Like Carrie’s Shoes
CBMUSED at 12:32 pm Category: GeneralTags: cbmused, movie review, Sex and the City
*** WARNING - THIS POST CONTAINS SEX AND THE CITY SPOILERS AND STRONG OPINIONS ***
There are days when I seriously question if I have been given the right XX chromosomes and nothing like a few hours spent at the movies to reaffirm my doubts. Admittedly, the only reason I was sitting in the theatre surrounded by numerous excited females about to watch Sex and the City was because my mother had asked me to accompany her.
And so we went, not as a group of girlfriends dressed to the nines, looking for a post movie dissertation over a few Cosmopolitans. There were no girlie discussions either. She had a fabulous time. I, on the other hand, was far too engrossed in analysis to enjoy escapism of the lavish kind.
I am not a devoted fan. I have watched the show intermittently over the years but could not relate or empathise with any of the characters. And now that these women are into their forties, I had better expectations than the mere mention of Botox, the use of reading glasses and wincing at the star actress’ skeletal frame.
When Big turned away from the church leaving disappointment and anger in his wake, I felt nothing for Carrie. At her stage in life, she behaved like a selfish young brat who became ever so self-absorbed in the Big wedding and the Big dress and the Big reception that it highlighted her Big ‘me’ complex that pushed the groom into the background.
As for the other characters, they perpetuated more fairy tales for the older girl’s fantasies. Apparently, infidelity and a break of trust can be easily restored without identifying and fixing the underlying problems. Mending a broken marriage is as easy as Miranda and Steve meeting on a bridge and never looking back.
Another fallacy come fantasy was the notion that when 40+ women who have endured the trials of infertility adopt a child and stop trying, they will magically fall pregnant without any concern for abnormalities or miscarriages. Whatever happy drugs Charlotte was taking throughout the movie lent kudos to the lack of credibility.
But the biggest girl empowerment moment of all was delivered by Samantha, who preferred buying her own expensive jewellery than receiving it as a thoughtful gift from her partner. “I love you but I love myself more” is the new black for single girls looking for an excuse to remain single.
For a hyped-up chick flick with flamboyant fashions and multiple product placements, I fell in love with the city of New York. I marvelled at the beauty of the sights throughout the seasons. Besides, it must be a fabulous place if a girl alone on New Year’s Eve can traipse around safely in high heels along the subway and snow covered footpaths.
The storyline may have reminded me of the reasons I left fairy tales behind at the age of seven but with poorly structured dialogue, little wonder my favourite line was delivered by feisty Miranda upon arrival at the Mexican resort, “Do you have wifi?”
The movie was much like the designer heels, flashy, pretty on the eyes, but oh-so-painful to walk in their 9 inch shoes. And it left me with a feeling much like Carrie’s coveted wardrobe, empty.
July 9th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
My issue with the movie is that (objectively speaking) - the characters of Carrie and Big for the duration of the series really were not good people. They embraced infidelity, they were reckless with other people’s feelings, and they constantly got together, separated, and engaged in self-destructive behaviour (as well as behaviour that was destructive to those around them). Yet with the movie - and the wedding - it justifies everything they did. “Don’t worry about all the people you hurt on your way to this end - you deserve this fairy tale romance, huge wedding, apartment sized closet, and screw all those who you hurt on the way to this result.”
I’ve shared to much haven’t I? More opinions on this than a straight man should have? I wish I had an excuse for myself. Sadly I do not.
July 9th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
I got bored of these ladies a long, long time ago. The actress who plays Miranda is vaguely interesting because she has fallen in love with another woman (allegedly a rather butch one).
July 9th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
I’m pleased to get comments from the men on this post, and I hope the photo of the shoes isn’t a deterrent!
GSR: I totally agree. Not only aren’t they good people, they’re not likeable. I admit when Big walked out on her at the wedding part of me was thinking she deserved it. As for him, money buys everything, doesn’t it?
No, I think you’re right on the ball. And whilst I don;t know many straight men who are followers, I know a few and they share the same sentiments. Even a close male friend who’s gay can’t stand them or what they represent.
Gorilla B: The show had its use by date, and the movie was their chance to milk it one last time. There are a lot of die hard fans out there. Interestingly enough, most of my friends aren’t into it. Yes, I heard about Cynthia Nixon’s partner. Different strokes…
July 9th, 2008 at 11:56 pm
“I mean, I know I made you see <i>There Will Be Blood</i> twice now, and I know I’ve drug you a lot of places you don’t want to go, but hon…”
“Don’t worry, I would never make you go to that movie with me. I think I like you better straight anyway.”
July 10th, 2008 at 2:20 am
I liked the show, but I think there is something fundamentally wrong with putting such a strong value on fashion. No, I don’t give a crap what shoes you are wearing. However, I thought the show pushed the edge of what is acceptable for woman to discuss on screen, and I felt that was a good direction. It was a bizarre counter with itself - pushing shallow values on women, yet allowing the characters to break out of typical molds. Interesting.
