The one where legions of females stab me with the pointed heel of their stiletto June 8, 2008
Posted by brandy in confession of the day, don't hate me for this, if you're shallow and you know it clap your hands!, movies, oh look! i have opinions., soapbox, when i say it anyway.trackback
Let me preface this with saying this entire post is about Sex and the City. Let me also say, that there are spoilers in this. Many. So, if you haven’t seen the movie, you may want to skip this post. And if your love for the movie outweighs the love you feel towards any human, you may also want to skip this because I’m afraid you may not like me after reading this.
Because I have to say, I didn’t LOVE the movie.
Put the knives down ladies, and let me explain.
First of all, I feel it’s important for me to assure you that I’m a true fan. I bought each season as they came out- I’m an old school viewer- complete with all 6 seasons encased in those crap plastic cases that fall apart, rather than the pink suede covered box set that came out later. I have a favourite Season (Season 4- the season that dealt with pregnancy, death, cancer, abortion, fertility, divorce and lovely Aidan in a suit). I have a favourite episode “The Good Fight” (Season 4 Episode 61). I have favourite outfits- the Givenchy dress Carrie wears in Episode 51, the Alberta Ferretti dress Carrie wears in Episode 86 and the vintage seafoam gown Carrie runs in the last episode of the series (Episode 94). I have favourite moments- Charlotte reading Carrie Big’s wedding announcement in her apartment, the speech Carrie gives Berger’s friends in Bed, Samantha’s laugh when Charlotte asks her to stop sending her email forwards (Episode 54) and Carrie walking with Miranda at her mom’s funeral (Episode 56).
I have laughed, I have swooned, I have cried. I have got irrationally angry (hello Berger? You. Are. Lame.), obssevissely addicted (I would be scared to learn how many times I’ve watched Season 4) and unapologetically defensive (it’s more than a show about shoes!).
I am a fan.
So it’s with a heavy heart that I state here that I was disappointed with the movie. I say it knowing full well, that 99.98% of the movie reviews I’ve encountered have been raving. I wish I felt that. But I don’t. And here’s why:
- I do not like how Carrie took on the blame for Big not getting out of the cab. Perhaps if Big had said something like “I can’t marry you with 250 people watching, let’s cut the guest list down”, I would understand. But he didn’t do that, so why is she taking the blame?
- Carrie’s anger at Miranda over what Miranda said to Big on the wedding eve. Seriously? If your soon-to-be husband FLEES the wedding scene because of ONE comment made by someone who is clearly going through serious martial issues, wouldn’t you think that the guy has some issues of his own? Why put the blame on Miranda? If a guy wants to marry you, he will marry you despite what a friend who’s husband just cheated on her says. That fight was ridiculous.
- Big’s character in general. Granted, I understand he was scared, but when did her want to wear a pretty dress become so frightening that he was forced to flee? As you know, it’s his THIRD wedding. Surely he knew what was going to happen. He went from being a strong male character, to a wimp- paralyzed to the point he couldn’t leave his car? Lame.
- All the male characters were suddenly fit into the most stereotypical roles. Harry, Steve, Big, Smith- none of them showed any real growth. Smith went from a guy who shaved his head in support of his girlfriend and flying home just to say “I love you”, to a guy who says “it’s no big deal” when he’s late on Valentine’s Day. Carrie gets a new phone number, so Big can’t call, but if Big really wanted to get a hold of her- couldn’t he have stopped by her place? Steve, the affair would have been so much more believable if he would have (just once!) gotten angry at Miranda. Putting foam on his lips and kissing her really didn’t set up the idea of an affair for me.
- Speaking of ’stereotypes’, it annoyed me that as soon as Samantha fell into a serious relationship she became shrill when Smith didn’t show up on time and ate a lot out of worry. Couldn’t the writers have thought of something else for her to do when she worried?
- St. Louise? I’m not even going to touch that. If Jen Hud’s eyes got any bigger during the movie, I’m sure they would have fallen into her rented Louis Vuitton.
