So This is Sex and the City (A Guy’s Perspective)

Believe me, a hundred and one plans have flown over my head on how not to get myself into “Sex and the City”.  In a last-ditch attempt, I asked Cynthia in all feebleness, “Shall we check out the reviews on this movie just in case?”  Her response was, “It’s Sex and the City.”  Cool as a cucumber, just like her.

Look, a bunch of actresses in their mid-forties (and one in fifties) is not exactly sexy; nor can I relate to New York City.  I have not watched even one single episode since the season began in 1988 so I didn’t really know what to expect.

I was not surprised that the female audience inside the theater outnumbered the male species by a great mile.  I was (still am) immensely annoyed that the editing of the sex scenes is so poorly done, probably due to the film censorship restriction.  And I was surprised that I did enjoy watching this movie.

I need to see a therapist, to fix my manhood, today.

I often think that it is no easy task to bring a successful TV series onto the big screen.  A TV episode is usually short (20 to 40 minutes each); it has a certain repetitive pattern for each episode with an overarching story that spans the entire season; each episode has a constant stream of valued entertainment throughout taking in consideration of the commercial breaks.  And I often have a lot of respect for the actors and actresses in a long running TV series.  Why?  It is hard work and they get to practice their craft day in day out.  I do admire people who work hard for their passion.

Movies, on the other hand, is a totally different ball game.  The storyline does not get resolved within 20 to 40 minutes, nor it stretches to a duration of one season worth of materials.  So, what is a good strategy in bringing a successful TV series onto the big screen?

In “Sex and the City”, it is more or less a movie with four love stories evolving around the four main characters.  You may say that a 145 minutes long movie is a bit too long, even for the fans (in US, it is advertised as 135 minutes and I wonder why).  But if you look at it as four separate stories mashed into one, I think it is about right.

The movies does watch like a long TV drama program with pockets of humor from beginning till end.  The girls on screen do seem like having lots of fun with a certain female bonding that only girls can understand.  At times I hanged out with a group of female friends and when I turned invisible (believe me, it is easy when you were me), it seemed as though I have stepped into a whole new world of female aura.  The things that girls like to talk about and the little things they do, I am truly amazed.

Truly amazed I was as I watched this bunch of rather mature actresses still able to bring out the sexiness and strong female attributes within.  Sure, for the fans, the storyline may not be as strong as what it was 10 years ago.  And to glamorize the faces and bodies of what-you-see-is-what-you-get (again, these actresses are not exactly young) comes the over-the-top fashion and even a huge golden necklace the main character of Sarah Jessica Parker wears on the bed.  I am OK with that, seriously.  I need some occasional visual stimulation.  And I think “Sex and the City” portrays the emotion of the actresses well too.

Now, since I am probably an overly sensitive hopelessly romantic new age kind of guy who incidentally loves the chick-lit genre so naturally, whatever I say is discounted by half if you are a guy reading this blog entry.  Judging from the laughter I heard in the theatre by the guys behind me, I would suppose guys love “Sex and the City” too.  I read that during the filming, multiple endings were shot in public due to the constant presence of the paparazzi.  I wonder if these endings will be featured in the DVD.  The uncensored version would be so much better to watch, in my opinion.

“Sex and the City (the TV series)” is meant to be a realistic portrayal of the sexual behavior and lifestyles of many urban Americans.  Have they achieved their goals in this movie?  Only girls can tell.