From Sunset Boulevard:Joe Gillis: “You used to be big.”
Norma Desmond: “I am big. It’s the pictures that got small.”
Chris Noth is Big and he used to be big, back when Sex and the City was a mega hit on the small screen.
The small screen worked for the actresses, too, none of whom, with the exception of Cynthia Nixon, truly possessed acting chops; it worked for the clothes, which ran the gamut from boring business (Miranda) to expensive skank (Samantha), from uptight prep (Charlotte) to urban boho (Carrie); it worked for the locations—the restaurants, the bars, the shops, which filled the screen with energy.
To riff on Norma Desmond, this is a picture that should have stayed small.
On the small screen, the clothes wouldn’t have to feel like props—the gigantic scrunchie Carrie wears across her body, for instance, or the gigantic flower she pins to her dress.
Indeed, even the length of this film is extreme (2 hours 22 minutes), desperately calling attention to its “big” ness.
But like that maddening oversized scrunchie (remember when regular scrunchies were once a delicious plot point on SATC?), this film smacks of a pretty fabric exterior with an elastic center, one that’s been stretched too far to make it fit the big screen.
When Big was small, he was big. When this picture was small, it was big. Now that it’s big, I suspect it will be, well, empty.
**Smart and gentle readers: please feel free to disagree; Miss Cavendish may still be feeling punchy, but she is open to dialogue!
Miss C: I just saw it today (I have a post lined up for Monday). I was all set to hate it but, gotta tell you, it was a) totally entertaining (moreso than the show, which I didn't really care about) and b) gorgeous to look at (fashion, architecture, landscapes). I'm gonna have to disagree. If entertainment is what brings you out - and I see precisely 1 movie a year in theatres cuz I can't be bothered - this film fits the bill. K
ReplyDeletePS Wouldn't have seen this movie if my friend hadn't bought the tickets and set it all up.
Maybe a friend will do the same for me . . . Thanks for the friendly disagreement, K.Line!
ReplyDeleteI saw it last night! I agree with you on this. I agree with the substance of what you say, but it's still enjoyable. I perhaps very simplistic comment, but it's interesting that the film is enjoyable largely because it fuels consumerist fantasies...
ReplyDeletemost of the clothes are props
Miss C--on a whim, I raced to the movie--was all prepared to not like it--but I did--it was like watching a great season of SATC AND the redo of Carrie's apartment was fabulous.
ReplyDeleteAnd perhaps consumerist fantasies provide just the right escapism at this historical moment? . . . ;)
ReplyDeleteLove all these dissenting voices! Maybe I'll break down and see it this summer--if one of you will please babysit for me . . .
ReplyDeleteJust saw it with my hubby. A harsh critic, he did not love it, but he did say it was better than Indiana Jones. (That's saying A LOT.) It was FAB. I couldn't help oohing and aahing over the clothes. And the storyline says a lot about the importance of forgiveness in relationships.
ReplyDeleteAhh--the positive reviews just keep flying in! I'm practically convinced to see this film now! (But I still need a babysitter ;).)
ReplyDeleteI'm with you Miss Cavendish! I have no desire to see this movie, as I never got into the show, and I certainly don't need anything fueling my consumerist fantasies!
ReplyDelete