- The foundation of the show has always been that your friends will be there for you despite your struggles and to cheer you on in your celebrations. I didn’t understand how Carrie-a character who is so fully invested in her girlfriends would suddenly think it’s okay to not have any of them show up at her wedding. How a character so independent would go from wanting a dream wedding with a triple digit guest list to a city hall wedding with no one to watch her. Why there could be no compromise- and have her best friends there. I understand that not having them there allowed Big to be a hero and call them to come, but is that really the same?
With that said, there were great moments. Charlotte yelling at Big and putting Carrie in the cab, Samantha’s rationalization over what upset her about Smith buying the ring, Carrie running to Miranda’s on New Year’s Eve. The clothes! The Vogue photo shoot, Samantha feeding Carrie, Charlotte’s guilt over getting it all, Carrie looking in the mirror when they get to Mexico, and the comedic timing of Charlotte.
I suppose that when you love a show for so long, it’s impossible not to expect perfection. And it’s impossible for perfection to be achieved. Because what you want can’t happen- a writer can’t get into your brain and deliver the story you believe should be told in 2 hours and 28 minutes. Despite my complaints, I did enjoy the movie. And I did laugh. And I did cry. And I did swoon. The movie did everything that I expected it to, just not much more. So, I give it an A-, and hope that we can all still be friends.
The friends who give each other $6,000 Louis Vuitton purses for Christmas.
I loved season 4 too! That’s my go-to DVD. Aidan. Mmmm, Aidan.
I thought the Big thing was lame too. No man wants a huge wedding with designer dresses. But many go through with it. Charlotte yelling at Big in the street after the bouquet beating, I agree, wonderful moment. That’s the one point where my breath caught in my chest and I got teary. Applause to Kristin Davis.
I just thought it was “cute” at first, but now that it has been a few days, and I’ve thought about it, I do think I love it. I left going “why did they settle?!?!?! Those guys HURT them!!!”, but I think it really is a lesson in following your gut. Not your head that says not to do something out of pride, or your heart that is full of happy gushy warm fuzzy feelings, but your gut. That feeling that you KNOW is right, but for some reason we always try to argue with…
Oh, one last thing, Jennifer Hudson’s character (and acting really) was annoying.
My favorite part of the movie was when Charlotte yelled at Big too
I agree about the male characters. They all lacked growth and either stayed the same or regressed. No bueno!
My favorite part of this movie will be when something else comes out that’s bigger and better (Batman!!!!) and people stop talking about four self absorbed women from NYC. Oh wait, did I confuse this with Real Housewives of NYC? *ducks stilettos*
Ooops! This will show you how many freakin’ user ID’s I have (dingosays, dingo, etc.), I posted under the wrong user ID. But this gives me another chance to say something else about Sex in the City.
Although I hated the rampant commercialism of the show — and I admit, I only saw a few — if any of my friends want to give me a $6000 Louis Vuitton purse, I will gladly accept it.
Agreed. I had such an issue with Carrie seemingly over-reacting to Big “leaving her at the altar.” And then not even listening to the messages. I mean the dude was there and was dressed and said he didn’t mean it. C’mon.
Also there was ZERO story development. How did we know that the wedding had grown SO HUGE? Or that Steve and Miranda were that bad off? OR anything really – especially for a movie that was 2.5 hours – why did nothing actually happen?
1. I did kind of think Carrie should take some responsibility- I mean it’s not like Big wasn’t giving signals that it was all too much. She made it all about the wedding, not the marriage.
2. I agree about the Carrie/Miranda fight. I thought the whole time that Miranda wasn’t telling her that she was making too big a deal of it. I was surprised when Carrie acted that way.
3. Samantha feeding Carrie almost made me cry.
4. Most of the clothes didn’t really impress me that much.
Mmmm Aiden….
And I wonder how many men have watched this so far…
I haven’t seen the movie yet, but I hatehateHATE Big’s character. HATE. So I’m kind of scared to see it because I know it’s only going to make me angry. I also loveloveLOVE Steve so I’m pissed about that development, too. Bummer.
