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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

Dr. Mark Klein
Wouldn’t miss the “Sex and the City” movie for all the tea in China. Love movies depicting the essential truth that men are the center of the universe! Totally mindboggling how much mental energy women put into thinking about us and plotting to track us down.
By Dr. Mark Klein on 05/30/2008 10:07 am
Frank Peterson
Dealing with your stupid ass once a week is enough—I can’t handle any more of your shit today!
By Frank Peterson on 05/30/2008 10:51 am
Maurine H
Light up a doobie Frank!
By Maurine H on 05/30/2008 2:38 pm
Peg O my heart
I don’t think even that would help, Maurine!!
By Peg O my heart on 06/11/2008 9:06 pm
Pamela Munro
Liz what is your take on the mini-riot that supposedly took place outside because the film’s people had given away too many tix to the preview - and then they somehow refused to open up the balcony of Radio City to fit them all in? Surely the production co. could have afforded THAT. Love to see all those women so eager to see a chick flick, though. Give us more costume movies, like the old days & we will come!
By Pamela Munro on 05/30/2008 12:57 pm
MaryPage Drake
I don’t care! I don’t care! I don’t care! I adored Sex & The City, prude that I am. (Yes, I test out as Charlotte.) Enjoyed every galfriend minute of it, the lunches most of all. Hated the sex and never, ever understood Samantha; but I love her. Going to the moving picture show with a daughter and a granddaughter (all my granddaughters are over 21). We asked her lawyer daughter to join us, but she is going tonight with FOURTEEN galfriends! They are going to meet for Cosmos (es) first, then off to the Show! What a blast That is going to be! Hey world, loosen up!
By MaryPage Drake on 05/30/2008 1:02 pm
kermie b
I have all the DVDs to SATC. I bought them as they came out and wore them out—early seasons I cannot play because they are so scratched up. I love this show (and hope to love the movie) on so many levels. The women are independent and smart and don’t NEED men to complete them; the right man can be a wonderful companion, though. That is why Klein hates SATC so much and felt the need to crawl out of the woodwork once again to try to spoil our party. We should ignore him, I agree.
By kermie b on 05/30/2008 2:41 pm
kermie b
I love Frank for his verbal trouncing of Klein. Frank! You are my hero.
By kermie b on 05/30/2008 2:45 pm
Ulla
absolutely totally agree with this … thanks, Frank
By Ulla on 05/31/2008 11:20 am
phyllis Doyle Pepe
Re: Dr. Klein: It’s amazing how he manages to ruffle so many feathers. It’s almost fun to have him post so that we can throw verbal tomatoes and yet–––––––he just takes a warm wash cloth, rinses off and sallies forth, dick in hand, spewing his nonsense and, as his picture attests, LOOKIN LIKE SOMEONE WITH A BRAIN. And this is a man that treats people? It beggars the imagination. So––––let’s give the devil his due. IGNORE HIM. and what was this thread about? Oh, yes, I liked Sex and the City because it was fun, it was well done, and the friendship between the women reminded me of what I used to have in high school and college and that, for me, was satisfying.
By phyllis Doyle Pepe on 05/31/2008 4:18 pm
J. Stephens
Went Friday evening opening day in LA. Packed to the gills. SRO. My friend got there early and saved a seat for me. We LOVED watching all the people, absolutely enjoyed every single minute of it. I go to movies because I love to be entertained. There was no violence, no death, nothing to worry about for 2 and some odd GLORIOUS hours. It was the best night I have had in ages. And quite frankly one of the best flicks I have seeen in a long time. Just pure fun, delightful entertainment. And p.s. I hope they rake it in at the box office! They deserve it. Looking forward to SAC part 2 and 3 and 4 and 5!
By J. Stephens on 06/01/2008 2:43 pm
Elizabeth Bennett
I loved the movie. Not the best movie ever made, but certainly a hoot and fun to watch. I guess it didn’t occur to me that it was long, I was so absorbed in the story. One thing I liked was that you got a better idea about who Big was in this movie, not just learning his real name, but some of his insecurities.
By Elizabeth Bennett on 06/02/2008 1:18 pm
Micky Mc
Mark Klien….go away!!!!!! you do NOT know what your talking about MOST of the time
By Micky Mc on 06/02/2008 10:44 pm
Jackie Blue
The movie was great, true to the series. I loved the series and watch the episodes on HBO on demand, whenever I want to relax, laugh and reminisce. I love the friendship, the girl talk and the clothes. The series brings you back to single life and figuring it out. Through it all, we have our girl friends. It is about dating and love and thats what we did while we were finding out the answers to some of the questions about ourselves. I love the trivial stuff and the “true to life” meaningful stories that are shared by all women. I love that each character was surprised at who and where they ended up. The movie continues to show the friendship and the new questions that will be asked after the passage of your late 20’s, 30’s and early 40’s. I went to the premier with my friends and my Mom. We all dressed up and had drinks before and after. What was great about the evening is that it was all for Us. Women don’t have a lot of events to get excited about, dress up and make a night of. Unlike men who have their sports. I love sports, but this was all for the girls!!! I congratulate Sarah Jessica Parker for getting it all together and for the success it brought her. Along with all the others. I think we all have a bit of each of the characters in us and that is why it was such a great series. HATS OFF TO NYC!!! The greatest city in the world….. In the spirit of Carrie… one can only wonder…… what life will bring.
By Jackie Blue on 06/04/2008 5:52 pm
Sharon Sage
Hello, from England, you should have seen the girls over here on the opening night of s.a.t.c…they all looked fabulous, not the usual jeans & jumper combo thats usually spied at the flicks. This is a great site , I love it .
By Sharon Sage on 06/12/2008 3:25 am