From great to okay ‘Sex’

(Published June 10, Philippine Daily Inquirer-Entertainment)

By Oliver M. Pulumbarit
Contributor

A few years after the successful and satisfying conclusion of the groundbreaking HBO comedy “Sex and the City,” Carrie and her gang of independent, stylish women return for a giddy silver screen reunion. It moves the characters forward, just like the bold and beloved series did weekly. It also rewards longtime fans with new romance and relationship witticisms, even if there are some really annoying scene deletions.

The four friends have changed, but are expectedly acclimating to their new lives at points where the series practically left off. Sex columnist and author Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) is making big plans with her beau Big (Chris Noth); once-cynical lawyer Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) is busy being the wife and mother; romantic curator Charlotte (Kristin Davis) is now the perfect wife and mom; formerly promiscuous PR gal Samantha (Kim Cattrall) continues her relationship with young actor-model Smith Jerrod (Jason Lewis).

A short but lively recap of the quippy quartet’s history is woven into the opening credits, for those unfamiliar with their past TV lives. Of course, it’ll be appreciated more by those with a broader knowledge of the show. The film is fan-pleasing enough that some flaws can be overlooked; the reunion extends past the screen and onto the devotees. The big-screen jump is comfortably handled by Michael Patrick King, who previously penned and directed several “SATC” episodes years ago.

The “Sex and the City” movie engages just like the TV series, where the foursome’s characters provide different angles on a particular intimacy subject per week. Their different, thematically connected experiences still keep things busy without getting convoluted. While it feels like watching an extended arc, or the equivalent of a marathon of about seven 22-minute episodes, the movie doesn’t tackle as many subjects as its TV progenitor excellently and concisely did. Here, there are parts that feel stretched and padded, even when the story takes place within the span of several months.

Still, the storylines this time exploit some conflicts: Carrie experiences a déjà vu of her turbulent past with Big. Samantha holds back urges for other hot men, and distracts herself by getting a furry pet. Miranda’s partial domestication is suddenly challenged by her spouse’s revelation. There isn’t much going on with Charlotte, but she gets the chance to be the comic relief in some tense (and contrived) situations. The comparisons to the show’s better-written stories are unavoidable, but again, you don’t mind that much if you’re a fan. There are a few things it does differently, though.

Carrie’s given ample characterization; you see her change and come to big realizations, sometimes without her ever-dependable and truth-seeking voiceover narrations. And Mr. Big is given some depth, at last, even when that makes him less mysterious and even more prone to making bone-headed decisions.

It’s far from smooth viewing, though. The deletions of scenes are distracting; you’ll get perplexed by the jarring cuts and wonder what you just missed. The ruined buildups of several scenarios will make you wince and feel a little insulted.

“Sex and the City” tackles pretty much the same kinks and love issues as the seminal show. They don’t go the scandalous “Desperate Housewives” route, but there’s enough realistic post-dating drama that gets fleshed out here. And while there is a noticeable absence of lovemaking, “Sex and the City” still favorably discloses on female empowerment, the search for happiness, and yes, intimacy beyond the physical kind.