According to Globe and Mail critic Rick Groen, the Sex and the City movie deserves a resounding zero stars. I didn’t even know you were allowed to give ratings this low. Groen, who claims to have been a fan of the hit TV series (I highly doubt that) enumerates these complains: (1) the script’s resemblance to the TV show’s writing and superficial plot lines; (2) the constant brand name-dropping, and excessive parade of fashion; (3) the on-screen sex and nudity; and (4) the male characters’ supporting roles to the women. For anyone who knows and loves the show (like myself), I shouldn’t even have to explain why I found this review so ludicrous.

The Sex and the City movie was created for the fans of the show, for the women who watched it religiously on HBO when it first came out, who continue to watch the censored version on TBS, and who probably even own the DVDs (which are, by the way, selling for around $20 at HMV, and probably even less elsewhere). I for one am glad that the script and plot resembled the small screen version’s writing. When I sat in the packed theatre with over a hundred other women (and a few token men, obviously dragged), I knew we were all looking to revisit characters that we had missed for the past few years. We were looking for the same light, sappy, girl power-infused plot lines that we were always able to depend on for six seasons.

Furthermore, Sex and the City has always been so much about the fashion — whether it’s Carries eccentric couture, Miranda’s toned down earthy looks, Samantha’s plunging necklines, or (my favourite) Charlotte’s preppy strapless dresses. Costume designer Patricia Field deserves nothing but praise. I would expect nothing less.

In terms of the on-screen nudity and sex… the movie is called Sex and the City. For an alleged fan of the TV show, I don’t even know why he bothered to put in the comment. If male full-frontals were deemed acceptable for the small screen, what did he expect from the movie? PG-13?

And lastly, Groen’s complaint that the men only have supporting roles in the film just reinforces my argument that he probably has never watched the show, or, more likely, hated it from the beginning. Why the Globe and Mail, my daily source of “real news”, would ask a critic like Rick Groen to review the movie, I will never know. I apologize that this blog entry was a bit long, but Groen’s article made me a bit angry. Carrie Bradshaw once said, “When it comes to life and love, why do we believe our worst reviews?” Maybe because negative reviews always seems more honest. In this case though, it’s just plain irrelevant. Rick Groen, Sex and the City wasn’t created for you — and frankly, we don’t care what you think.

For Rick Groen’s review, please see the May 29th edition of the Globe and Mail or visit: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080529.wsex30/BNStory/Entertainment/home