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Liz Smith | 05/29/2008 9:41 am

Liz Smith: Sex's Party Was a Bang That Would Make Samantha Jones Proud

Liz Smith

Let me share a word or two about Tuesday’s “Sex and the City” premiere in New York City. In a lifetime of attending gala events, this one ranks in the top ten for genuine hysteria and a mise en scene that was downright surreal.

I’ve never seen Radio City Music Hall so crowded. It was like a cross between a rock concert and all-you-can-eat night at The Olive Garden. And every single woman was dressed à la "Sex and the City" — forget the simple black cocktail dress; color, beading, cleavage and thigh-age was rampant. There were hundreds and hundreds of Carries, Samanthas, Charlottes and Mirandas teetering on spindly, gym-toned legs in spindly sky-high heels. The mobs outside Radio City kept screaming when claques of these women appeared, thinking they were the real deals.

Straight men dressed down, leaving it to their ladies to shine. The gays all looked like they’d just come from working out. Everybody seemed really glad to be there. The vibe was partytime! This was New Line’s final release, before they close shop, and they went out with a bang that would make Samantha Jones proud.

When the director took the stage to introduce his four stars, I thought my eardrums would burst, so clamorous was the ovation. And throughout the film, there was applause, talk-back, loud sighs, real tears. Whatever one thought of the product, the premiere had heat and a great deal of joy. I didn’t think about Hillary, Obama or McCain once. It was a real show-biz night. And boy, do we need it now!

There was an almost equally riotous afterparty at MoMA. I stayed for one quick cosmo. By then it was nearly eleven o’clock. I usually complain about how long things go on and premieres starting late, but in this case, I give it a pass.

This "Sex" took a long time getting here. Some despaired of it ever being consummated. So, if the night was a little like the famous warning about Viagra — "call your doctor if an erection lasts longer than four hours!" — it was only appropriate.

*********

"An overstuffed piñata of a movie, a groaning buffet. A banana split on top of a hot fudge sundae!"


"I didn’t know what to put on, so I put on everything" … "Too much of a good thing is never enough" … "Nothing succeeds like excess."

These quotes, from Mae West and Oscar Wilde, seem wildly appropriate in regard to the movie version of "Sex and the City."

This is an overstuffed piñata of a movie, a groaning buffet, a banana split on top of a hot fudge sundae. It’s very long for a comedy. It’s even long for War and Peace. Is it bad? Is it good? Both. Click here to read my entire review on FOXNews.com

Click here on this text to read my nationally syndicated daily column. 

50 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Frannie Em
J B My son should be back from Iraq some time this week. How is your son doing? I hope well. Thank him from my family for his service. LOL on your Fantasy vet husband. Well, know you have a real Vet. God bless him.
By Frannie Em on 06/02/2008 1:05 am
Pamela Munro
I found one wandering about. It was music that brought us together. I recommend it. Oh, I was dressed in a Scottish style Renaissance outfit, too! Throwing yourself at a guy never really works out in the long term, in my experience. The young girls are off in the wrong direction being so tarty….
By Pamela Munro on 05/30/2008 12:54 pm
Bonnie Oliver
Liz - I went to the Foxnews website to read your entire review but I had to stop…..I didn’t want to spoil the movie! Thank you for your comments. The description of the premier was glorious; strappy high heels and all.
By Bonnie Oliver on 05/29/2008 8:59 pm
Liza D 08 .... beta
Ms. Oliver, Did you say FOXNEWS? … as in www. … ? Off to FoxNews I go … Here I am at fox news …. I am typing in Sex In The City movie … nothing about Liz Smith? What am I missing? When will I ever learn?
By Liza D 08 .... beta on 05/29/2008 10:51 pm
Liza D 08 .... beta
yeah, thank you …. wow … when will I ever learn? (shaking head)
By Liza D 08 .... beta on 05/29/2008 11:22 pm
Bonnie Oliver
Hi Liza D. There is a link in the story Liz wrote. Just click on the highlighted website at the bottom of her article. The website is FOXNews.com. And Liza, don’t worry, you will soon be zipping around the website and back to your home page without a second thought. That feeling of being lost inside your computer is not uncommon; many of us here will testify to that fact.
By Bonnie Oliver on 05/29/2008 11:26 pm
Chrome Toe
okay… i’m gonna have to buy the dvd’s for sex and the city and watch them. I’ve never seen a single episode. but if the show causes that much ruckus it must be something.
By Chrome Toe on 05/29/2008 10:52 pm
Liza D 08 .... beta
Ms. Kelly, Sex in the city uses the same plot lines over and over … the difference between episodes is the shoes! Yeah, so, this my opinion … the show is eeehhh and the movie will make money. My tickle bone is fancied by the message that women can change box office. Hhhhhmmm? Would just think about that for minute? WOMEN CAN CHANGE BOX OFFICE …. *Faye is hot …. we love her and we know her work to be CLASSIC …. why not more passionate roles for women over 40 … why all the hub bub “CAN SEXY IN THE CITY PULL IT OFF” … hell, yes they can pull it off and do you know why? WOMEN CAN CHANGE BOX OFFICE! Kelly, enjoy the movie … and enjoy the show and most of all …. enjoy the shoes, the color of success and the outfits …. just be sure to enjoy and remember that WOMEN CAN CHANGE BOX OFFICE! *No, I am not a nutzy fan for Faye.
By Liza D 08 .... beta on 05/29/2008 11:19 pm
Liza D 08 .... beta
Lily, I clearly said enjoy the shoes and the color and blah, blah, blah …. I love shoes … I don’t care who knows it … I have a ghetto shoe collection that would blow your mind. Are you having a game with me? I have learned many lessons today that have nothing to do with googling up lists of world leaders.
By Liza D 08 .... beta on 05/30/2008 12:25 am
C A Rose
Ahhhhhhhhhhh Shoes! I adore them. You know the question earlier this week about ‘the one who got away?’ Men I’ve lost, but I’ve never let a pair of shoes get away from me.
By C A Rose on 06/01/2008 1:19 am
Dona Howlett
Loved Sex and the City…….. Looking forward to seeing the movie. Yes, lets all continue to ignore Mark…..he isn’t worth the effort. Thanks Liz for sharing. Love your writing.
By Dona Howlett on 05/29/2008 11:50 pm
T S
I loved it, too. Each and every episode. Was quite sad when the last season ended. Oh and ignore, “who?” :)
By T S on 05/30/2008 7:05 am
Maggi D
Don’t go to movies but we have a party planned for when it comes out on DVD. Can’t wait!
By Maggi D on 05/30/2008 2:33 am
J B
Only saw a few episodes of the show, but I am taking a “Just Me” day, taking myself to lunch and a matinee of the movie…wearing my cutest (though flat) shoes of course!!
By J B on 05/30/2008 9:28 am
Ulla
that’s the spirit J B … planning to do just the same … never saw much of the show, but the late night syndicated run has been fun on sleepless nights lately … and being in NYC, the hoopla, so nicely described by Liz S. has been unavoidable … having been away from the WOW site for a bit, I can’t believe that that Dr Mark is still popping up like a poison mushroom … hard to ignore but hopefully that’s a good strategy - although it makes me wonder about not reacting to bigotry … so: YES Frank P. give him hell, and thanks Lily, Peg et al for a good laugh!
By Ulla on 05/31/2008 11:16 am