Chemistry still sizzles in ‘Sex and the City' film
Chemistry still sizzles in 'Sex and the City' film

By Gene Triplett

Published: May 30, 2008

Park Avenue becomes a fashion runway once again as the "Sex and the City” gal pals put their Manolos in motion in the colorful, playfully naughty and sometimes too cute big-screen sequel to HBO's hit romantic comedy series.

It's been four years since we last followed the Manhattan misadventures of these smart, independent, fashion-fanatic women, and all of them have gone through some changes while remaining fast friends. Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) has moved up from autobiographical columnist observing sexual politics in the New York social set to best-selling author, and she's settled into a seemingly stable, exclusive relationship with the love of her life, the once-elusive "Mr. Big” (Chris Noth). Now they're looking for the perfect apartment to share, and there's even serious talk of marriage between the two. But is Big really willing to risk becoming a bridegroom again, given his poor marital track record?

Meanwhile, an increasingly angry Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) now is living in not-so-stylish Brooklyn. She is spread so thin between marriage, motherhood and career that domestic disaster is beginning to brew with sweet-natured spouse Steve (David Eigenberg).

Contrastingly, sweet and preppy Charolotte (Kristin Davis) is living a blue heaven existence on the posh Upper East Side with loving hubby Harry (Evan Handler) and their adopted little girl from China.

Even bold sexual huntress Samantha (Kim Cattrall) has committed to an exclusive relationship and is living with her hunky client/boyfriend, actor Smith Jerrod (Jason Lewis), in California, where she's feeling a little trapped.

Discontented or not, all three welcome the excuse to reunite around Carrie when she announces her impending marriage to Mr. Big, opening the way for a fashion-shopping frenzy and a lot of frank girl talk over cold pink Cosmopolitans, just like the old days.

Series executive producer and chief writer Michael Patrick King directs from his own screenplay, dish-ing up all the elements he knows "SATC” fans have come to crave, from classy clothes to soapy romantic entanglements, peppered with plenty of comedy, some tear-jerking drama and a healthy dose of steamy sex. It's all designed with the female in mind and should please its intended audience no end, as long as no one minds that these characters veer between substance and superficiality in depicting the feminine condition.

The chemistry in this ensemble is still bubbling, with standout turns from Parker and Nixon, and Cattrall radiating hotter than ever at a fiery 51. Jennifer Hudson ("Dreamgirls”) adds some much-needed ethnic diversity to the mix, and Noth contributes a sturdy masculine presence, as always.

But the most appealing aspect of this sexually liberated, high-fashion free-for-all franchise has always been — and still remains — its heartwarming look at the true-blue nature of female friendship. Everyone can take a lesson from that, no matter what their gender.

— Gene Triplett

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