The film version of the mega-popular TV series finally premieres in Kyiv
Contrary to popular belief, “Sex and the City” is not a show only women are likely to enjoy. The popular HBO series contains wit, warmth, intelligence and superb characters – all elements any true film or TV lover should embrace, regardless of gender. Even now, four years after the show stopped airing, the hit stands out as one of HBO’s best achievements and one of the most accomplished television comedies of all time. Many women have patiently waited for the film to be released to see Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte talk about sex, men and fashion.
“Sex and the City” was written and directed by executive producer and writer Michael Patrick King, who initially created the series based on semi-autobiographical columns written by Candace Bushnell for the New York Observer.
As in the TV series, fashion plays a significant role in the movie. Over 300 outfits were used over the course of the entire film. Patricia Field, who was the costume designer for the series, also worked in the film. Carrie’s Eiffel Tower bag, carried in the opening scene is by Timmy Woods and costs $3,000. And Carrie’s custom couture Vivienne Westwood wedding gown would retail for $22,760. Jewelry brand H Stern loaned more than 300 pieces of jewelry for the film.
The series famously ended with all four of the female characters obtaining a hard-earned happy ending, and that’s exactly how we meet them again four years later. Sex-columnist Carrie Bradshaw is still happily involved with Mr. Big (Chris Noth); lawyer Miranda Hobbes (Cynthia Nixon) is still married to Steve (David Eigenberg) and struggles to balance work and motherhood. Kristin Davis plays Park Avenue Princess Charlotte York, well matched with Harry (Evan Handler) who have adopted a Chinese girl named Lily. And former man-eater Samantha Jones (Kim Cattrall), the sex-aholic publicist, enjoys life in L.A., playing loyal and doting girlfriend to her young client/lover TV-star “Smith” Jerrod (Jason Lewis), despite having her eye on a guy living next door; though she can’t resist the temptation to fly back to New York to catch up with the rest of her friends whenever she can.
Of course, something has to go wrong and it does. Carrie and Big plan a gorgeous wedding, complete with a Vogue photo shoot. But he bails at the last minute, stranding her at the altar, leaving Carrie heartbroken and her friends with no choice but to wonder whether their happiness will last forever. Carrie hires an intuitive assistant Louise (Jennifer Hudson) to help her sort through her life. Predictably, this leads to more problems, as Miranda dumps Steve because he cheated on her and Samantha, pushing 50 and missing her old life, starts pining for her next-door neighbor. Charlotte is the only one who never comes close to losing anything. The film further explores their lives but, with more costume changes, Louis Vuitton bags and Manolo Blahnik shoes.
The New York Times found the film “a vulgar, shrill, deeply shallow,” while The Daily Telegraph said “(the ladies) have become frozen, Spice Girls-style types – angsty, neurotic, predatory, princess – rather than individuals who might evolve or surprise us.”
Still, those who loved the TV-series will hardly care about negative reviews. Instead they will be thrilled to see the film version, where the women once again plunge into the glamorous life of New York.
Butterfly Ultramarine (1A Uritskoho 206-0350, www.kino-butterfly.com.ua). From June 19.
In English with Subtitles