Okay. I saw this movie just this past Friday and I did love it, but like you, there were things that bugged me.
The biggest thing that bugged me the most, is when Samantha showed up at Carrie’s apartment (and by the way did you love how she re-decorated it??) and how they were all amazed at how fat she got. Ummmm … what?!??! THAT is fat??? I suppose that it would be a big deal for someone who so consistently takes care of herself, but seriously her sliver of a roll shouldn’t have been the first thing that people noticed. I dunno … that just bugged the hell out of me.
I also thought it was unrealistic that for 6 months, Carrie wanted nothing to do with Big, but then within a half an hour of seeing him, accepted his marriage proposal.
For some reason, I was expecting to see some more cameos of past characters (like Aidan or Burger … or even Stick Figure With No Soul). I heard there is talk of movie number two, so maybe in that one?
OH and my favourite outfit in that show was the first one we see Carrie wear … that white one with the massive flower? So pretty! Also, so something I could not pull off! Damn that Carrie!
And I’m re-watching the Seasons and am on Season 4, where Carrie and Aidan break up for the final time. Damn he looked good in that suit.
And I’ll stop commenting now.
for the most part, i loved the movie. i think i was so excited that i automatically shut off my inner critic. it worked for the most part, except for when jennifer hudson was on screen – then my brain was screaming “i don’t care about her! get her off the screen!” i also hated being stuck in the theatre with so many 50 year-old women who laughed at every little sexual joke.
I have to agree, the movie did NOT live up to the status of the show. Something was just off about the movie.
Carrie’s character became boring/dull.
I did like Miranda/Steve’s story in the movie much more.
I think Big is the BIGGEST pansie/idiot ever. Some of his lines were just so horrible. (In the limo “wait what am I doing, I love her. – so forced and so fake).
The fashion was wayy toooo HIGH fashion and it would’ve been nice to see an old ex in the city
You’re too nice with your letter grade. I’ll give it a B-/C+
I agree with you on the whole Jennifer Hudson thing– I thought it was just TOO cheesy. My favorite part of the movie BY FAR had to be Charlotte’s comedic timing! I guess it would be Kristin Davis or whatever, but her delivery was fantastic throughout the whole movie.
And I agree also about Carrie not wanting her 3 friends there… Like you know big would have been cool w/ them being in the audience at city hall or wherever it took place.
I’m with you. I’ve watched every episode over and over and have always been a fan. I had a good time and enjoyed the movie, but wouldn’t say I loved it either. Glad I’m not the only one!
I pretty much agree with your whole post (I don’t think you should fear any female backlash, don’t worry). Although, I don’t know which reviews you were reading because before the movie came out, people were just attacking it! They were saying it was way too long, the fashion week thing was random and stupid, etc. I don’t think it was too long. I think the time could have been used more wisely. And you totally hit the nail on the head with your observations about the male characters being so stagnant and unbelievable. I could have done with more Harry though.
I agree. And then I agree some more. Ugh. I’m not nearly or even close the fan you are, but so much of that movie just didn’t work.
Story development … editing … ugh.
the good fight is By Far the very best episode EVER! i laugh every single time.
and i agree with alot of those points, but i did come out saying i loved it.
and i thinkg Jennifer Hudson is a terrible actress. she should stick to singing. i get why they picked her (reeling in the younger audience) but i strongly believe that if they were just trying to incorporate a girl of another race they had So Many more options. better options.
i think A- is fair.
I felt that it simply lacked the warmth and grit of the series – was too “hollywood” or something
and? Big never once utttered “absofuckinglutely”
(though of course I will buy it when it comes out …)
i totally agree with you. as you know, ive been eagerly awaiting our chat on this. when i got your message the other day that you were going to see the movie, i literally “ahh’d!!” out loud.
every single thing you said in this post? my feelings exactly. from many of your favo(u)rite moments in each episode, down to the seafoam dress carrie wears in paris (looooove it!). i knew that i might not LOVE love the movie, i didnt know what to exactly expect, and though i did love PARTS of it, on the whole, could it ever really, truly measure up to the past 6 seasons? i wanted more. more of each girl’s story, more steve and miranda like you said, just… more. i feel like the crammed so much in, and in doing so, some of the plot was compromised.
anyway, good assessment indeed my friend.
ill stop bogarting your comment box now and just resort to email instead.
