MPAA Rating: R for strong sexual content, graphic nudity and language.
Runtime: 148 mins.
Director: Michael Patrick King
Writer: Michael Patrick King
Cast: Sarah Jessica Parker; Kim Cattrall; Kristin Davis; Cynthia Nixon ... complete cast
Tagline: Get Carried Away.
Genre: Comedy | Drama
Memorable Quote: "Charlotte Poughkeepsied in her pants. " ... more quotes
Release Date: May 30, 2008
Available on DVD: September 23, 2008
Available For Download: September 23, 2008
Available On Demand: October 7, 2008
I found myself discussing Michael Patrick King's Sex and the City with one of my friends this afternoon who didn't want to get sucked into another "lame chick flick" just because his wife wanted to see it. He was tired of the edited reruns on cable, tired of the pithy moments the characters seemed to be perpetually stuck in, and so on. I smiled, looked him right in the eye and flat out told him the truth; "I saw it in the theatre, buddy, and I am pretty sure I was one of two men in that packed audience and I still had a good time." He blinked once, swallowed hard and then asked me what I really thought of it. And so I told him.
The film works. I mean, there was a part of me that fully expected to be disappointed by the film, but I wasn't. Sex and the City plays on its comedic strengths and yet offers nothing really new (other than the character of Louise played by Jennifer Hudson), but it still works. It's fun, feisty and somehow has a fresh feel to it, too. Maybe that's because I'm also tired of the edited reruns.
The story falters only a bit at the beginning, but gathers strength and really delivers in the final half of the film. It also doesn't alienate its fan base with that misstep. Simply put, the movie makes the transition from the small screen to the big screen with only a few minor hiccups. While the scenario of Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) being left by Mr. Big (Chris Noth) at the alter seems a little implausible; it plays well on the screen, but that's the only real fault with the plotlines in the movie. Let's face it, the strength of the movie (and the show) is the supporting cast which, due to the length of the film, the use of the word 'supporting' will be used as loosely as possible (keep in mind, every character has her own story arc). Okay, so Carrie's wedding to Mr. Big falls through, but the rest of the girl gang's stories are firmly grounded in reality: Charlotte (Kristin Davis) and her difficulties with pregnancy, Samantha (Kim Cattrall) wrestles with love and commitment, and Miranda's (Cynthia Nixon) relationship with Steve (David Eigenberg) once infidelity enters the picture. While the show probably ran for two seasons too long, the actors are confident in their roles (maybe due to the additional two years) and they deliver some really fine performances; specifically Cattrall who reveals a somewhat new side to her oversexed and sometimes one-dimensional character.Rest assured, the film is funny and not in a shy or humble manner; it aims for the gut and sometimes hits just below the belt, yet you still laugh. Yes, men should be warned, but also know that the faults of the ladies are also revealed, embraced, laughed at, and so on. It's outrageous and explicit; it's always been that's nothing new, but the four years off the air has only sharpened some of King's wit and wisdom.
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DVD Details:
The DVD edition boasts a commentary by Michael Patrick King which offers insight into the development of the story and is probably for die-hards only. There is also a special edition of the film which offers 12 additional minutes of the movie, making the running time about 157 minutes, and a bonus disc with interviews and deleted scenes and a digital copy of the film.
Screen Formats: 1.85:1
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, English
Language and Sound: English: English: Dolby Digital 5.1; English: Dolby True HD
Other Features: Color; interactive menus; scene access; director's commentary..
* Commentary
o Feature-length commentary track with Director Michael Patrick King
Number of Discs: 1 with Keepcase Packaging
