Sex and the City (2008)

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Sex and the City 


Director: Michael Patrick King

Writer: Michael Patrick King
    (based on Candace Bushnell's book)

Release Date: May 30, 2008



Synopsis: Sex and the City is coming to the big screen in a feature film adaptation of the hit HBO television series. The film will follow the continuing adventures of the series four main characters - Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda - as they live their lives in Manhattan four years after the series ended. Stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, and Cynthia Nixon are all on board to reprise their roles, while the film will be written and directed by Michael Patrick King, who executive produced the original television series.



Flick Facts:


* The film originally was slated for production shortly after the end of the TV series in 2004. But production was halted when Kim Cattrall pulled out of the film after being unable to reach a salary agreement with HBO. An agreement was finally reached in 2007 which included a series deal for Cattrall.

* Victoria Beckham was offered a cameo role but had to turn it down due to scheduling conflicts with Spice Girls tour rehearsals.

* Sex and the City was shot in a relatively quick 69 days.

* The flower ring that Smith buys for Samantha during the auction was reportedly worth a cool $50,000.

* We learned that Big's first name was John during the last episode of the series; here, we learn that his full name is John James Preston. 

* Filmed in Silvercup Studios in Queens - the same studio space as in the original HBO series.

* Took in $56,848,056 in its opening weekend in the US alone, nearly covering its estimated $65,000,000 cost.



She Said, She Said, She Said, She Said:


* "The good ones screw you, the bad ones screw you and the rest don't know how to screw you." 

* "The only two choices for women . . . witch and sexy kitten."

* "Marriage ruins everything."

 * "It's like trying to fit a cream puff through a keyhole."

* "Some love stories aren't epic novels, some are short stories.  But that doesn't make them any less filled with love." 




Chic Chick Sounds:


Sex and the City's soundtrack has everything from Fergie to Jennifer Hudson to Captain and Tenille (the latter's "Love Will Keep Us Together" plays during Carrie and Miranda's "date" on Valentine's Day).  And during that impromptu fashion show wehre Carrie is modeling her clothing while cleaning out her closet, Run DMC's "Walk This Way" keeps her to the beat.

Sex and the City was one film that I thought would never see the light of day.  Heck, the movie was being discussed before the final scenes of the series were filmed and there were already rumblings of professional discord between the leads.  When a year, then two and three passed, I figured it was a lost cause.

I am happy that I was wrong.  I am also happy that this movie exceeded my expectations and very surprisingly, left me liking Carrie.

Yes, because I was one of "those people" who never "got" Carrie during the run of the show.  I understand she was supposed to be Everywoman but I didn't get it.  She seemed flighty at times with her guys, she was utterly self-centered during her time with Big and flat out rude to her friends when all she wanted to discuss was her situation with Big, the others' lives be damned.  And let's face it, her so-called fashion looked as though a laundromat had puked on her. 

I think Carrie really irretrievably lost me when she panicked on Aidan and that relationship combusted.  The man could build things.  And cook.  And he was sensitive and understanding.  What the hell, Carrie? 

This movie redeemed Carrie for me though.  She seemed much more sedate and subdued and less about herself.  Her relationship with Big seemed healthy and mature.  Even the difficulties peppered throughout the movie (for Carrie and for Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte) seemed realistic and not just plot points.  And some weren't quickly corrected and wrapped up.  In fact, the movie takes place during the course of a year. 

Sex and the City left me wanting to hang out with the fabulous foursome (and even newbie Louise, who, played by the lovely Jennifer Hudson, provided Carrie with much needed professional and emotional support) . . . something I haven't felt a desire to do in a long while!

Best parts of Sex and the City: The friendship between Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda.  It's as dependable as UPS (go brown!) and the true, consistent relationship that each gal has.  And the fact that I didn't want to rip Carrie's head off throughout the entire movie is made of win.


Worst parts of Sex and the City: Sigh.  During the run of the t.v. show, I always loved Samantha the best.  But I felt she was oddly flat and subdued during this flick.  For any other character she would have still be fun but for freespirited and overly sexual Samantha Jones, she was a letdown. 


Spawns and Sequels: Sex and the City 2 is due out May 2010.  This sequel could be nothing but our main girls sitting around at a New York restaurant gossiping and it would still put butts on theater seats.  Provided that the fashion is fabulous, of course.  


The Final Word: Rarely does a movie based on a television series not only do as well as the original series but satisfy the fan's appetites for further adventures and leave them asking for more.  Despite film leaks galore, along with nearly daily photos of the movie being shot in New York and critics' predictions of an epic sized turkey, Sex and the City recouped its costs during its opening weekend . . . quite an admirable feat.  The Powers That Be behind Sex and the City proved that their movie was more than four 30 minute episodes tacked together and more than Sarah Jessica Parker modeling good and horribly bad fashions.  The sequel is justified and well earned.


Sex and the City is available for DVD purchase at most stores, including Amazon.