Yep, I’m a virgin. A Sex in the City virgin, that is. I have never seen one single episode of the TV show. Suffice to say, I didn’t exactly jump at the prospect of seeing the movie, some four years after the show has been off HBO’s airwaves. However, I got invited to a private screening and my very pregnant sister is a huge fan of the show. I thought it might be fun to take her and have our last “girl’s night out” before my nephew arrives and sucks the life out of her for two years (not a swipe at motherhood girls, just stating a cold, hard fact).
The movie clocks in at nearly two and half hours, so I felt rather relieved to have quickly downed some chardonnay before curtain call. Don’t know about you, but I’m finding it harder and harder to sit through long (and usually boring) movies these days. But from the opening scene, this movie (derived from a TV show no less!) captivated me. I got totally sucked into the storyline and the characters, and was completely entertained by the constant parade of haute couture and Manhattan pit stops. In short, I loved it.
And, if we’re really being honest here, I almost cried three times! While critics lambasted the film for its “lightweight” storyline, I thought the plotlines were intriguing. The themes it touched on really struck home: the challenging nature of male/female relationships, especially when it comes to marriage, the incredible feeling and value of having close women friends, and the theme of forgiveness.
All four characters struggle with love—two are married, one is engaged, and one is single. How can we make love last? How can we keep the romance? How can we get what we want and still stay true to ourselves? How can we be devoted and, at times, even doting (I’m convinced all men love this no matter what they say)—but retain a piece of ourselves, for ourselves. All four women have different situations and yet all four grapple with this. I could relate.
I also could relate to the foursome’s friendship. These girls love one another and have been there for each other, through good and bad. Their comfort level runs deep. They can finish each other’s sentences and know immediately how to soothe when the going gets tough. I love this about my close women friends. I can’t wait to call them to celebrate—or to commiserate. It just makes me feel good—and alive. Like all great friendships, there are bumps in the road. But these women are smart and know the value of what they’ve got. The bumps get smoothed and they get back on track. Friends, even good ones, come and go in life. But the best ones last a lifetime.
And finally the theme of forgiveness. Carrie struggles to forgive her fiancé. For Miranda, it’s a cheating husband. And between Carrie and Miranda, a serious faux pas on Miranda’s part, that Carrie has a hard time getting over. Who hasn’t been seething with anger at a friend or lover? Who hasn’t done something terrible that they regret? Who hasn’t let the bad is us prevail over the good? The subject of forgiveness intrigues me and I find it more important at this stage in my life than I ever have.
I had a lot of steam for holding grudges when I was younger. Anger just stuck with me and, in some ways, I embraced it. Not so much anymore. It’s a life lesson and one I feel lucky to have learned.
Serious stuff aside, I laughed my head off at this movie. My sister laughed so hard, quite frankly, I was afraid my nephew might pop out at any moment. The funniest scene involves Samantha and her rather unique idea for a Valentine’s Day celebration with her hunky younger man. Who knew in one movie I could laugh, cry, and get inspired? See Sex in the City, girls. You’ll thank me in the morning.
