This bloated blabfest features a few of the most shallow, middle-aged females imaginable, immature material girls commenting about men, money, baubles and designer clothes in a flip and superficial manner. When not celebrating conspicuous consumption and the acquisition of status symbols, the film resorts to the sort of comic relief one would ordinarily associate with a typical raunchy teensploit: fart sound effects, poop and pubic hair jokes, a running-gag about a pet in heat, and the current romantic comedy rage, the gratuitous unveiling of male genitalia.
While this film version of the HBO series failed to measure up to my expectations, that doesn't necessarily mean that the TV show's devoted fans are likely to be as disappointed. Afterall, the picture is essentially an extended episode which embroils each of the original cast members in a personal emotional drama.
The primary plotline finds narrator Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) and John James Preston, aka Mr. Big (Chris Noth) finally agreeing to marry after having dated off and on for ten years. She then calls gal pal Samantha (Kim Catrall) to share her "big decision," when the lamebrained bimbo guesses, "You finally got Botox."
We subsequently learn that sexaholic Samantha, the most promiscuous of the clique, has settled down in L.A. with her neglectful boy-toy, Smith (Jason Lewis), a waiter-turned-Hollywood actor. Her crisis arrives when she finds herself attracted to Dante (Gilles Marini), a tall, dark and handsome hunk next-door with an equally-overactive libido.
It feels like forever by the time this 2½ hour soap opera ties all its assorted loose ends together, especially given that the dialogue is laced with annoying lines like, "It was the best money I ever spent" about buying a Louis Vuitton clutch. An estrogen-fueled salute to the virtues of excess, if that's your Gucci bag.
Fair (1 star)
Rated R for profanity, sexuality and graphic nudity.
Running time: 185 minutes
Studio: Warner Home Video
2-Disc DVD Extras: A digital version of the film, an extended version of the film, extended commentary, conversations with Sarah Jessica Parker and Michael Patrick King, deleted scenes, Fergie interview and a fashion featurette.
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