I so agree, while I loved it I wanted Carrie to be Carrie and not Big-Carrie. ya know?
Charlotte was my favorite. I am so her. It is always the Charlotte you run to and who sticks up for you when the chips are down.
Good review.
The movie reminds me of the series in that it’s entertaining but sort of depressing. It’s depressing that Big and Carrie didn’t speak for six months but then end up on the closet floor, deciding to get married in a “ceremony” without her friends/family there. I guess there’s something about that relationship that seems so fundamentally unloving to me that it’s hard to get past that to believe it could be a solid, healthy marriage.
As for the clothes, I thought Samantha’s was out of an 80’s catalog and that Carrie’s were just plan ugly. Glad to see Miranda dressing better, and Charlotte made an adorable pregnant person.
Everything you wrote is exactly how I feel.
I wrote a review for my school paper, and I gave it a similar grade: 3.5 stars, and I was just as harsh on the movie, and I got ripped apart.
Your review gives me reassurance. It wasn’t trying to be Oscar-worthy, nor should it have to, and it does what it sets out to do: give the fans a better ending.
Anyway, great review.
awesome review!! (mine feels so lackluster in comparison) and i agree with you on most points
and i’ll totally be a friend if you give me a $6k louis vuitton bag (jk!!!) but you’re right there were moments that were just soo…satc that it hurt. it made my heart hurt … like seeing carrie just sit there with the vodka bottle devastated. Like samantha feeding her in mexico. the fact that those three girls rushed to take care of her when she needed it most. i felt that that in and of itself? Was the underlying theme of not only the movie but reminded us all what we loved most about the show.
and the dress? loooove. the vuitton that she gave louise? Not so much.
Lisa H- I completely agree that the movie focused a lot on following your gut, I just wish that Carrie’s gut didn’t make her think that marrying a guy after not talking to him for a year was the right thing to do, you know? And I feel bad for Jennifer Hudson, I can’t decide if it was her character that was lame or her acting!
freeandflawed- I think I liked that part because it seemed the most real to me. In a movie where everyone owns $8,000 bags and looks like a movie star- a scene where a friend is shaking with anger and yelling at a guy… well, that seemed like something I could really relate to.
Dingo- I read an article about that- they were talking about how HBO got swallowed up by New Line Cinema and how they didn’t have the budget they thought they were going to have so they went with some ‘corporate sponsors’ for the show. Which, I suppose, makes sense.
Anne- Exactly. I felt like… so much happened and also nothing happened at the same time. Apparently major scenes and storylines got cut- Aidan got cut, so did Steve’s mom’s scenes… and I always loved her.
POTU- I get what you are saying, but to me giving a signal is not the same thing as saying I CAN’T DO THIS BIG WEDDING. LET’S COMPROMISE, you know? And I don’t know if I agree with the idea that she made it all about the wedding and not the marriage. I mean, her phone call with Big the night before getting married seemed really about the marriage to me. She did and said everything she could have to reassure him.
Gany- There was a large group of guys who were at my showing. My friend pointed it out and thought it was awesome. I thought it would be a clever way to meet girls.
Laurie- I loved Steve too. He was so damn great in the show, I wish he didn’t turn into such a mess in the movie.
EM- The “Sam is fat” line got me too. I mean, that stomach roll? Please. And the suddenly accepting the marriage proposal annoyed me. It’s like, if Carrie is willing to do it EXACTLY how Big wants to- it will be great. Lameo. As for the clothes- I didn’t love a lot, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t appreciate them. It’s like going to a museum with paintings you would never want in your own home but you still marvel at them. I have to say, I really didn’t love the shoes. Gladiator sandals are one thing, but some of those shoes that they wore? Eek. As for Aidan in the suit. I know. I KNOW. Sometimes I just watch those old Aidan moments and hug my tv.
