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In
the picture
Sex and the City***
*ing: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Catrall, Cynthia Nixon and
Kristin Davis
Directed by Michael Patrick King
Tagline: Get 'Carried' Away
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The Sex and the
City movie has been Botoxed so much that it has lost all its expression.
Samantha Jones says in the movie, “A little Botox goes a long
way, baby,-- which may be true but in the case of SATC only an 'extreme
makeover', the nip, tuck and slice kind could have saved its face.
Is it really that bad? No, not at all. All fashion lovers who live
their lives knee deep in consumerism will LOVE the high street fashion.
But is it as great as one expected it to be? Again, not at all. In
fact it is a depressing disappointment because after having watched
all eight seasons on the telly and then repeatedly on DVD, one expected
a lot more; maybe a little too much. In being adapted and expanded
for the big screen SATC has flown out of proportion and it has lost
much of its essence.
Carrie Bradshaw, now hitting her forties, is visibly aging (and it
shows more in cinemascope-this may be an extremely flaky thing to
bring up but we are talking about Sex and the City, where appearances
are everything!), Mr Big, once the ideal father figure has officially
stepped into the shoes of a 'grandfather' figure; he comes across
as Carrie's sugar daddy at best (do you know any living male who would
actually understand the female obsession of fashion to the extent
of building a customized walk-in closet for her…one that perfectly
perches high heels…in reality that man would be gay!). Samantha
Jones, the fiercely independent publicist is touching fifty and has
lost her punch in doing so - her sexcapades have been reduced to nothingness.
Could one ever imagine this woman living a monogamous life, waiting
for and on one man? Miranda has a family and a high level career but
her story drags on endlessly and unnecessarily. Charlotte is the only
one who is “happy everyday-- and makes just as much (or less)
sense as she did in the series. |
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The glory of
the series was the fact that ultimate happiness was not possible in
this day and age, romantic miracles did not happen on earth (especially
not in Manhattan) and fairy tales do not come true. When you live
in the world's fastest city, don't hold your breath, expecting a Prince
Charming to wipe you off your feet. It'll be romantic suicide. That
was the USP of the series so one finds it quite cheesy when Carrie's
true love Mr Big takes her high heeled Manolo Blahnik as a new age
Cinderella's glass slipper and drives her in his huge black Mercedes
into a 'happily ever after' ending. It doesn't gel well with the skeptical,
critical thirty something women, who swore by the philosophy that
it's better to be happy single than in an unhappy relationship.
But having said that, SATC is the quintessential 'chick flick' for
older chicks. SATC throws love, sex and relationships into the latest
Louis Vuitton bag and serves it shaken up for extra effect. The film
begins where the TV series ended. Carrie is in the final round of
relationship with Mr Big, Samantha is still living in with her younger
actor boyfriend 'Smith', Miranda is braving it out in Brooklyn with
her family whereas Charlotte is happily married to Harry and they
are happily raising their adopted daughter Lily. Jennifer Hudson is
briefly brought in as Carrie's assistant even though Carrie has no
need for one. How physically taxing can a weekly sex column be, after
all? |
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For fashion
lovers, the movie offers moments that get you hooked to. The Vogue
shoot, for instance, that also brings in Vogue Fashion Editor Andre
Leon Tally and Vogue writer Plum Sykes. Or the hyperactivity of New
York Fashion Week. Or the simple salvation that can be found only
in retail therapy. What women wouldn't be happy with a boot full of
Versace, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Prada and Fendi. That spree is easily
a day in the life of any SATC character and that is the bigger fairy
tale in this story. How any of them can afford their lifestyles is
a question one shouldn't bother asking - it's like questioning the
reality of Sleeping Beauty waking up to a kiss.
The story travels through highs and lows for Carrie Bradshaw and her
friends and perhaps the message of friendship is the most relevant
to rise. One loves the moment when Carrie, heartbroken and furious,
clings to her friend Charlotte for support. It's heartwarming to see
Carrie, already asleep on New Year's eve, brave the snow and slush
of New York to make a trip across town to be with her lonely and depressed
friend Miranda. The movie shows the value of good friends and the
investments one must make to keep those friendships alive. That is,
perhaps the best message sent out by Sex and the City.
Needless to say that if you were a fan of the series, you must watch
the movie. It's a must watch of all fashionistas or aspiring fashionistas,
or anyone who liked the Devil Wears Prada. For film watchers searching
for the deeper meaning of life, I'm afraid the beauty of this film
is only skin deep - and that too Botoxed!
-- Aamna Haider Isani
*YUCK
**WHATEVER
***GOOD
****SUPER
*****AWESOME
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