Guest Blogger-Sex And The City 2

If ever I needed a guest blogger for a film it's this one. I wouldn't know Jimmy Chu from a Charleston Chew. But I knew the perfect guest writer. Linnea Dakin is a friend, screenwriter and big fan of the series. She speaks with an authority I do not possess.Take it away Linnea....

(Full disclosure- I loved the TV series)
I loved this movie. Is it perfect? Of course not, but it’s damn good in my opinion.
Underneath the clothes and handbags this is a great story about 4 women. One is struggling with a committed relationship, once all the “newness” wears off. (i.e., the honeymoon is over) One is dealing with being a mom of 2 young children, and the guilt of not always liking being a mom (and mind you, it took her years to get the children). One is dealing with a crappy job and balancing that with being a mom. (and her trying not to feel guilty because she likes working!) And one is dealing with how her body is betraying her as she gets older (menopause). And as an athletic woman who at 38 is finding my body is changing no matter how well I take care of it, I empathize with that!

There are some who are upset by the Middle East story line. They think this movie is too frivolous to deal with such a heavy issue. But I wonder if they have stopped to consider that more people watched the midnight showing on the first night than have probably watched all of the numerous documentaries on the subject of women's rights in the Middle East... Remember, only the court jester could tell the king the truth without fearing his head cut off. Sometimes laughter is the best way to tell someone “tough news."

And visually seeing the contrast of women from the U.S. versus the Middle East was very impacting, in my opinion. If just one person starts googling and reading up on this subject, isn’t that a good thing?

I loved the obstacle that Samantha was given, her very essence and nature – literally breaks the law in Dubai. Forcing her to embrace who she is and continue to accept herself, menopause and all. (Even if “everyone else” doesn’t always like it) I think it was kind of brilliant to put the women in this situation, that is, the Middle East. I did NOT get it from the trailers, but seeing it played out - it made perfect sense.

I've heard a few people were bored by the gay wedding that opened the film. And it was definitely over the top. But that was the whole point. And if they were listening, there were second meanings in the characters' lines right and left. Just because two men are getting married, doesn't mean the complexity of marriage goes away. Heterosexual people struggle with the same issues...

I actually think this movie may be a little better written than the last one. Kudos to all involved. Well, okay, Ms. Patricia Field, the costume designer, may have gone a little crazy. Ms. Field, may I respectfully remind you that when I’m busy trying to figure out when they had time to change outfits, much less how the characters are not hurting themselves from their clothes, it’s a little distracting. I’ll give you creative freedom on what they wear, no matter how nutty your stuff may be, but at least can you give me the logic of when they leave the hotel and then come back they are still in the same outfit? Please? Thank you. Peace out. ---Linnea Dakin