Erin- Dude. I wasn’t going to bring this up but I’m so annoyed and you mentioned 50+ and it brought it all back… My two girlfriends and I went on Friday. I got the times mixed up, so we were there super early- so early in fact we were the first people in the theatre. We get prime seating. The theatre fills- then, during a preview to “he’s just not that into you”, the fire alarm goes. So, we have to exit the theatre. We return, go to our old seats (because everyone around us has returned to their original seats)- except there are two elderly women sitting where we were. And they won’t move down ONE spot so us three can sit together. Annoyed? Yes. So, we end up sitting in the second row. I was not pleased.
lifeaccordingtobhanu- Agreed about Big’s lines. I mean, the one in the car when he’s like “Carrie, just let me see your face. Show me that it’s just you and me” or whatever the hell he said… it was so awkward I cringed.
Maxie- Yep, Charlotte/Kristen Davis really helped the movie I think. Her in Mexico? Oh, I still giggle thinking about that.
edger- Nope, you are definitely not alone!!
justrun- It’s funny, one of my friends (who I didn’t see the movie with) commented on the editing too. I didn’t notice but she pointed out a TON of things that were out of sync.
notsojenny- When she starts shouting about ‘rogaine and the speeds tick’ I always crack up. As for the movie, I’m not sure if it was Jen’s acting or the role. I mean… that would be a tough role to fall into and make realistic you know??
Kathryn- Oh, I will buy it too! I liked that it was dark at times (Carrie taking off her sunglasses in Mexico? Oh man, that was a moment), but I get what you are saying. I felt like there weren’t very many moments where the four of them felt really… together like they were on the show. I missed the old coffee shop scenes.
brookem- You said ‘bogarting’. I love that. I heard that they are working on a sequel. I can’t decide if I love or hate that idea.
tipptalk- Agreed. Miranda was too angry in the movie. A friend and I were talking- it’s like… every girl’s personality became multiplied for the big screen. Miranda got angrier, Charlotte got happier/more prudish…. even the clothes got more over the top.
Ally- I think you totally hit it on the head for me with “there’s something about that relationship that seems so fundementally unloving to me…”. I completely agree with that. It’s not very tender. There’s a lot of jokes, a lot of sex… but it’s not very… warm. As for the clothes, I definitely think Miranda improved. I love watching the early seasons and seeing what Patricia Field put her in. So nuts.
Maria- Eep! I’m sorry you got ripped apart. I think it’s hard to be honest sometimes about something you love, or that you’ve looked forward to for so long. And the thing is, A 3.5 or an A- isn’t horrible- but pretending that the movie was better than it was- that would be a cinematic tragedy.
legallyheidi- Dude. That purse was not pretty. At all. And I just read that the ‘love’ keychain was over $6,000. So if you don’t want to give me a purse, you can give me that instead.
I could write a post like this about The Hills except I don’t watch the show and there hasn’t been a movie made about it.
My lovely wife wasn’t a fan of the movie. Sure it was entertaining she said, but the movie wrapped everything up too nicely. I have to say I’ve never liked the stupid Mr. Big character. Good on you for speaking your mind.
egan- Dude. You have to watch the show at least once so you can understand all the Justin Bobby jokes. And to fully understand the ridiculousness of the US Weekly covers. Oh, who am I kidding. I think you get the ridiculousness already. As for your wife, she sounds like a smart, smart lady.
Carrie’s anger at Miranda over what Miranda said to Big on the wedding eve. Seriously? If your soon-to-be husband FLEES the wedding scene because of ONE comment made by someone who is clearly going through serious martial issues, wouldn’t you think that the guy has some issues of his own? Why put the blame on Miranda? If a guy wants to marry you, he will marry you despite what a friend who’s husband just cheated on her says. That fight was ridiculous.
I FELT THE SAME WAY
What Liz Said- I’m glad that bothered others too. And I mean, Carrie and that whole ‘what hurts the most is that you kept a secret..’ deal… seriously? SERIOUSLY? It’s not like Miranda had an affair with Big and kept it a secret. She withheld sharing ONE comment she made because she thought it would hurt Carrie’s feelings. AND it’s not like she didn’t agonize over it, or ask Charlotte for advice. Oy. That moment made me really want to hit Carrie with a shoe.
Not only that, but she then turned the whole thing around into a LESSON that Miranda had to learn. It was horsecrap.
Heh, and I hear you. Carrie has made me want to throw many a shoe over the years.
Okay, so I saw the movie today and felt not so fulfilled when I left the theater and after reading your post now I know why!!! THANK YOU!
I’m not a girly girl. I would rather buy photography gear than shoes any day. But SATC was fun for me. I didn’t like the move so much, then again, I don’t think anybody really did. It was just nice to go back there again. I miss the show.
And yes, that part where Charlotte yelled at big is the best thing about the entire movie.
I meant I didn’t like the movie, not the move. I don’t know what it is about your comments section that always has me skipping letters. Hehe.
I agree with a lot of what you said. I’m a fan too! And I enjoyed it while I watched, I laughed in all the right places and it was so nice to see them all again anew. But. Then I left the cinema and actually thought about what had gone on, and it didn’t feel as good anymore. The Steve thing – so true. Samantha’s character annoyed me most of all. She got ‘fat’ and got a dog. That’s not really all that interesting, and it’s not really in keeping with the Samantha we have come to know. Oh, and the one character that had sex, doesn’t have any, she watches someone else. Did they all have it in their contracts to not do sex anymore (well, except Miranda, obv).
Jennifer Hudson was terrible. Her acting…oh my god, I cringed whenever she said a line.
I did love the bit with Charlotte and Big though.
I just saw it last night and I’ve been avoiding all posts about it! I’m so glad you wrote this just in time for me to read and comment! I loved the clothes, a lot of the music and a few of the quotable lines.
Some days I feel like Carrie ending up with Big leaves girls feeling like they need to hold on to the one trying to get away in hope that it will all work out. There are things that are deal breakers. Leaving me on our wedding day…deal breaker.
Charlotte was for sure my favorite. There were so many things that I loved about her. And when she yelled at Big…I could only pray that I have friends like that.
See…I thought Carrie getting upset at Miranda was completely appropriate. Yeah, Big could have said something sooner. Yeah, Big could have manned it up. But. When it comes to the men we love and our friends, even though we know we shouldn’t, we’ll always get angry at our friends sooner than we’ll get angry at the men.
It was still a shit reason for Big to do what he did. But really…I just enjoyed it. It felt like sitting with familiar friends, who might do stupid things and act irrationally, but you know them and love them anyway. Regardless of the plot, I think it was the familiarity and comfort that made me happy.
What Liz Said- Agreed.
girlinterrupted1218- Your welcome!
The Lisa Show- Dude. I’m shocked that so many people are agreeing with me. Everyone I talked to who saw it before I saw it, LOVED it. I feel so much less scared now. As for the show, I miss it too. Why can’t it come back?
Sara Jane- I know what you mean about Carrie. I just wish the wedding would have ended up more on her terms, or at least a ’shared view’ of what they wanted rather than it being EXACTLY what Big wanted. As for Charlotte yelling, I actually turned to one of my friends during the movie after that and said “I’d yell like that for you”. I know (and hope!) I won’t ever have to, but sometimes it’s nice to be told.
distracted spunk- I totally get what you are saying and think you make a good point. I think it’s more realistic that Carrie would get mad at Miranda- I just think the doing so is still ridiculous.
teabelly- You went to spam! I know what you mean about feeling different about it after you really think about the show. I definitely feel like I need to watch it again, and turn off the critic and see what happens. And you are so right- Samantha went to having sex ALL THE TIME to gaining weight, getting a dog and watching other people have sex. Boooring.
