While this big-screen continuation of the popular HBO series racked up impressive grosses at the box office, it left more than a few critics and moviegoers wondering if anybody really needed a feature-film coda to a show that had already neatly tied up all its loose ends. The Sex and the City movie finds the fab four slightly older but not necessarily wiser. Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), now in the 10th year of her on-again-off-again relationship with Mr. Big (Chris Noth), is delighted with their purchase of a penthouse they name “Heaven on Fifth Avenue.” Samantha (Kim Cattrall) has moved to Los Angeles, where her lover Smith (Jason Lewis) is a daytime TV star. Charlotte (Kristin Davis) and her husband Harry (Evan Handler) have adopted a Chinese daughter. Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), facing a crisis with hubby Steve (David Eigenberg), is the most emotionally raw of the gal pals. A hastily planned group vacation at a luxurious Mexican resort kicks the film into gear, producing some trademark frank but tasteless gags (including references to overgrown pubic hair and excretory accidents), as well as heartstring-tugging complications and considerable (but hardly surprising) drama connected with Carrie's marriage to Big. The TV show's famous fascination with fashion is also evident here, and writer-director Michael Patrick King introduces a warm new character in Carrie's twentysomething assistant Louise (Jennifer Hudson), who believes in True Love and is not yet a jaded careerist. Diehard Sex junkies will want to see this passably entertaining effort, making it a strong optional purchase. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by director Michael Patrick King, “A Conversation with Sarah Jessica Parker and Michael Patrick King” (24 min.), “The Fabulous Fashion” featurette (18 min.), four minutes of additional scenes with optional commentary by King, a “Fergie in the Studio” making-of segment on the soundtrack song “Labels or Love” (2 min.), and a bonus digital copy of the film. Exclusive to the Blu-ray version is a “Dish It!” popup trivia track and an interactive map of the city. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a decent if unspectacular big screen adaptation.] (E. Hulse)
Sex and the City
New Line, 148 min., R, DVD: $28.99, Blu-ray: $35.99, Sept. 23 Volume 23, Issue 5
Sex and the City
Star Ratings
As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
Order From Your Favorite Distributor Today: