Sex and the City 2: Not as Bad as the First

Maryam and I saw Sex and the City 2 on opening day, Friday, as part of our reunions ritual. After the epic fail that was Sex and the City: The Movie, our expectations were low. After all, the first movie used a ridiculous plot to advance no real ideas but the idea that all women can get what they want simply by being selfish. Though it tried to empower women by allowing Samantha to dump Smith at the end with an "I love you, but I love me more," the desired effect was canceled out by the pure absurdity of the plot. These characters were no longer empathetic single ladies trying to navigate a city full of jerks, but privileged women who complained despite having everything they thought they wanted, including men who doted on them. The only realistic problems in the first movie was Miranda's: what to do when a husband cheats, but only once. However, it was resolved with little exploration and an unrealistic meeting on the Brooklyn Bridge. Instead, the film focused most of its attention on Carrie's struggle to find herself after getting dumped by Big at the altar. Though it was clear to the audience that Carrie's overindulgent demands is at fault, she never fully redeems herself.

For the most part, Sex and the City 2 stays away from melodrama or serious messaging. Indeed, this sequel's lack of seriousness actually makes it fun, especially for fans of the TV series. Early on, Samantha claims that she's tired of the recession and wants to go to some place "rich." The film delivers on this by showing blinding scenes of luxury without regard to reality. But that's ok because it knows that its viewers are watching this to seek escape, and not be reminded of their less luxurious lives. And so the movie opens with Stanford and Anthony's gay wedding at an indulgent Connecticut cottage. There's white everywhere, from the men's chorus to the swans. Out of no where, Liza Minnelli appears to officiate the wedding and do a Single Ladies dance number. Meaningful? No. But fabulous? Yes.

Next, the girls travel to Abu Dhabi on an all-expenses paid trip provided by a prince who may hire Samantha for PR purposes. This is the Abu Dhabi of Conde Nast Traveler, not National Geographic. The ladies' stay comes replete with four butlers and four private sedans. We later find out that this is what $22,000 a night buys.

In true SATC fashion, Carrie can't go two minutes without making a groaner and Samantha can't go that long without making a reference to sex. When Charlotte suggests that there should be a law against hot nannies, Carrie shoots back, "Yes - the Jude Law." When the girls encounter a hot Australian out in the desert, Samantha muses, "Lawrence of my labia!" But we expect these things and smile or roll our eyes with the characters when they happen.

As for themes, and messages, there are some, and they are much more believable than those addressed by the first film. Sex and the City 2 simultaneously looks at what makes a good marriage, and women's freedom in the Middle East. It pulls off the first better than the second. Carrie starts to question her marriage (duh!) when Big suggests they maintain multiple apartments so they can take 2 days apart from each other a week. Rather than seeing this as a sign of her wealth, Carrie sees it as a sign of doom to come. Luckily, the girls get to go to Abu Dhabi to try to work on their problems. Naturally, Carrie runs into ex-fiance Aidan, which more literally tests her marriage. At the same time, Abu Dhabi tests the girls' respect for other cultures. While Miranda tries, Samantha basically fails by flaunting her sexuality in public until she gets arrested. It's hard to know what to make of Samantha's arrest. Is it a lesson that we should respect other cultures, or a lesson that America is so much better because one wouldn't get arrested here?

In any case, the lessons and themes are not why one sees Sex and the City 2. It's for the decadence, the familiarity with old characters, and even the obvious puns.