Finally a movie that lives up to the hype and defies expectations by taking the familiar, somehow tweaking the formula a little bit, making a very smooth and confident transition into the big screen, and giving us a hell of a great time.
The film highlights the best of the series: the amazing chemistry and bond that was at the center of the successful TV series, an enterprise that was lucky to have some sharp, funny, and somewhat insightful writing about the way modern men and women handle relationships. Whereas, we would like to think that we adhere to the rules of romance, "Sex" clearly shattered the idea that there was a happily ever after, but it really never turned its back on the concept of hopeless romance, and how we just keep on going regardless of how tough the road can be.
Carrie proved over and over that getting to the ultimate goal was never easy, as the path is peppered with insecurities and a few unexpected twists and turns. It is impossible to truly understand its logic, whether there is any, and what the gals in the story have given us is the acceptance that sometimes our emotions overrule reason, and this might not be such a bad idea, but it's something that you have to handle very carefully.
Each member of this quartet bring something to the composite of the perfect women, the delicacy and conservatism of the old fashioned Charlotte, the vibrant sensuality in Samantha, the driven and cerebral Miranda, and the complicated and perceptive about everyone else but herself, Carry. They are kindred spirits and know and understand each other very well. They offer support in times of distress, yet there are times when they can also sabotage each other's happiness, as it occurs in this film.
In the movie version, the story continues as Big (John) and Carry struggle to reach their long awaited bliss. At the beginning it appears as if is finally there, but things get complicated, and before you know it... everything looks pretty dismal for them, and life also throws a few curves to everyone else because we wouldn't have dilemmas, problems, and an interesting movie otherwise. In the end, we are not really sure if things are going to work out because in the series, not every ending was happy, too. Yet, all of us in the audience hope there is a happy resolution somewhere, and we wait to see if such a thing is possible in our modern contemporary world.
To make the ride as enjoyable and dazzling as possible, we are given a much clearer and vivid picture of how the world of fashion is an essential part of Carry's universe. She never proclaimed to be perfect and recognizes her defects as her universe is almost perfect at the beginning of the movie. Yet there is a undercurrent of darkness and uncertainty, as we sense that Big might not be able to live up to her expectations. Yet we see their strong bonds, their enduring affection and love for each other as friends and soul mates, and we just know that unless there is divine intervention, these two people are meant for each other. In less epic proportions, we have the personal conflicts of Miranda, Charlotte, and Samantha, who in the film grow up to find much better versions of themselves.
So be prepared to see a dazzling display of the fashions, the admiration and love of the characters in the film for the grandiosity of a place like New Year, the sense of romance that makes the heart of this film beat stronger than the so called romantic films of the last few years. There is love in the way the production came together, in the way the characters interact with each other, the way the words of an insightful writer can see what really matters to us, as imperfect as we can be.
The film will disappoint the cynics that are going in looking for its flaws instead of its assets, and the latter are way stronger that any misstep in these fantastic two hours that combine love, friendship, survival, and a reaffirming belief that in the end everything should work out, pretty much the way our hearts hope it will.
