5 Reasons Men Should Be Grateful For "Sex And The City"

Many women out there saw the trailer for the upcoming "Sex and the City" movie and smiled at the return of their fab four. Meanwhile, sitting right next to them was a very petrified boyfriend or husband who watched it and simply thought, "Oh, fuck."

Well, don't worry, dudes. Not only are you not expected to head out to your local megaplex to see a bunch middle aged women dress like tweens and curse like sailors, but this movie will be the best thing to happen to your relationship since that time you bought your lady a gift she actually liked.

See, we're not dealing with some dumpy Mandy Moore or Patrick Dempsey date movie here. This is "Sex and the City"! It's like "Star Wars" for girls. You know how you'd rather watch "The Empire Strikes Back" without your lady complaining about how corny it is? Well, she'd rather see "Sex and the City" without you rolling your eyes and making her feel bad for getting sentimental over the misadventures of her long lost pals.

As far as I'm concerned, "Sex and the City" is one big "get out of date movie free" card. Your lady will go see it, you can do your own thing, and then you'll both be happy to see each other when it's over.

And for any guy that remains unconvinced, here are five reasons why the Sex and the City movie is the best thing to happen to your relationship.

1. Again, you don't have to see it

Unlike your average (or, often below average) romantic comedy, "Sex and the City" is a chick flick your chick wants to see with other chicks. She'll watch it with friends, marvel at the cute clothes, have a good cry, and then go out and chat about it afterwards.

Meanwhile, you can stay in and get some alone time, or go out and do man things with your man friends. Afterwards everyone will be refreshed, happy, and ready for an activity you can both agree on.

2. It'll make you look good

You didn't think they'd bring back "Sex and the City" drama-free did you? What is it that super-friendly Steve the bartender is apologizing for in the trailer? And as for Carrie, what are the odds that marrying a womanizing douche is going to go off without a hitch?

Mr. Big might be richer and better looking than you, but (as far as I know) you're not an asshole. Advantage you.

3. It's actually empowering

The most admirable thing about "Sex and the City" is that it's a show about three powerful, self-made women (and their whiny little friend) who have conquered New York in their own special way. Yeah, it's no Working Girl, but this message isn't lost on the show's legion of fans.

So while you think "Sex and the City" blows, your ladyfriend likes it because it actually makes her feel good about being a woman. Let her enjoy it, and save your criticism for actual garbage like "The Hills."

4. It'll make her feel all grown up - in a good way

One of the reasons women dug "Sex and the City" so much was because the lifestyle seemed so cool. Cute shoes, fancy restaurants, cute shoes, sexy guys, cute shoes, frank girl talk, cute shoes...the list goes on.

But that was 10 years ago. Even though she'll be happy to have the "Sex" gang back, chances are hearing rehashed dialogue about penises, quiche, and eating quiche off penises will simply make her think about how much she loved the show in her confused younger days, and how much she's grown up in the last decade. You know, just like you felt after trying to watch "Clerks 2."

5. It's apparently terrible

I know two women who've seen an advanced screening of the movie. One said it was "25 percent good," and the other one found that to be a highly generous review. Over on IMDB.com, the movie has a 4.2 (out of 10) rating thus far. For comparison's sake, "What Happens in Vegas" has a 5.0.

Obviously seeing a crappy movie isn't going to make anyone happy, which is why you can right the ship by making your girl feel good when she comes home. While she's out, take some time to clean something, fix something, make something, or buy something. By the time she comes home, she'll be happy that you're in her life and that the book is closed on a show she once loved dearly.

And if you want to start making some "Amy Sherman-Palladino is my master now" t-shirts, there just might be a market for them.

Comments

[Chandidevi]

I just saw it! IT'S WONDERFUL! HIGHLY RECOMMEND! You won't regret seeing it. The girls are grown up now in this updated episode...and that is just what it is, another episode. I think this may be a lead-in into the show being broadcast again on HBO. I loved it!

[jpcline004]

The most important lesson to be learned from Sex and the City. There is an episode where one of the characters decides not to marry the guy because he doesn't get the right ring. I remember a bunch of girls in college concurring with her decision and talking about it for weeks. This is a good lesson for men, because if a woman cares that much about piece of jewelry and thinks its not good enough for her, it means you should run away because she is a materialistic twit bimbo.

[cjh]

wow! Sexist generalizations thrive in America.

I'd be about as likely to see "Sex and the City" as would my wife - which is to say, not much. We watched bits of the series together, and enjoyed it about equally. In general, our tastes in entertainment are fairly compatible. That's much of why we ended up getting together in the first place.

Based on what I know about my sister, and her man, and my mother, and *her* man, and most of the people I socialize with, I would never have guessed so many people honestly feel that the stereotypes presented in this article and comments were in any way valid.

I like romantic comedies. My wife likes decent Scifi. America apparently likes categorizing by gender.

Live and learn.

[raker]

I liked Sex and the City, but from all I've read it sounds like the creators of the show got the wrong idea about our relationship. We liked the themes of friendship and intimacy - romantic and not; and we liked the humorous scenarios, - sexual and not, that commented on those themes. Naturally, they assumed that what we loved was the shallow consumerism. But we're just not that into shallowness. I think it would be a more satisfying story if the characters grew up as they aged. More wisdom, less cynicism; more self-knowledge, less fear. That kind of thing.

