'Sex' On The Silver Screen

'Sex And The City' Movie A Must-See For Fans; Steady Pace Maintains Interest

By: Valerie Calderon

Posted: 6/9/08

Sex, love, Manhattan, couture and friends - this is what made the six seasons of "Sex and the City" a hit. It's been four years since the last episodes aired, but don't - the movie is well worth the wait for fans of the series.

The four successful friends are back, but they are at very different points in their lives from their first appearances 10 years ago. The show followed Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte as they attempted to find love in New York City and the film puts the closing chapter on their stories years later.

Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) has ditched her column for a book deal and is in the process of writing another novel. Carrie and John J. Preston a.k.a. Mr. Big (Chris Noth) are finally together and have decided to not only move into a huge penthouse apartment, but to get married.

In an attempt to get her life into order Carrie hires an assistant, Louise (Jennifer Hudson), who ends up organizing more than just Carrie's new apartment as she has a lasting effect on her life.

Miranda Hobbes (Cynthia Nixon) hasn't had sex with her husband in six months due to her busy schedule, and infidelity creates a rift in the couple's relationship. Miranda inadvertently plays a huge role in the direction of Carrie and Big's wedding plans.

Charlotte York (Kristin Davis) and her husband have adopted a child, Lily, after unsuccessful attempts at having a child of their own.

"Sex and the City" would be missing most of the sex if it weren't for Samantha Jones (Kim Cattrall). She has settled down with her movie star boyfriend, Smith Jerrod (Jason Lewis) in Los Angeles, but is restless.

The film features plenty of big-name designer label drops and a few fashion montages. The costumes are striking and each character's style is developed.

Carrie is witty in her characteristic voiceover, as the film, much like the series, mixes comedy and drama to tell its story.

Amid the glamour, the film is thoughtful in its morals. Each woman comes into her own and experiences growth throughout the film, whether it is by learning how to forgive, love or be themselves - the characters are dynamic and just as entertaining as they were on the show.

"Sex and the City" is glittery and plastic when it needs to be, but there's nothing pretty about heartache and Carrie's breakdown early on in the film is poignant.

How do you follow up a show that was a pop culture sensation? Carrie and her friends made cosmopolitans fabulous and anyone that watched the show knows who Manolo Blahnik is.

The answer? Don't change a good thing. Sex and the City was always about friendship and writer and director Michael Patrick King keeps this ideal prominent.

The characters' friendship is the main building block for the film. This friendship is what makes this film more than just a shallow movie about sex and fashion in New York City.

At just under two-and-a-half hours, the film is long winded, but a steady pace keeps it interesting.

"Sex and the City" is a must-see for fans of the show, and if you never got into the show, now is not a bad time to start.

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Contact Valerie Calderon at Valerie.Calderon@UConn.edu.