Moreland at the Movies: Sex in the City 2

By T. A. Moreland

What are they up to now? That’s the question many will have about Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Samantha (Kim Cattrall), Charlotte (Kristin Davis) and Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) as “Sex in the City 2”, opens today.

Well, they’re up to a lot. Carrie’s married to Mr. Big (Chris Noth) and writing a book about the ebbs and flows of her first year of marriage.  Charlotte has a thriving marriage, two small daughters and nanny that just might be too good and too good looking to be true. Miranda realizes that even in the 21^st Century there are still some men that have problems with women who have opinions.  And finally Samantha, at 52, battles the onslaught of menopause.  They start out in New York City then take all of those issues to the United Arab Emirates for a trip arranged by Samantha.

This “Sex” is as great as ever. It gets a strong See It rating.  The key to any successful production is conflict. What dilemma do the characters find themselves in?  Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda each have their own issues, issues which are interesting and fitting their unique personalities.

Sex in the City 2 is really two films.  One is the usual faire, New York life, a wedding of their longtime friends, Stanford (Willie Garson) and Anthony (Mario Cantone), shopping, chatting over drinks, time with their significant others. Stanford’s and Anthony’s nuptials, a lavish event, features Liza Minelli presiding over the ceremony and then doing a stirring rendition of Beyonce’s Single Lady.

The second movie is the travels to exotic United Arab Emirates where the ladies enjoy a luxurious stay, each with her own butler and they share a $22,000 a night suite.

Sex in the City 2, does have its downsides. Samantha’s loud sexual escapades in the middle of the wedding reception is more fitting a juvenile character in an Adam Sandler film then the behavior of a supposedly classy, middle aged, business world professional.  And at 2 hours and 20 minutes the film is a bit long and some parts drag more than the guests at the wedding.

The fact that Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda are aging is not hidden. Carrie openly discusses her arrival in New York City and having met her friends in the 80s which is over 20 years ago. But each of these ladies still looks fantastic. And Charlotte (Kristin Davis) doesn’t seem to have aged at all.

There has been discussion at to whether there should be any more Sex in the City films. My answer is YES!  As long as the characters remain interesting, vibrant with intriguing stories to tell the films should keep coming

Sex in the City 2 is rated R by the MPAA for some strong sexual content and language. And it gets a See It Rating.