Sex in the City 2

I was never an avid watcher of Sex and the City and leisurely endured the first and second movie (mainly admiring the fashion). I have no complaints because I had no expectations. But I did find a major theme to be a little disturbing. Carrie Bradshaw (the lead) continues to express uncertainty regarding the do’s and taboos in relationships, despite being a “note worthy” sex and love columnist writer.

After 2 decades of frantic dating and 2 years of marriage, Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker aka Horse lady) complains that her relationship with her husband has become too Mr. and Mrs. Married. Mr. Big (unfortunate husband) wants to spend quality time at home with take out meals (since Carrie can’t cook), relax on the couch (that Carrie took a year to pick out), and watch black and white movies (which he and Carrie both enjoy). But Carrie (the continuously confused and needy wife), apparently expects married life to entail dressing up, attending crowded events, and crappy catering. Although I recognize the need to maintain an active relationship, not everything has to literally be about razzle and dazzle for a long lasting “sparkle”.

Big comes home one night, after a grueling day at work, with a brown bag of take out. Carrie, appalled, forces him to go out with her that night, fearing that their marriage life was heading towards dullhood. Maintaining the “sparkle” in a relationship is more about strengthening the bond between two people rather than the activity itself. Even in the end, she never really makes an effort to truly understand anyone but herself. Carrie repeatedly fails to take Bigs concerns seriously, continues to be demanding, and receives a black sparkly diamond in the end to remind her that she is married and should seek to be faithful. Uh, what? As a result, the very “sparkle” she seeks to preserve will die due to her self-absorption. What’s more scary is that her clichéd, romantic character persistently pretends to be “writing her own rules” to very common sense things. I have nothing against Sex and the City but this movie was completely unnecessary because it undermined the decades of lessons the show had previously taught.

I, however, enjoyed the time I spent with my girl friends and snagged a newfound love for shoes.