[OddManOut]

I've watched it with my wife and found it to be trite and overly style conscious...and boring.

[misanthropist]

I'm a woman and I'd rather see Star Wars. I would never make myself suffer through that garbage, let alone a boyfriend.

[Rep0X]

I'll second that...
That show / movie is way overrated!

[amanda85]

I'm a woman and I've always thought "Sex and the City" was waaaaaaaaaay over-rated: poor writing, poor acting, just a space for the US corporatocracy to advertise their silly and ludicrously expensive products. Basically QVC for the rich. Not interested in watching the movie at all. You mean, there's actually something wrong with me? ;)

[onceler]

this is a debate for the boomers, no? people of my generation, male and female, watched Sex and the City next to each other, made fun of the terrible writing together, and rejoiced in the fact that women could be more open about sex together. dudes, this show definitely made many women more likely to do it with you, even if you know they're critiquing everything you do and will tell their friends all about it later. that's enough plus by itself. I'm sure the movie blows, and I'm not really interested in seeing it because I just watched it as silly entertainment which was a degree more risque than what you would normally see on TV, I had no personal identification with or investment in the characters. the content of the show in terms of raciness was its strength. the characters were the weak point - yuppies blathering endlessly about what really expensive sh$t to buy next, yawn. as a cultural phenomenon on the whole though, the good far outweighs the bad.

[wayoutleft]

your generation is god's punishment of the boomers for thinking they'd be young and cool forever. all debates are now boomer debates anyway, since you can't debate while your texting your gf in the kibbutz and listening to damien rice on your pda. boomers do, however, appreciate the bemused tolerance you extend toward their verbose daisy-chains of conviction and significance about most everything.
but here's something you need to know: boomers are going out wet and ugly- just like boomer icons bill & hill, who just can't be scrubbed out of this political picture. i mean, some boomer chick will run for prez when she's 100 years old, boomer nostalgia bands will tour into their '80's- another 20 years. larry king is mid-career. the problem is- boomers will still be running the show when you're 80 years old yourself.

[Lovableloser]

Look, people! I went with my husband to see Ironman last week, which was pretty enjoyable, even though I usually don't care for Superhero movies. If I'm lucky, hubby will return the favor and come with me to SATC, but he's sent out signals that I will have to wait until later this summer to cash in my "chick flick points" I gained at Ironman. SATC is too chicky for his blood -- as Carrie would say: It's his dealbreaker. I think SATC is for men what Conan the Barbarian is for ladies -- just too damn much.

So I'll go with my sisters and my mom. It's all good. I love the TV show, and I consider myself one part Carrie, one part Miranda, one part Charlotte...and absolutely NO part Samantha. LOL. But that's the fun. Great writing, excellent acting, laugh out loud absurdity and realistic (and therefore painful!) story lines.

Interestingly, I think the show is better on regular cable -- some of the extreme stuff (female ejaculation? BLECH) was just too much for the Charlotte part of my personality.

Anyway, I'll be running, not walking to see the film, even if I'm all by myself. Thanks, ladies for all of the laughter, cringes and tears. I doubt there will be another show like it -- ever. :-/

[Teadye]

I'm loving it too. My hubby is all aglow that his wife would rather go see Iron Man and Indiana Jones. But then again I'd choose a pair of Magneplanars over a pair Jimmy Choos any day of the week.

[KPinSEA]

Eh, the women in my life would rather see Empire Strikes Back.

[wayoutleft]

"Afterwards everyone will be refreshed, happy, and ready for an activity you can both agree on. " Ben... Ben..... Ben. i so hesitate to crush the illusions of youth. but catastrophe requires corrective advice. after seeing this movie she is going to be sad. it's a kind of midlife crisis deal... taking stock, and so on. you will wind up deconstructing your lives on a dropcloth on the livingroom floor. it will prove her friends right about you. she may Need Some Space...

what you need to do is get her in front of food liquor and chocolate dessert pronto- before she can rehash it with her girlfriends. (yes, there will be a phone rehash and a rehash gathering EVEN AFTER the rehash right after the movie itself, which will be a disturbing experience- count on it.) you have to immediately interpose counteractive experience. you can"t discuss or "agree". you have to get her out expensively and have her tell YOU all about it (and get sympathy from YOU) - not her embittered girlfriends. note: if premptively you shop with her and buy her her satc outfit to wear- including somewhat expensive shoes, she will be yours for life.

[Topfeeder]

Charlotte lost me forever when she converted for that nebbish Harry.

[JaneaneTheAcerbicGoblin]

My heart goes out to all the men who will be kicked dragging and screaming to this mammoth chick flick. The film runs 148 minutes, making it, quite possibly, the longest chick flick ever made, so your work is cut out for you, gentlemen.

Good night, good luck, and god speed...

[angelwax]

yep, I want to parley going to this chick flick for a week in Canada fishing with the boys. I pretty sure I can do it.

[ethancorso]

The weather here in Ontario is brilliant right now.