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Sex and the City (2008)
Director: Michael Patrick King
Movie review
From Time Out New York
Sex and the City was the kind of show that actually improved over time—and not just for us straight guys tuning in for girlie gossip. What started off as Cosmo-lubricated escapism (especially in Candace Bushnell’s original design) slowly began to gain heft, as the real subject came into view: mortality. Men would never fully complete these women, nor would sex, though the show’s fuck-me feminism was certainly welcome. When brassy Samantha (Cattrall), the series’s finest creation, quietly broke down at a funeral, we were suddenly watching real drama.
You’ll hear much sniffling in your dolled-up audience as this mega-anticipated film version unspools. That’s actually a good thing: Sex and the City, written and directed by the show’s most intelligent helmer, Michael Patrick King, is a proper evolution, gradually empowered, honest and loaded with candy-colored anxiety. Yes, Big (Chris Noth) and Carrie (Parker) plan a gorgeous wedding, complete with a Vogue photo shoot. But he bails at the last minute, stranding her at the altar. For the next two hours plus, the movie is a mourning story, a resiliency tale. Tears are shed in a Mexican retreat. Hair is dyed dark. It’s serious-period Woody Allen, if he were a better shopper.
Carrie hires an intuitive assistant (Jennifer Hudson, better than in her overrated Dreamgirls turn) to help her go through the wreckage of her life, and the film leans into some rebirth clichés—even literally, when Charlotte (Davis) suddenly turns up preggers. But here too is cheating, jealousy and smugness. More subtly, can you think of the last time a Hollywood movie starred four cougars? (Hollywood needs SATC more than HBO does.) Of course, there’s room for multiple resolutions that accommodate forgiveness—and truthfulness. In a sense, that’s the happiest ending of all for a show that required its wrinkles more than it knew.
Author: Joshua Rothkopf
Time Out New York Issue 661: May 29–June 4, 2008
User reviews of this film
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- CHRISTINE said...
- Posted on Jun 18 2008 10:29 I THOUGHT THE MOVIE WAS A LITTLE "SAPPY" AND I AGREE WITH OTHERS THAT IT SHOWED ALOT OF MATERIALISTIC VIEWS, BUT IT WAS FUN, NO OSCARS HERE, JENNIFER HUDSON WONT GET "LUCKY" AGAIN.
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- SG said...
- Posted on Jun 15 2008 08:58 As a real fan of the series I thought the film lacked the quick wit, intelligence and cynicism of the TV show. It was entertaining but not in any way challenging. ALso disappointing was the fascination with labels and symbols of wealth which were a little more subtle previously. For me it was a "rom-com" and a little too Hollywood - not enough New york!
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- Romeo said...
- Posted on Jun 12 2008 12:00 what a fag! Why give away the plot so precisely just because you've seen the movie. Give other people a chance to fulfill the anticipation. Anyways, to be general the movie was remarkable, fascinating, and thrilling all at once. so, enjoy it if you haven't seen it already. Take Romeo's word.
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- Kimmy said...
- Posted on Jun 02 2008 01:25 I was initially surprised that the critic revealed a plot point, however I made sure to see the movie before reading ANY reviews. Gotta keep it to military silence kids. And FYI, the plot point was given away in the trailers.
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- Judi said...
- Posted on Jun 01 2008 01:58 This was a great movie!!! It was so good seeing the girls back together on the big screen! I laughed and cried all through the movie. I give this move 5 full stars and TWO GIANT thumbs up!!
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- Leo said...
- Posted on May 31 2008 22:12 Man-oh-man!! The controversey, the build-up, the anticipation? This movie delivered like a third date orgasm. Absof@*!inglutely fabulous. Yassin has a life supply of brownies.
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- GRP said...
- Posted on May 31 2008 16:20 Joshua Rothkopf should be stoned.Or, maybe he was stoned when he wrote this review. What other explanation could there be to why he revealed the plot to the most anticipated movie of the summer without first warning the reader.Idiot.....................
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- Deb said...
- Posted on May 31 2008 02:36 Good lord all of you, he didn't give anything away that wasn't friggin obvious. No spoiler here, just go see the dang movie and quit wasting your time here!
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- MisssyM said...
- Posted on May 30 2008 18:38 The reviewer doesn't reveal the whole plot , only the denouement, and if everyone was really bothered about finding out any details you would avoid all reviews before going to see the film.
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- Mandy said...
- Posted on May 30 2008 10:42 Hey TIME OUT--- You need to REMOVE this "review" ASAP.. I am shocked that plot was revealed... What a bummer! And Cougars...? So rude
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- cwh said...
- Posted on May 29 2008 19:04 SPOILER ALERT!!!! You should preface the article with plot revealed. I haven't seen it yet so am not sure if your comments are true. If they are you should preface it with plot revealed. If they aren't you should say "my idea of what should have happened.'
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- Steven said...
- Posted on May 29 2008 18:36 He certainly should have included a Spoiler Alert. But I've seen the film, and there is sooo much more to the movie that what appears in the review. If you liked the show, you will love the film, is my take. It is a little long, but who cares? It's touching and it's funny and it's every bit a bigger version of the TV series. You'll love it.
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- MariaElena said...
- Posted on May 29 2008 18:19 OMG you idiot how could you give away the movie! You should be fired and not allowed to write another review EVER! JERK!
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- Ali said...
- Posted on May 29 2008 17:47 I am disgusted that you gave away the pivotal plot point about Big and Carrie. I wanted a review, not a recap! That's just HORRIBLE and this review should be taken down immediately!
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- Laura.J said...
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Posted on May 29 2008 12:54
You all need to let it go.
Sharon said what happened in a bit of the film then Casey had a go at her.
No one else does for gods sake.
The film was ok, but it was too long and it could have been made shorter but yeah it's something you can go to see with fellow women. - Report as inappropriate
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Cast & crew
Director: Michael Patrick King
Cast: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis, Jennifer Hudson, Chris Noth, Candice Bergen, Lynn Cohen, Mario Cantone full cast
Rated: R
Duration: 142 mins
US Release: May 30 2008
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