Review of Sex and the City (2008) by Jeff B — 16 Aug 2010

Sex and the City is a movie that points up the strong suits of the TV program on which it was based while failing to conform to the big screen. Now, hold on, ladies. Before you take up your Chanel pitchforks and Burberry torches, please understand the following: The movie proved more enjoyable than this reviewer ever thought humanly possible. And this assessment comes after not having seen one solitary episode of the HBO series. Boasting more endings than Lord of the Rings and a storyline just begging to be cut, however, Sex could have used some cosmetic surgery.

In the R-rated continuing adventures of Carrie (Parker), Samantha (Catrall), Charlotte (Kristen Davis), and Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), the girls contend with called-off nuptials, cheating husbands, and pregnancy.

During the screening, this reviewer felt no need to call upon the services of his companion, a faithful SITC-phile. The characters were so well drawn by writer/director Michael Patrick King and so well played by the top-shelf cast that the first act clicked together perfectly. In looking to make a connection with the 20-somethings, however, King felt the need to give 40-something Carrie a younger assistant (Jennifer Hudson) in the looooong second act. And though Hudson does a fine job with the material, this character ultimately adds little to the lives of our cosmo-swilling foursome?but does consume over 20 minutes of running time. And this critique is not a testosterone issue. If a Sopranos or Deadwood movie (this reviewer?s favorite HBO programs) failed to trim such fat, he would likewise cry ?foul.?

Bottom line: Not quite great Sex.