SEX AND THE CITY

Michael Patrick King Written by Michael Patrick King,Candace Bushnell A continuation of the long running and popular female-centric HBO series Starring Sarah Jessica Parker,Kim Cattrall,Kristin Davis,Cynthia Nixon,Chris Noth, Jennifer Hudson,Candice Bergen, David Eigenberg,Evan Handler,Jason Lewis, Mario Cantone, Willie Garson Distributed by New Line Cinema & HBO Films Film was released May 28th 2008 (U.K.) & May 30th 2008 (U.S.) Review by Ray DeRousse

rating:1

First of all, I am not a fan of the long-running HBO series. I have never watched an episode in my life. I did this for you, dear readers. I watched SEX AND THE CITY: THE MOVIE for you, which is akin to taking a bullet for someone. The movie apparently picks up three years after the end of the series. The four girls in question - Carrie (SARAH JESSICA PARKER), Samantha (KIM CATTRALL), Charlotte (KRISTIN DAVIS), and Miranda (CYNTHIA NIXON) - have all found love and moved into new phases of their lives. Then, various troubles befall them all, and they cope with the help of one another ... and lots of expensive clothes and other materialistic pursuits. I use the word "trouble" loosely in reference to this movie, since the problems encountered by these unpleasant cunts are pathetically empty and shallow. For instance, Carrie's concerned about the million-dollar penthouse her husband is buying in downtown New York. Charlotte's big dilemma is that she is too happy and content. Um, what? Is that supposed to be drama, or some sort of ridiculous joke? Not one of these bitches has ever known trouble of any kind; I can only imagine the caterwauling if one of them breaks a heel. I kept hoping one of them would develop an aggressively malignant glioma, or be struck by lightning by an angry, angry God. Alas, they continue to live while millions around the world die of starvation, genocide, and disease. Oh well ... does anyone want to get a Cosmo and then hit the stores??? YAY!!!! The performances barely warrant acknowledgement. Parker's features, stretched to the dimensions of a theater screen, take on an almost Picasso-like quality. The rest of the cast poses for obligatory shots of various clothing lines and lingerie without even a whiff of cleverness or subtlety. In fact, the actresses unwisely pitch their performances like they're still on television, which always looks ridiculous on the big screen. Truthfully, this movie exists to make money. It has no other purpose on a theater screen. There is no solid story here; everything is just a limp continuation of the television series. Which begs the question: why not simply make a made-for-television movie out of it? Oh yeah ... money. And they know they are going to make shitloads of it from the ravenous throngs of women flocking to the theaters together to "bond" with old favorites. Which then begs a bigger question: Are women really this fucking stupid? Are they incapable of seeing the moral and spiritual bankruptcy of this entire franchise? Women who watch this series and movie should not be allowed to vote or drive cars, since, by endorsing societal cancers like this, they only foster stereotypes and defeat the feminist movement. Films like this tell us that women only like to shop and worry about men. Films like this tell us that women are materialistic, and only want a man that can provide luxuries or hefty amounts of dick. They reinforce the notion that women are self-absorbed, insecure, insular, and phony. I cannot imagine a self-respecting woman watching this putrid shit and feeling anything but utter contempt. And as a guy, I really fucking hated it. This movie seems out of touch, as several countries around the world are suffering through terrible catastrophes and severe economic downturns. While film is an escapist medium, the very fact that this movie extols the virtues of a hedonistic, materialistic lifestyle makes the current climate in the world very relevant. Nobody I know can currently afford to drop $400 on a pair of shoes, or jet around the country at the drop of an expensive hat; they're too busy paying $3000 to fill up their Ford Focus. This entire production feels like it belongs in another time period, like the late nineties when it first premiered. I have no doubt that the film will do well with its core audience, which is mystifying loyal to this franchise despite its obvious artificiality. However, this film is too damn long, too damn pointless, and too damn vapid for anyone else with even one bloody shart (noun: a wet fart) of self-respect. Awful. Ladies, you should be ashamed of yourselves.