Fashion statement

Until today, I just hadn't found the time to go see SATC 2. As a fan of the series (although admittedly less of a fan of the first movie), I felt that I owed it to myself to make the time, so today, only four or so weeks after the rest of the world, I did.

For those of you in a similar position to me, who quite want to see it but aren't sure as 95% of reviews, both critics and audience, have been beyond negative, and you find yourself only really still tempted because you know one or two individuals who told you that yes admittedly it IS self-indulgent and has huge great lashings of cheese*, it's still worth it for the fun/fashion/comforting girlieness factor, my advice to you is: don't bother.

If it's about the fun: yeah, ok so seeing Charlotte fall off a camel is sort of funny but it's spoilt by the next word out of her mouth being "iPhone", which manages to crop up in at least every third sentence she utters. And yes, Samantha pursues inappropriate sex to her peril. And yes, Miranda, well actually she doesn't get to be all that funny. Which is a shame, but as I said the producers were clearly too busy working camels, iPhones, gay butlers, improbable bookclub meetings, Liza minelli, lesbian nannies and even the cringingly bad Omid Djalili into a weak script.

Fashion: well. Imagine an angry-looking lion in a tuxedo, wearing a big black crown thing in (on?) its' mane...and you have Carrie's outfit for THE wedding of the century. Or imagine Liza Minelli in what is basically a baggy sequinned t shirt. Not good. Leaving you gagging for more and wanting to scout out next seasons looks? Well. If the answer really is yes then I guess go ahead and watch it, but you'll be disappointed if you want to take the fashion seriously.

Comforting girlieness factor: it's actually not that comforting. It sort of reassures you that no matter how hard married life can get sometimes, every couple has their own individual issues and the way to deal with them has got to be what works best for the two of you and no one else. However, no one else has a marriage like Carrie and Big. I won't spoil the end but, predictably, someone fucks up and you might find the aftermath/fallout surprising. You might not though, had you better prepped yourself for SATC world than I had. All I can say is that is it very unlike real life, and so I find it all very hard to relate to on any level, and therefore hard to draw comfort from in any way. Specific scene highlighting this key point: when Charlotte and Miranda are lamenting the trials and tribulations of motherhood, and how hard it is despite both having full-time nannies, and they drink a toast to the mothers out there who do it without the hired help. Patronising? Yep. But acknowledging the difference between them and the vast majority of women across the globe is rare.

But don't let me stop you. I haven't even started on the racial and gender stereotyping yet, you'll have to find out the rest for yourselves. Or don't bother. If the angry crown-wearing lion in a tux wasn't enough to put you off this movie, then let me remind you now that it is two hours twenty-five minutes long. It is quite long, and can feel it at times. The ludicrous outfits and general improbability of so much of the film is quite entertaining in itself, so if you do see it I'd advise you do what I did and sit in a quiet enough part of the auditorium and go with someone you can bitch with as you're watching it.

What can I say, it passes the time. Not necessarily quickly, but you know: time passes. At times, slower than others.


* specifically something especially cheesey. Like a big squishy Brie.