The Sex and the City - a film review

Although the film was not as tightly wound as the original TV series, it touched on more than just sex in the city.  Dealing with the many facets of love, the film exposed human emotions in a rather raw manner, showing that love is only peachy when you are Charlotte.

Charlotte is presented as the emblem of happiness throughout the film. In fact, she is so happy, she gets scared that something bad will happen to her because she witnesses too many bad things happening to her girlfriends. While starting on an upbeat note, the film dives deep into the mire of sadness and misery which Carrie, Samantha and Miranda have to face in a way that is entirely their own. Each of them deals with a set of trials and tribulations that is unique to her character and handles it in her own distinctive manner.

One of the themes explored by the film is a way in which women react to unexpected and unforeseen events. Deep shock is the common denominator, which leads all three to getting angry, hurt, and scared. They act out fast, without thinking straight, only to feel numb and dumb later.

The film also deals with selfishness and pride, which make the characters’ relationships fall apart in a most heart-wrenching way. Each woman has many redeeming qualities that outweigh her self-gratification scheme, yet each makes the man in her life suffer because of it. The catalyst to the happy ending is love, mingled with the ability to apologize and forgive. In the end, redemption rules the day and misery turns sweet (albeit in a slightly bitter way).

Despite the sad notes, this film was an enjoyable experience for an old fan like me. The intimate secrets of female bonding, fabulous fashion and grown-up sexuality are all there to make it fresh and entertaining.

I have chosen the following character quotes to sum it all up:

Samantha Jones: The good ones screw you, the bad ones screw you, and the rest don't know how to screw you.

Charlotte York: Because! Nobody gets everything they want!

Miranda Hobbes: The only two choices for women: witch and sexy kitten.

Carrie Bradshaw: It wasn't logic, it was love.

As always, I agree with Carrie - when it comes to love, logic and reason fail. And when it comes to reason and logic, love may not be enough. I would never marry anyone whom I loved madly because madly is psychotic and "in love" is temporary.