Last night, I indulged in the wonder that is SATC 2. Slammed by the critics; one even labelled their review 'Sucks in the city'. I truly must beg to differ. The movie was opulent, fantastical, heartwarming, funny, pun-filled, silly and overall very enjoyable despite its predictability (you're hard pressed to find an unpredictable one in any summer releases). We all liked it, not as much as the first movie, but a good hearty thumbs up.
It made me think about the characters and their 'roles' as women. They are all so different, yet I'm sure we can all identify with one or more of the girls at different points throughout our lives. I see myself as Charlotte. Very idealistic, keen, by the book, black and white, not impulsive, worried about the impression she makes on others. She wants to be the best wife and mother and failures shatter her. She married someone she never thought she would (in her second marriage to Harry). She and I are also hopeless romantics.
I can also see some Miranda in myself. Driven, bossy, to the point, tell it like it is, concerned with impropriety and doing the right thing.
Now Samantha...I admire her. She has gumption! She's the most successful, fantabulous tart I've ever seen! I could never be that brazen, but she does it looking fabulous and all you can do is outwardly express disdain and shock, while inwardly envying her.
And last, Carrie. I too am often plagued by indecision. Kooky fashion sense - yep, that's definitely me. I also believe that two people can be lifelong loves despite other circumstances that may come into play. And as an aside, I would jump at the chance to be a columnist, writer or blogger (smile).
Together, these women form an uberwoman. Beautiful inside, beautiful outside, strong, weak, a wife, a mother and a whore (let's call a spade a spade). How more can you describe a woman?
Although much lighter than the first movie, it embodied some real and tough issues: gay marriage (and the ensuing question - how are Liza Minelli's legs THAT skinny), boredom/routine in marriage, tvs in your bedroom in marriage, fear of failure as a mother, fear your husband will cheat with someone possessing perkier boobs... Who among us has not had cause to think on these things?
It leads me to ask: what were the critics expecting? The first one dealt with meatier issues; did they really expect the second to do the same? It's a sequel for God's sake. Don't all sequels make you ask - why did they even bother? And if men will go see sequel after sequel of action/comic book movies that are brain numbingly lame, why aren't we afforded that same luxury without scathing critique?
Admittedly, there was more estrogen in that movie theatre than seemed comfortable, but there's something empowering about being in a theatre with hundreds of other women, laughing, gasping, crying and empathizing together. There is power in being women. As sung in one scene:
I am woman, hear me roar
In numbers too big to ignore
And I know too much to go back an' pretend
'cause I've heard it all before
And I've been down there on the floor
No one's ever gonna keep me down again
Oh yes I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to, I can do anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman
You can bend but never break me
'cause it only serves to make me
More determined to achieve my final goal
And I come back even stronger
Not a novice any longer
'cause you've deepened the conviction in my soul
I am woman watch me grow
See me standing toe to toe
As I spread my lovin' arms across the land
But I'm still an embryo
With a long long way to go
Until I make my brother understand
Oh yes I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to I can face anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman
These words build us up and make us feel like we can triumph. Not many movies have this positive of a theme while showcasing women in their good, bad and ugly stages. So as Samantha said about the four of them: 'loves come and go, but we are soulmates'. Let's raise a cosmo to our girls.
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