I’m sorry, but they look terrific.
So, we just finished watching And Just Like That, the many years later sequel series to Sex and the City. And we loved it – apparently a fairly unpopular opinion to have. And I thought about the various negative reviews I read and various nasty editorials also, which implied deep-seated self-awareness issues, and I thought, maybe I could add a different slant to the discussion. So, here goes – they look amazing and it’s not about that.
They got off to a rocky start, a little too heavy-handed, but when was the last time you reunited with a friend you haven't seen in 20 or 30 year? And how'd that go? It takes a minute to find your rhythm, don't you think?
My point is this, or points, I should say:
A. Any critic younger than, let’s say, 35, who is writing about the appearance of the actresses or the content of their mid-life experiences is irrelevant because, guess what, it didn’t happen to you yet. You haven’t experienced the Tuesday morning glance in the mirror when you realize your neck now looks like an ancient oak tree with folds that seemingly appeared over night. You don’t yet know the strange acknowledgment that your body controls you now, not the other way around. You haven’t gotten your newest iPhone update yet and realized, “I just don’t give a s**t.”
Wait...
B. Any critic younger than, let’s say, 35 who thinks the characters are trying too hard to stay current and in touch and criticize them for that, shame on you.
And wait...
C. Any critic younger than, let’s say, death, who isn’t touched by the bizarre dramedy of growing older in America right now and everything that entails, from the sudden losses to the surprise medical maladies to the delicate internal thoughts of, “What did I miss along the way?” or “What did I do wrong?” or “Is that all there is?” to quote Peggy Lee, well, call me in a few years and we’ll have a long talk.
Don’t ever forget this is fiction. Don’t ever forget these characters are microcosms of time-sensitive concepts. And there’s comfort in that. Sarah Jessica Parker is a friend of mine. I don’t think she knows that, but intellectually, in an abstract sort of way, she is. I love her bravery, I love her charm, I love her natural sexiness and I love her shoes. And she’s letting herself mature while all of us watch.
And guess what – she’s doing it better than all of us.
I don’t judge others. I say if you feel good with what you’re doing, let your freak flag fly.
– Sarah Jessica Parker