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) has moved to the suburbs with her plain Joe husband Steve and son Brady. Despite their career and personal preoccupations as well as the distance between their homes, the girls always find time to get together as they have done for the past 20 years. This time, they attend an auction of a famous girl’s prized pieces of jewelry after she has been thrown out of the house by her billionaire boyfriend--a predicament which Carrie fears and later on voices out to John. They agree that getting married will make their arrangement more secure; soon after, wedding plans are drawn. But the wedding gets cancelled --how ar ethe women going to take the situation?

Fans of the original HBO series will find the movie take a little too overstretched and slow-paced at times. There are several extended scenes which only prolong the movie. The storytelling is a little scattered and the plot a bit loose compared to the tight 30-minuters of the series. However, one will still recognize the familiar elements of the show: the high and colorful fashion, the witty retorts and funny quips and the strong characterizations not just of the four girls but of their respective partners and supporting casts as well. The theme is timeless and universal so that even though the protagonists are 40-something women, audience will still rage, cry, laugh and root for their happy endings. The scoring, though a little corny, still delivers the emotion of the scene. Production design is stupendous and classy especially with Patricia Fields’ couture that not only spells style and creativity but also deepens the characterization as well. Editing and camera works are proficient. Unfortunately, in the effort to lower the ratings to accommodate the younger audience and be able to screen in more cinemas, the splicing of scenes is at times too abrupt and distracting.

What about the message of the movie? First, the positive side: For the movie version, the girls are tamer and more mature in dealing with relationships. They have learned the values of fidelity, commitment and sacrifice. Each story tries to convey a value of relationship and love. Miranda’s story talks how marriage should not be a reason to try hard in sustaining the romance. Samantha shows that at times, one needs to take care of the self before she can take care of others. Charlotte’s story demonstrates how one needs to trust that good things will happen despite the odds. And Carrie’s tale reminds us that weddings are not about the fancy details and elaborate arrangements but about two people in love and willing to spend the rest of their lives together. You get married for the right reasons (even in an “unlabeled” gown) and stay married despite the difficulties and inconveniences. One will also admire the bond of the girls’ friendship and how they are all supportive and forgiving of one another.

Now for the not so positive side: as always, the dialogues and scenes are laden with “sex”, although the lovemaking scenes are tamer and monogamous. Audiences with our culture will be uncomfortable with the “live-in” arrangements of Carrie and Samantha and with the suggestion that marriage is unnecessary when the relationship is going well. Some people may also find sexual humors offensive and crude. Over-all the movie is definitely more subdued but still, it definitely caters to older and more sophisticated, mature viewers.