Honestly, I was not a big fan of Sex and the City in the early seasons. I found the group way too gross. But I jumped on the bandwagon for the last season and as they mellowed, I began to look forward to Sunday nights especially when Mikhail Baryshnikov shared the screen with Carrie as one of her love interests. Tuvia often sat with me, quietly enjoying “Samantha” and as the show came down to its final episodes I was down right sad
As the HBO version ended and went into syndication,the wondering began: Would there be a movie version to pick up where the final episode left us? Of course, the project began and we waited. I waited patiently. And last night Tuvia( not feeling great) shelped with me to an early 6:30 performance because everything later was sold out.
As we arrived comfortably early as usual, we were directed to a line cordoned off on the side of a 300 seat theater and we were in a good position to get our favorite seats. We were surrounded by women, arriving in groups, 4’s and more. There were a few couples like us but not many. Tuvia didn’t care. He was studying the crowd.
As we were finally herded into the theater, an usher checked our tickets because the performance was officially sold out and maybe we were desperate to crash.
The place filled quickly, excited women prepared to enjoy the screen and the overflowing bags of popcorn and candy- a truly joyous and long awaited event. I wondered how many times Tuvia would be checking his watch.
As usual, lots of previews first and the movie would still clock in over 2 hours. I was feeling the excitement.
The four friends were back: Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte and now in their 40’s the women were seasoned. Men friends, husbands, all the regulars were back and the 5th lady, New York City was back as well, in all her glory. Made you want to be in there with them. I wondered as I went deeper and deeper into the bowels of the film how many, in this crowd were right there making the journey with me.
I loved the focus on friendship but as Carrie prepared for her over-the-top monster of a wedding, I wondered, does she have any family: parents, siblings??? Just a thought.
I glanced over at Tuvia often. He laughed with Samantha and rarely glanced at his watch. I’m sure he was enjoying it more than he thought he would.
It was well done from the script, to the sets, to the music, to the four very clearly drawn women and their modern struggles.
And then the screen went black and we were asked to vacate the theater, the fire alarms went off.
30 minutes to go. A theater filled with women loving the experience and an abrupt break. UGH!
We left reluctantly and while many people seemed to linger just outside the main entrance, we took the directions seriously and left for the evening, unsatisfied and without conversation.
We sat through dinner at the diner planning our return the next day, wondering what happened.
So this morning, after a conversation with the manager on the phone, we returned and sat through most of it again, at 10 AM. The theater was almost filled, again with a large majority of women.
And I loved it a second time. I usually do. Tuvia laughed even more this time. The whole audience participated as well: laughing, applauding, sighing, crying( me for sure), actively engaged.
I recommend it if you hadn’t guessed and it’s too bad there aren’t more men joining their women for it. The experience should be shared but given the tone of some of the star reviewers, I can understand why many men might shy away. They focus on the chick clothes, the bags, the shoes, but there’s more than meets the eye for those who look. The women, especially Miranda and Carrie are dealing with the single woman’s need to give up some of the “I” to become a “we”. We both bought their struggle and honest efforts to really look into the mirror.
That’s what we left talking about, even though the male characters are really shadows to their women, they remain the focus of attention.
Tuvia, you are walking at the head of the line!
Men, get off the couch and join your ladies!
