Last night I gave in to my most self-destructive instincts and went to see Sex and the City 2, knowing full well that I would come out feeling poor, fat and completely lacking in style. It’s a bit like drinking – you know you’ll feel bad about yourself the next day, but it’s fun at the time.
I’ve read some pretty shocking reviews, and it has been criticised heavily for the product placement bonanza, so as I pulled up at the cinema in my TVR Tuscan I was feeling a little anxious, hoping that I wasn’t wasting my one child free night out per fortnight. I stepped out of the car, smoothed down my Chanel shift dress and checked the time on my Rolex, gazing admiringly as the last of the day’s sun sparkled across its jewel encrusted face. I was just on time.
The theme of the film is acceptance – accepting who you are, where you are in your life, and how things change. We are shown not to try to recapture the past (i.e. not kiss ex-boyfriends), not to feel we’re on the scrap heap after 50 (i.e. shag men on the bonnet of your car on a beach) and ultimately the value of female friendship (i.e. it doesn’t matter how bitchy you are to each other, how many hurtful things you say, so long as you can laugh over your cocktails at the end of the day).
Now I’m a big fan of Sex and the City normally, so despite all the poor reviews I read on my MacBook Pro I thought I would enjoy the second film. When the lights went on though, revealing my gorgeous peep toe Manolo Blahniks, I was left feeling rather bemused. I wasn’t really quite sure what had just happened to me. It wasn’t bad, it just didn’t feel like watching a film. It was all rather odd.
There were enjoyable parts – particularly a touching moment where Charlotte and Miranda confess tearfully just how hard they find parenting, an attempt no doubt to reconnect with the millions of once single twenty something fans who are now watching the film on a much-needed night out away from the families. But it’s hard to feel empathy with two mothers who have full-time help to look after their children, especially when one of them doesn’t even seem to work. Touching yes, but it didn’t have me reaching into my Fendi for the tissues.
I left the cinema, switching back on my iPhone to check for messages, feeling a little bit like I’d just been abused without realising it. Part of me felt uncomfortable, like I wanted to go home for a wash, but I couldn’t put my finger on why. I had been expecting superficial, unbelievable, glitzy nonsense – I’d have been happy with that – but what I got was a weird two-hour long infomercial courtesy of HP and the Abu Dhabi tourist office. Not unpleasant, just a bit wrong.
Please note: this is not a sponsored post. If any companies mentioned would like to consider retrospective sponsorship, please contact me.
Good review. I went to see it yesterday and was quite disappointed. It was also far too long. Such a shame.
It WAS long wasn’t it? I was a the 20.50 showing, so was getting pretty twitchy and tired by the end.
Great review! I was disappointed by the first one. I was still thinking of going to see the second one, but probably won’t now! Actually, I’m not a big fan of the series – I find it all a bit prudish and petty. It’s not so much about sex as it is about bagging a rich husband. The book was very clear about that, but then it was supposed some kind of dry social commentary, wasn’t it? Come to think of it, I don’t think I liked the book either. So why am I even considering seeing that film? It just seems like as a woman I ought to see it, and ought to enjoy it. Dumb, isn’t it?
OK, so let me get this straight, you don’t like the book, you don’t like the TV series and you didn’t think much of the first film – why are you thinking of going again?!? I hadn’t watched a single one of the TV shows until about a year ago – I think I was put off if anything by the thought that as a woman I SHOULD watch and enjoy them, so I was pleasantly surprised to actually quite like it when I did finally watch it on the TV!
I absolutely loved the Series but was very disappointed with the first film. I cannot now bring myself to pay for a babysitter knowing that it’ll be a waste of money because I won’t enjoy the film!!! Will wait until it comes out on DVD I think!
Wait for the DVD, I think that’s best…
I totally agree with this review – the film just didn’t have the script, the ideas or the energy the series used to… made the 40’s look terrifyingly stale despite the glamour and glitz…Scary! Hope you’ve recovered from it now! xxx The Poodle
You are totally right – THAT’S the uncomfortable feeling I couldn’t put my finger on – the fact that they all seemed so miserable and worn out. I normally watch them on TV and envy their lives, but this time I just didn’t. I watched Carrie with Big at home in their nicely furnished apartment, with their TV, desperate for stuff to HAPPEN, and I didn’t envy it one bit.
Well done I haven’t seen the film but that was very funny!
Thanks! A nice bit of subtle humour I thought :-)
Hi Jo
Loved your perfectly placed product endorsements. The end coment about contacting you for some retrospective sponsorship made me really smile.
On the subject of product placement, I walk past DePaul U every day to the office and they had a GIANT poster of their new B-Ball coach holding a ball that prominently displayed the Nike logo. Is there nowhere in this country where a school/business/sports team can advertise without plugging a brand? I never watched the series or read the book but I have heard all the stories of Blahniks and Fendi et al in their show. Great real review of yet another 2 hour plus commercial.
~Dan
I think we struggle with films like this in the UK, because actually we don’t have a lot of product placement normally, so it really sticks out. When we get American Pop Idol over here we get the Coca Cola cups on the judges’ desk blurred out!
It’s something I’ve never watched. Have never been into glitzy dramas (apart the L Word, that was good). Thanks for your review, makes me feel better knowing that I wouldn’t enjoy it!!
CJ xx
You can not watch it, safe in the knowledge you are not missing anything!
I knew instinctively without even consulting my BlackBerry that I wouldn’t like this film so thank you for saving me the trip in my brand new Lexus convertible with sun roof as well and I have saved money on Spanx hosiery too. Bless you.
Ah yes, the Spanx! lol
Fantastic review – thank you! I haven’t seen it either – expect I will eventually on DVD or whatnot, but can’t see me booking a babysitter for the privilege!
Definitely wait for DVD. It will be fine to have on while you’re half doing something else. You can look up from time to time and try and guess if it’s the film or a commerical break…
Best review I’ve read – I laughed my Christian Laboutins off
Good on ya – funny! Only caught the ‘girls’ on The View by chance … no longer watch that either since all the political cat fights stopped! Wasn’t impressed with them on the couch in real life as it were. There was a weird underlying tension of some kind. Thanx! Great to hear from the same kind of perspective I think I had! Won’t be wasting my movie night either! xok
Moive night is precious – use it wisely :-)
Thank you! :-)
I haven’t bothered to go and see it – your review gave me a laugh though.
There’s an award for you over at mine if you’re interested, and it comes complete with a mini interview…
Ooh thank you – I love a good quiz! I have been away all week, not ignoring your lovely award. I will have a look today and get my thinking cap on. x x x
Hilarious review. Personally, I loved the TV series and I think they should have left it there. The first film was pretty dire (I think they all just look too old) and I haven’t bothered with the second. I’m waiting for the DVD. Or, better still, for it to be on Sky. Reckon I won’t have to wait long.
I totally agree – they should have left it with TV. The TV series were great, now they’ve kinda ruined it for me :-(