If you know me, you already know I'm a fan of this movie, pre-screening, even.... also a huge fan of the series and the original film. I'm usually not a fan of sequels, but have looked forward to this for quite some time. For, 2 reasons: What have my girls been up to and how will Michael Patrick King expand the genius of this franchise any further?
A film like this is so much more than the film itself. My greatest joy of the night was witnessing how it brought together groups of friends and people from different backgrounds for a single important, yet superfluous event.
As I do with most things that I attend and write about, I'll briefly discuss what I was wearing since 90% of this film is about fashion anyway. I kept it simple. Ragged jeans with a Hugo Boss tee, and an old ratty cardigan. I livened my ensemble up a bit with my accessories: Diesel shoes and belt, and LV men's clutch, and last but not least a Rolex that really kinda resembled the gift that Carrie gives to Big for their anniversary. That was in no way planned. Seriously, it wasn't!
The movie opens with a predictable, albeit fashionable stroll through the city to Bergdorf Goodman to purchase gifts for the wedding of Stanford and Anthony! What was not predictable was that Michael Patrick King gave us flashbacks of all the women, pre-series even. We got to view glimpses of the ladies before they became such upper eschelon sophisticates. I makes you appreciate the exuberance of these women's lives when you realize that at one time they all might have paid their dues also.
We quickly learn with sadness, nay a little pity that Carrie's married life has become sublimely hum-drum. As exquisitely appointed as their apartment is, who'd want to sit home on the sofa when there are Louboutins and Dior ensembles screaming to be out on the town? Miranda is unhappy with work primarily because of her chauvinistic boss. Charlotte has everything she has prayed for over the years, and it's driving her mad. And... causes the ruin of a vintage Valentino skirt. (Sidebar, whispering: for all the naysayers... this is why we love these women. Who else would bake with their daughters in vintage Valentino...? Seriously?) And, we also realize that nothing, yay, nothing has changed about Samantha.
As we settle into the teleplay, we have the wedding of Carrie's gay to Charlotte's gay! A fantastical spectacular for the eyes and ears. I struggle here to not reveal anything but save to say that Liza Minelli's performance of the biggest pop song of 2009 was nothing short of a cinematic feast. Moving on...
Through a connection that Miranda makes via Smith (Jason Lewis), the ladies find themselves whisked away to Abu Dhabi... or, the new Middle East. The cinematography during this part of the film is just beautiful. Amazing. Almost in an unbelievable way. I'm not sure if MPK felt this part had to be in the film because of the flawed, jumbled Mexican excursion in the first film or not. If so, I hope he abandons this formula if there is a third film. NYC is plenty enough.
When the girls return to their lives and their movement through their days, we find that the time away has given them a clarity about things. Miranda puts family first. Carrie, after the debacle of kissing Aiden, appreciates the simplicity and blessing of being married to the man she loves. Charlotte takes time for herself and her fears about the nanny are abated. Samantha... remains the same! Yes!!
What I appreciate about this film so much more than the first SATC is that the film is about the girls more so than their relationships. I also loved the theme that is explored, surrounding people and partners creating their own rules and not accepting the supposed societal norms and conventions. Isn't this why we all have a maddening love affair with Carrie anyway? She's not like anyone else!! And, Patricia Field does and expected amazing job of showcasing that through the insane outfitting.
The wardrobing and costuming is top notch which is what all us fans live for. Big budgets give way to expert direction and photography and create amazing teleplay. There were times, though where I felt like the punchlines weren't reached and the acting was a little stretched and terse, but who cares. This film was a visual, aesthetic feast. I believe this is what we all expected and paid for.
So, I highly recommend this film to anyone, especially if you're a fellow fan. If not, go out and get the first film, heck get the whole series. Smiles! And, with Louboutins lifted and cosmos to the sky, I sign off... looking toward SATC3!!
