After a long time no TV, the movie that the fans* demanded be made has finally besieged the big screens of the world. Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) and her gal pals - feisty redhead Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), sultry blonde Samantha (Kim Cattrall) and prissy brunette Charlotte (Kristin Davis) - are unleashed in all their designer glory.
 
Our heroine and narrator Ms Bradshaw has finally landed her paramour, 'Big' (Chris Noth) after years of breaking up and making up. Wedding fever ensues, as the other gals pitch in while simultaneously dealing with their own life crises (and you just know there are going to be some doozies).
 
The film perambulates around the subjects of matrimony, fidelity, intimacy, joy, pain and, not surprisingly, sexuality. None of the big issues are fully resolved, which is a reflection on the realities of the characters' lives perhaps, as well as, possibly, some scripting issues.
 
There are good, life-affirming messages to be found, which may surprise some viewers: the film does serve as a homage to friendship and a reminder of the need to be able to forgive and be forgiven.
 
The big point to be made re friendship is that it is strictly 'girly friendship' (the guys, for the most part, are cyphers or commitment-phobes). Without her crew it's doubtful if poor old Carrie could get out of bed .
 
There is a manic quality of these bonds of camaraderie but that support base is also the source of the movie's strongest (and I'm talking 'surprisingly strong') dramatic and moving scenes. A big wrap goes out to Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls) who rolls in as Carrie's new PA, Louise from St Louis.
 
That said, there is also an interminable amount of 'fashion porn' to endure for the dags among us. There are designer labels, couturier dresses and handbags aplenty in a non-stop product placement frenzy.
 
This movie is often tacky but worthy of consideration. There is a market for this kind of nostalgic, femme culturefest as evidenced by the box office takings internationally. But it trudges on for 2 hrs 22 mins. Unless you are a hapless fan of the series (the taste police are on the way) you may want to wait for the DVD. Ladies, please don't drag your fellas to this.
 
Re the title, let's get this clear: the movie earns its MA (mature adults, 15 plus) rating for brief depictions of sex. There are also elements of voyeurism, tacky dialogue and strong language for moviegoers to contend with. It ain't a pic for everyone, nor - definitely - a movie for children.
 
Concerning the sex happ'n'ng in NYC, it is either famine or feast for the characters. There is a sadness, a tawdriness, to the worldview expressed.
 
The film and the church would both agree that a healthy expression of sexuality is vital to the health of individuals and relationships. That said, the church would disagree as to how that 'healthy expression' of sexuality is, well, expressed.
 
Sex, as seen in the film and in the western culture we swim in, is reduced to a commodity. There is incredible body pressure and expectations put on women, in particular, and we are all in danger of being sucked into a vertiginous matrix of constantly wanting more and more for ourselves - more money, more resources, more toys, more pleasure, more freedom, more friends, more power - which invariably leaves less and less for others.
 
Ultimately, the film follows the mantra that success and pursuit of happiness are gained at the expense of another. Selfishness and self-absorption are constant companions of the fab four. They do transcend those 'travelling fools' at times, but you tend to regret the melodramatic damage done along the journey.
 
* Here follows the reviewer's declaration of selflessness (cue the violins): I am not a fan. On behalf of you, dear readers, I saw this for Sheridan and the review process. Sitting through SITC rates as the most noble sacrifice this poor servant has undertaken in some time (akin to a visit to an especially inept dentist).

Open House film reviewer Barry Gittins is editor of On Fire magazine, and a regular reviewer for the Salvos' Warcry magazine: www.salvationarmy.org.au/warcry