Culture

Directed by Michael Patrick King
(1/5)


We return to the sparkling lives of Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, and Charlotte two years after the previous film was set. Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) is still married to Mr. Big, as are Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) and Charlotte (Kristin Davis) to their respective husbands. Samantha (Kim Cattrall) is still the cougar of the pack. The opening scene is a gay wedding, providing an opportunity for a barrage of quips and puns. You can see the film isn’t going to try to skim off any froth. The jokes become rather painful after the first ten minutes, but they continue right through all 146.
The film is long and trivial. There are relevant issues: Carrie and Big have marriage struggles; Charlotte and Miranda have trouble with their kids; Samantha battles menopause. But it’s like watching repeats of a sitcom. One of the plot lines, about a hot nanny, is stolen directly from Friends.
Sex and the City 2 has lost the wit of the TV series, and is even more vapid than the first film. It just feels pointless. The characters were always caricatured, shallow and self-obsessed – not to mention terrible actors – but now seem to have lost whatever soul they once had. Like having a friend who has become less likeable with age, fans of the show will find the traces of what were once good about Sex and the City, and appreciate a little more time spent with the characters. Otherwise, avoid.