I definitely agree that some parts were less than stellar – like how Carrie was so quick to forgive Big at the end. I mean really, I thought it would take a little more than a huge closet to make up for him leaving her at the altar on their wedding day. It definitely left me yearning for something more, more storylines, more “coloring”, more everything. All in all I thought it was pretty great, but really nothing can ever really compare to those 6 seasons.
Okay, I agree. But I did like-like the flick. Maybe because I missed the show so much I was willing to overlook the obvious foibles. The only that that TRULY got my goat was her apologizing for contributing to his actions. Huh? What? Really – we’ve come far enough to own our own shit, people. And that was all his, not hers (double snap in the air).
I’m just very ‘meh’ about it. I don’t have very many girlfriends here so I watched it online and it was a bad bootleg. So meh.
I think I went into the movie thinking no matter what I’m going to like it!
I like everything though, I would be the WORST movie critic!
Brandy, I did love this blog. You brought up many points that I don’t know why I didn’t think of.
Oh do i agree with you so much. I was really unaffected by the film. I adore the TV show and like you I have my favorites and my own copies (all with plastic covers falling off). The film just didn’t do it for me. I like how the show boasts that friends can help you out with everything and it seems like the girls were more disconnected in this film. Louise became Carrie’s go to, which was annoying. The guys, Steve, Harry, and Smith, were barely in it and I agree, I don’t like who Smith turned into. I don’t like that Steve cheated (out of nowhere!) I don’t like how the girls weren’t at the wedding. ANd i don’t like how no one was at Charlotte’s daughter’s birth. All six seasons led up to her having a child and that’s all they gave us? So yeah, i was disenchanted and agree with you wholeheartedly. Great review.
Maybe the writers will learn from this one and make the sequel even better.
Was it just me, or was it also annoying that they made Miranda’s character so flat? At the end of the series, we saw her arc into a caring, family-oriented person. She had come so far. Would she really go back to being the cold workaholic who can’t be without her laptop? I don’t think so… And after 5 years, I would think Smith would’ve been more upset when Samantha left. It also bugged me that we go no details on Steve’s affair. The show would’ve never let all these things slip through the cracks.
what a great review of the movie per say. i was not a huge fan of the show and don’t own any of the episodes so i can see how the true fans can be harsher, but i had some of the same hesitations and feelings with the whole big/carrie thing. glad to know it wasn’t just me.
but i did love the movie as a whole, definitely made me laugh. and charlotte, i heart her.
I completely agree with you on every single thing you said I was thinking the same thing. AND ACTUALLY i was pretty pissed that carrie was willing to put up with Bigs shitty ASSHOLE behavior and that men are allowed ot act like such douchebags, even carrie a smart, amazing, sexy woman had to put up with bull. arg.
Okay, so I haven’t seen the movie yet and skipped over the spoilers in this post. I’m scheduled to see it next weekend and I have to say that I’m kind of prepared for disappointment. I don’t know why, because I’ve read mostly positive reviews, but I just have this…feeling.
“Let me preface this with saying this entire post is about Sex and the City.”
Thanks for the heads up, see you tomorrow
Semichrmd- It’s official. They have to make a sequel.
Paige Jennifer- I love the double snap. Your point about Big and Carrie was my biggest pet peeve too. Actually, before I started writing the post, it was my ONLY pet peeve. And then the more I thought about it, I realized what else I wasn’t liking.
littlespoon- Watching it at home? Definitely would have beat my time fighting elderly women for seats that were mine.
Amber- I would totally be a horrible movie critic too- mostly because this post makes it sound like I really didn’t like the movie and I did. I promise. I’m thinking I might go see it again this weekend. It’s definitely hard though, when you want it to be so much more than what it is.
Lauren- I KNOW! I thought that too. I mean, when Miranda gave birth, Carrie RAN there. When Charlotte gave birth, Carrie came a few hours later (remember Big waited for over an hour at the hospital for her). I didn’t get that at all. The idea that Louise was the one who ‘brought Carrie back to life” sort of bothered me too. I mean, there’s Samantha spoon feeding her and she gives the credit to someone else? Meh. I know it’s a small detail but I didn’t like it.
