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Shoes, Brunch, Friendship And, Of Course, Sex Won't Be Cut Back In Film Version Of HBO Hit

Kristin Davis, from left, Kim Cattrall and Cynthia Nixon star in "Sex and the City: The Movie."

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By WALT BELCHER

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 28, 2008

As gasoline heads toward $5, $6 or $7 a gallon (will it ever end?), there is something a little obscene about the good life as consumed by the four lucky ladies in the big-screen version of "Sex and the City."

Granted, I haven't seen the movie, but you can bet your $600 Manolo Blahniks that these women won't be seen sitting around a kitchen table, clipping coupons and guzzling Pabst Blue Ribbon.

Having escaped the reality of America's recession, they'll do brunch at trendy Manhattan eateries, sip on Cosmopolitans and look absolutely smashing in designer clothes while talking about men and sex using colorful language that would make Dr. Ruth blush.

And because this is on the big screen, the level of high-end consumerism will be bigger and bolder than it was on HBO.

Excuse me if my blue collar is showing because I really did like the series. And I will see the movie even though I am a man and would rather spend two hours with Harrison Ford even if he has more wrinkles than a Shar-Pei.

On HBO, "Sex and the City" was fun to watch because it was clever, engaging and a little naughty. Also, I've had a crush on Kim Cattrall since she played a mannequin come to life in "Mannequin."

One of the best things about "Sex and the City" was its celebration of older women. Cattrall's sex-driven Samantha Jones turns 50 in the film. The other three are in their 40s: sex columnist Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker), lawyer Miranda Hobbes (Cynthia Nixon) and socialite Charlotte York (Kristin Davis).

We can forgive their indulgences because "Sex and the City" was always like an R-rated fairy tale where thin, attractive and well-heeled princesses bonded in their pursuits of happiness.

Take those fabulous brunches, for example. Dining, drinking and never gaining a pound is one of the series' best fantasies.

"Sex and the City" was hailed and slammed for its portrayal of women. Social conservatives couldn't get past the sex talk while feminists saw the women as heroes.

The foursome have been described as strong, independent and liberated (because their sexuality is part of their identity). But you have to wonder, if the series had been set in the rural South and they were wearing duds from Wal-Mart, would we use different words to describe their behavior?

Some have pointed out that the four friends also seem to be slaves to fashion, shopping and an eternal search for romance. They can find casual sex easy enough; it's the fairy tale romance that eludes them - and they get along just fine.

That's part of the appeal of "Sex and the City," where the moral is: You don't necessarily need the traditional "happily ever after" ending to be happy.

MAY SWEEPING: Depending on which network is cooking the numbers, we have two winners of the just-concluded May sweeps.

CBS won in total viewers, which counts a lot of oldsters who watch all the "CSI" shows, while Fox had more viewers younger than 49 (which is golden to advertisers).

Fox also won the whole season (from September to May) in total viewers for the first time, thanks in part to the Super Bowl and "American Idol."

Can't wait for "Sex and the City" on the big screen? Create your own version of the story with a "Sex and the City" mad-lib on

TUNE IN TONIGHT

The Man With the Golden Arm, 8 p.m., TCM

TCM's monthlong salute to Frank Sinatra continues with his impressive portrayal of a drug addict in this stark 1956 Otto Preminger drama.

Men in Trees, 10 p.m., ABC

ABC canceled this quirky romantic comedy set in rural Alaska, but fans can enjoy the last three new episodes before it's all over.

For more TV listings, go to TBO.com, keyword: TV.

TBO.com, keyword: SATC.

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