Sex and the City: The Movie
Film: Sex and the City: The Movie
Studio: Warner Brothers Studio/ New Line Cinema
Director: Michael Patrick King
Principal Actors: Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis
Running Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
Rating: R
Released: May 30th 

Reviewed By: Rosemary Newton (Vancouver Correspondent - Canada) 

The evening the Sex and the City movie came out...I was ready. Two friends and myself met each other after work with a plan; we would go for a few drinks (bellinis, not cosmopolitans), dressed in our most fabulous shoes (aldo, not manolo), and then line up to see the most anticipated chick flick since, well, ever. Plans fell through a little, however, when we realized, upon arriving at the theatre, that the movie was sold out.

After one more failed attempt (poor planning on my part), I finally managed to squeeze my way into a theatre. It was a matinée, on a week day, and still, there was a full audience. Thankfully, I arrived early enough to stake out a good seat and didn't end up in the front row, straining desperately to see the film, like some of my fellow movie goers. I love Sex and the City, but I'm not sure if a sprained neck would have been worth it. Crowded theatres and sold out shows aside, the Sex and the City movie did not disappoint. 

We are joined by lead lady Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker), along with her pals Samantha (Kim Cattrall), Charlotte (Kristin Davis) and Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), four years since the last episode. Despite numerous plot developments, the foursome remains largely the same. Carrie, the perpetual single girl, is reflective as ever, and about to tie-the-knot with Big (Chris Noth). Samantha, despite finding herself in a monogamous (gasp) relationship with Smith (Jason Lewis), still loves, loves, loves sex. Miranda is serious and cynical as ever, balancing work and home life in Brooklyn with Steve (David Eigenberg) and Brady. Charlotte is still preppy and pristine, living a picture perfect life with her adopted daughter and husband, Harry (Evan Handler). Newcomer Jennifer Hudson joins the cast as Carrie's idealist assistant, who is looking for love in NYC. Things get a little messed up, however, when pregnancy, cold feet, infidelity and an incredibly hot neighbour get thrown into the mix.  

The result is a smooth movie which explores motherhood, marriage, aging and friendship in SATC's trademark hilarious and relatable way. The issues are larger this time around, yet the plot doesn't commit itself to being too serious (bikini waxing - or lack of, fashion, and of course, sex, are central topics).

Samantha gets some hilarious one-liners, and is allowed to develop as a character more than she was ever able to on the show. The sex symbol also turns fifty in the movie, yet remains as youthful and vivacious as ever. All of the leads give consistent performances, and are as lovable as they were four years ago. Some might say that, being almost two and a half hours, the movie drags. There is little to no filler, however, and as I filed out of the theatre with the rest of the giddy audience, I just wanted more. 

Watching the Sex and the City movie is kind of like reading a gossip magazine, or spending an evening laughing over nothing with your friends; it's frivolous and bubbly, the ultimate in light hearted entertainment. Ah yes, and the fashion was amazing, to say the least. Sure, it's doubtful that you'll see any middle-aged women strutting to your local grocery store in Patricia Field's (the stylist behind Sex and the City's trademark style) insanely outlandish stylings, but the wide array of stilettos, bags, dresses and hats (the list goes on; Carrie explores wedding dresses this time around as well: yowza), are definitely fun to watch on the big screen.

I loved this movie. It is sweet chick flick entertainment as its finest, but with cutting humour, well written dialogue and a plot deeper than one would expect, the Sex and the City movie is also substantial enough to not fall flat. Granted, this movie isn't for everyone. The majority of straight men, for example, seem to completely abhor both Sex and the City and Sarah Jessica Parker, which seems fairly uncalled for. I have never understood this intense hatred. I get how men might not be able to relate to the main characters, but it's not like, as a women, I get deeply offended by all movies starring men (if that was the case, I would rarely watch movies at all). In any case, this is definitely a movie to see with the girls.  

Gender discussions aside, Sex and the City: The Movie, is truly delightful and yes, fabulous.