Mel- Good point! My friend brought up how disappointed she was that Miranda spent the entire movie ANGRY. Don’t get me wrong, I do believe Miranda had reason to be angry, but what a waste of a great actress to have her so mad the entire show. And you are right- it didn’t really give her any room to grow or move…
katelin- It totally wasn’t just you. And the thing is- I was down with Big and Carrie being together at the end of the show. I never felt they were a ‘warm’ couple, but I was happy for them, but now? Meh.
Chelsea Talks Smack- Yep, we are DEFINITELY on the same page.
Carrie- Oh no, I hope you still enjoy it. I promise, it’s worth the ticket.
imfb- You are welcome!
I didn’t believe for one second that Steve would ever cheat on Miranda. It’s just not in his character to do something like that. And I couldn’t stand that moment when Carrie says good bye to Louise at her door and gets all teary. It felt forced and like all the character development that I’m going to *assume* was there was badly edited out.
But there was much to redeem it. Seeing the shocking pain of what Carrie went through was one of the most poignant and tear-sucking moments of acting I think I may have ever seen. And then there was Charlotte who was perhaps written the best throughout the whole movie. Her reaction to Carrie’s engagement, her maternal instincts when Big jilts her, and how she manages her concerns during her pregnancy. I was always a Carrie fan, but in the movie the writers seemed to best know Charlotte and I ended up liking her far and away more than any of the other characters. Carrie did manage to poke fun at the fact that she put a freaking bird on her head though.
I agree with so many of these points.
JHudson made me want to die a little inside. Seriously.
I loved Charlotte being all fierce and protective. I wish they would have given her more of a story than just being pregnant. I wish it wasn’t so Carrie-centric. Everyone else was so minor, I really wish they would have cut out a lot of the unnecessary stuff (like ALL of St. Louise!) and went deeper with the other characters.
Did you see the post I made with all the stuff that was cut out?
I didn’t even have to finish the rest of the post, because the whole “I didn’t LOVE SATC” just got me…because I AGREE WITH YOU OH SO MUCH. I went with one of my best friends, and we pretty much agreed it was the most depressing movie we’d seen since Schindler’s List. My friend’s reaction at the end, “So, they’re all miserable?!”
What’s the deal with the $9,000 handbags? I hear Bitch Spice has 100 of those puppies. She’s such a humanitarian.
I just saw this last night and while I walked out of there thinking it was “sweet and cute,” I wasn’t really impressed for ALL of the reasons you just put up here. Well done Brandy, we are on the right wavelength here!!!
I came out of that movie wanting a drink.
I agree with those who say Jennifer Hudson’s character was unnecessary and/or badly written-slash-acted. I heard in some interview or other that Michael Patrick king was anxious to have a “woman of color” in the film because they were rarely sighted in the series. Interesting. Do you suppose that’s why they wrote Louise is such a cliched, “girl-oh-no-you-DI-INT!” kind of way?
Hey there, I just stumbled across your blog and LOVED this post… I just saw the movie on Monday, and was pretty ‘meh’ about a lot of it. Your post actually made me get Season 4 out last night and start re-watching yet again. And incidentally, I got the disc out of the CD case that I keep my series in because those shitty plastic cases you mentioned are loooong gone.
Thanks for a great review!
I just came back to read through the comments on this post (there were a lot!) and had a thought about the Carrie/Big thing. I get so angry about that relationship because even though it might end pretty when the credits roll, it would obviously never last for all the reasons people have mentioned above. But then I think about it and doesn’t that happen in REAL LIFE, too? We all know awesome, gorgeous, intelligent women who have chosen to stay with assholes who don’t deserve them. I guess I just wish SATC would leave room for the interpretation that Carrie is making a mistake, rather than tying everything up in a little bow and acting like this is a Cinderella story.
My only comment is that, in all fairness, Big had no way of knowing where Carrie was living. She sold her apartment, and it was surprising to me that she was able to buy it back, so I doubt Big would have imagined that. No phone, no idea of where she lived, his only ticket left was to email. And that he did.
Ok, that’s all.