July 10th, 2008 at 6:26 am
There were these “Funny/Not Funny” promos for TBS–who got the network rights to broadcast the program ad nauseum–that showed a REAL NYC mugging next to the Sex and the City mugging where the guy takes her Manolo Blahnik shoes.
(I hope for his sake Manolo Blahnik is straight, because that guy probably gets more tail than any eight cowboys in a rodeo…)
That promo said it all–the show shows NYC in “fake Hollywood gritty” instead of what it is probably REALLY LIKE to live in NYC–writing a short column for 35-cents a word, and living in some unthinkable shithole.
(The “Microeconomics” on this show really don’t work, do they? $650 for shoes and your own apartment when you make $50k gross per year??)
I will probably rent this out on DVD on a “Know Your Cougar”-Theory and because it is such a cultural touchstone for 51% of the planet.
I was almost saddened when the rumors of a “Friends” movie turned out to be false.
I really wanted to see those guys be “cool” when they got their yearly digital prostate exam. And sabotaging your best friend’s relationships when you are over forty because you need a roommate? That would have been fun to watch the writers navigate…
July 10th, 2008 at 10:43 am
Casey: That’s one heck of a woman. Or are we talking straight as in Bourbon?
Jarod: In its heydey, the show was about empowering women, by making them behave like men. While it pushed boundaries, it went too far and with the emphasis on fashion and accessories, it became a little too vacuous. The whole phenomenon of women actng like men as a kind of empowerment has also had its backlash with violence and druken behaviours perpetuated by women on a night out. I think it’s sad that perceived equality comes from emulating the worst charactecteristics of the opposite gender. Same goes for business. And I’m getting sidetracked!
Zen: The microeconomics are another fairy tale. Isn’t Carrie just an overpaid blogger?
The show sounds interesting, nothing like myth busting. But then, it’s entertainment, and who wants to see muggings are murders all the time on TV? Wait… we do. And I would have been part of that 49% of the planet but I went for mum’s sake.
Friends! The show that fizzled in the finale? I’d like to see them pull the same faces at different scenarios. Nah, I wasn’tmuch into it either. Phoebe was the most interesting character. Hollywood should just let good things rest in peace.
July 10th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Cléa: you should definitely do more reviews. There’s no shortage of fodder for deserved beatings such as this one among the current crop of cinematic dross!
July 11th, 2008 at 5:41 am
Zen is the best. You’re not too shabby either Cléa. I’m sick of the whole Big/Carrie mess and glad the buzz surrounding this movie is over. Sarah Jessica Marie Antonia Figgy Parker is boring to watch as she promoted the movie. This blog is the last place I expected an SATC review, but I like your conclusion.
July 11th, 2008 at 5:56 am
This post right here is a perfect example of why I love reading your blog so much. Seriously. I have yet to see the movie but I’m sure I will eventually just so I can further justify my hatred for this franchise and everything it stands for. But I have seen a few episodes and I was just never able to get into it. As you said in a comment back to Jarod, the so-called empowerment this show gave women wasn’t any kind of empowerment I, as a liberal-minded woman, wanted. I hate it when men act that way and hate it even more when women do it. Because they should know better. And yet there they are (I know, they are fictional characters, but there are many women who idolize them and try to be like them in the real world) acting just like the men that they are trying to show up. It’s wrong on so many levels.
I know that this is a fictional show that’s just for fun and it shouldn’t be taken to heart. BUT. Unfortunately that’s not how the world works these days. While I can see the craziness in the characters and am able to differentiate right from wrong, other people are unable to see this line. They identify with the characters and try to emulate their actions in real life and then wonder why they can’t get away with the same things Carrie and pals are able to.
But that little rant is heading into an entirely different soapbox, so I shall step off for now.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:06 am
Do you think Sicilian Mama likes the show? Maybe just a little?
July 11th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Gboy: Glad you enjoyed it. I admit it felt good to write it!
Egan: I’ve heard people describe her as either a horse or a drag queen. And you can blame my mum, if I didn’t take her to see the movie, I wouldn’t have bothered to write a review, an opinionated one at that.
Sicilian: First of all, I humbly thank you. Second, we are in full agreement. Whether it is in the workforce or socially, I have no wish to act like a man, and a bad one at that. Empowerment and equality doesn’t mean we copy each others’ bad habits, get drunk and throw up and tell the world about it.
And I also agree that it sets the acceptable norms for women to act in this manner. People are very influenced by the media and popular culture. And in the movie, at forty something, they should know better.
Egan: She has very valid opinions. Sicilian and I may be the odd ones out in our gender, but I happen to know a few other girls who share the same opinions. And I think deep down, you do too.
PS I missed having you here!
July 11th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
I know a few women who happen to feel the exact same way as you. Hey, don’t make me blush.
July 12th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
egan: That doesn’t surprise me considering what I know of you.
I like making Egan blush.