"Sex and the City" is brand names if not brand new

BY PHILIP WUNTCH
Film Critic Emeritus

"Sex and the City" is no longer just a movie. It's a pop-culture landmark. Or at least it's this month's pop-culture landmark.

Its second weekend took a mighty box-office drop, but everyone involved knew it was a front-ended performer, with all "SATC" faithfuls determined to catch it opening weekend. It's still an unqualified worldwide smash hit.

So what does it all mean? Some analysts hope it will make Hollywood aware that movies starring women of a certain age can still be box-office hits, that not all "chick flicks" have to feature young chickadees. Of course, the same optimism was heard a dozen years ago when "The First Wives Club" hit big. Still, it's possible that the combined clout of this year's "SATC" and last year's "The Devil Wears Prada" could impact Hollywood think tanks. The possible success of the summer's upcoming "Mamma Mia!," with a singing Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan, could add more clout.

Reviews for "SATC" have been mixed, and some have been downright hostile. The wildly popular cable television show was credited with capturing the carefree consumerism of the turn of the millennium. However, the show's final episode was four years ago, and it's been a dour four years. Rampant consumerism is not so guilt-free when gasoline runs $4 a gallon.

Another criticism is that the quartet of lead female characters register a sense of entitlement rather than empowerment. I've always felt it ironic that in an era when women have grown more dominant in the business world, their roles on screen have been less dominant. For at least the last three decades, male movie characters have all preened around with a sense of entitlement. The entitlement registered by "SATC"'s women seems like equal time.

"SATC" fanatics have responded favorably to the movie. But many notice that the film lacks the cable show's flashy visuals, which would seem ideal for the big screen. The movie also carries a melancholy undercurrent, with the creators opting for a different tone than the television series. Even more disturbing to longtime devotees, the onscreen "Sex and the City" lacks an abundance of sex. Even lusty Samantha is more voyeur than participant.

At this point, I must make a confession. I watched only a few of the cable episodes, and my wife Mimi watched only a few more. So what did we think of the movie? Mimi liked it more than I, while I liked some of it and tolerated the rest. The dialogue was never as sharp as I expected. (A recent cable viewing of "The Devil Wears Prada" emphasized how its witty dialogue compensated for its totally predictable plot.) With "SATC" running close to two-and-one-half hours, we both looked at our watches frequently. Although the movie proudly tosses out brand names for the consumer, er, I mean the viewer, I will not divulge the brand names of our watches. If brand names excite you, see the movie. "SATC," all by itself, is one big brand name.