Sexism and the City

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  • Posted By: kirei @ 06/04/2008 12:55:39 PM

    How sad are these people that bash this movie? This is a movie makes it's fans happy, accept it. Bottom line is if you're not a fan, nobody is forcing you to watch this movie! Simple isn't it? Why the hate? How is this different people loving the Lord of the Rings series? People are obsessed with it, do you bash them or the movies? Are these angry people for real? Women have something they can collectively love, how is that a bad thing? So what should women think of men that walk around trying to mimic the lifestyles they see in movies? You don't see us cause comotions, we just laugh at you. As for people that bring up resentment...maybe you have an underlying image issues you should take care of first before you accuse women of having self confident issues.

  • Posted By: Arlamo54 @ 06/04/2008 12:55:24 PM

    By all means, lets give a mediocre, ho-hum movie a creative and analytical pass simply because it involves women and our delicate sensibilities might be bruised. THAT'S the ticket to equality, huh?

  • Posted By: Arlamo @ 06/04/2008 12:54:51 PM

    By all means, lets give a mediocre, ho-hum movie a creative and analytical pass simply because it involves women and our delicate sensibilities might be bruised. THAT'S the ticket to equality, huh?

  • Posted By: bustahwolf @ 06/04/2008 12:50:59 PM

    I'm sorry, but IMDB is loaded with internet trolls, and pretty much every "mainstream" film gets attacked by them for whatever stupid reason. I'm sure that the imdb boards for SATC have a lot of unsavory language that falls into that catagory, but it's very difficult for me to put any weight in the comments of a troll. It's not the same as someone offending me to my face.

    As for the RT score: My Trekkie mother, who enjoyed this film, said that she saw a lot of fundamental similarities between the SATC movie and the very first Star Trek movie:

    - Both were probably longer than they should have been
    - The dialogue in both could've been better
    - Both had a fan-pandering scene that dragged on a long time (the Enterprise docking scene in ST, the fashion show in SATC)
    - However, both covered a lot of ground, and a number of questions, that the fans have been wondering about for ages, and still maintained the elements that made the original shows fun in the first place.

    So, she felt neither were exactly good films, but were still very enjoyable. Now, if a nonfan goes into SATC and feels the movie has the same negatives my mother saw, wouldn't they give it a middle-of-the-road or negative review? I just don't think it's as simple as saying it's a majority of sexism.

  • Posted By: kjr9 @ 06/04/2008 12:37:32 PM

    I think it is possible that when you refer to women now "borrowing their personalities from this vapid sitsom" may have always had those personalities. You may just be more aware of it now because of SATC. But maybe we also feel more empowered from a show that reveals how we all really feel so more personalities are being revealed. Times continue to change.

    • Posted By: sjg30 @ 06/04/2008 12:50:21 PM

      you're dead on with that assessment. good job!

  • Posted By: mikethom @ 06/04/2008 12:08:36 PM

    The problem with the female fans of SATC is how they imitate the characters and borrow their personalities from this vapid sitcom. I cannot begin to describe how many grating, over loud showy conversations I have to endure at every turn, living in this city because there are some women who carry this fantasy world into their real lives a little too far. You do NOT see Indianna Jones fans wielding bull whips down 5th Avenue...PS - There is a war going on. How about fixating on that for a change.

  • Posted By: rhesusman @ 06/04/2008 12:08:18 PM

    The problem with this article isn't that there's no such thing as sexist criticism of Sex and the City - I'm sure there are plenty of men who criticize the movie out of sexist motivation. The problem is that this editorial makes no effort to differentiate criticisms motivated by sexism from general criticisms from people who just happen not to have enjoyed it. By that standard, any man who does anything less than lavish praise on it is suspect.

  • Posted By: mikethom @ 06/04/2008 12:05:41 PM

    Even as a gay man, I resent having to see, hear and be near women who borrow their personalties from vapid tv characters. I think that about sums it up. Figure out who youare on your own terms ladies, and stop trying to be vapid mannequins. Peace out

  • Posted By: jazzkat773 @ 06/04/2008 11:58:40 AM

    I am surprised that any man would have a problem with this movie, seeings how the message is very male dominated. Carrie ends up with Big, the man who basically psychologically abused her through out the series. When planning the wedding he complains about how it makes him seem to the public, that it is his third wedding and there is a circus like atmostphere to it. She apologizes to him for wanting what she wants. Miranda gets cheating on for being too involved in her career, Samantha ends up old and alone for being true to herself, she can either have the love of her life OR be true to who she is...and Charlotte lives in a fairytale. Even the new assistant gives up NYC for her man from home...As a woman, I was entertained by the flick but the underlying message really rubbed me the wrong way. This show is supposed to be about empowered women , but it came off as very sterotypical of societial gender roles.

  • Posted By: jazzkat773 @ 06/04/2008 11:58:18 AM

    I am surprised that any man would have a problem with this movie, seeings how the message is very male dominated. Carrie ends up with Big, the man who basically psychologically abused her through out the series. When planning the wedding he complains about how it makes him seem to the public, that it is his third wedding and there is a circus like atmostphere to it. She apologizes to him for wanting what she wants. Miranda gets cheating on for being too involved in her career, Samantha ends up old and alone for being true to herself, she can either have the love of her life OR be true to who she is...and Charlotte lives in a fairytale. Even the new assistant gives up NYC for her man from home...As a woman, I was entertained by the flick but the underlying message really rubbed me the wrong way. This show is supposed to be about empowered women , but it came off as very sterotypical of societial gender roles.

  • Posted By: lizzy3199 @ 06/04/2008 9:07:54 AM

    You don't have to like the movie. You don't have to like Hillary or the fact that a woman would have the audacity to live her life guided by her own principles. What is puzzling...and yes, even disturbing...is the degree of rage and vitriol directed at both Carrie (a fictional character) and Hillary (an audacios politico). Men are indeed a strange breed and that breed apparently likes its *** tame and quiet!

    • Posted By: cdkat13 @ 06/04/2008 11:01:25 AM

      Lizzy3199, I totally agree with your comment. I don't think disliking a movie or a candidate makes you sexist, but you have to wonder about the negativity that comes out at anyone who dares to do something different. That deserve analysis by those espousing the hatred. If you asked men why the negativity towards these two characters in two very differnent arenas, I don' t think they would know themselve. It's scrary due to that lack of introspective understanding.

      I

      • Posted By: katiemo @ 06/04/2008 11:57:54 AM

        I agree that this movie is about women and geared toward women and therefore men may lack interest in it. I think what the article is highlighting is not the lack of interest but the ardent with which males seem to hate this film. I was mocked all the way out of work on friday evening when I mentioned my plans to see it. I didn't hear this same commentary from women when the new Indy came out. I think it comes down to play ground politics. Boys hate to see the girls do well or be in charge and they feel the need to stomp their feet. I don't think its as much a social commentary as it is a fact of life.

  • Posted By: Celtia @ 06/04/2008 8:38:45 AM

    Men are still such sexist morons. Danica Patrick wins a race and she's criticized and her win denigrated because she got her victory the way thousands of male drivers have without being belittled. Hillary runs for President and she's attacked as being a you-know-what when she proceeds in the same manner as her male rivals (confident and authoritative) and as a weak, overly emotional woman when she exhibits a softer side (that men demanded of her!). A little-boy flick like Crystal Skull comes out and it's hailed as great cinema, but a thoughtful, intelligent women's film emerges and it's knocked by men who haven't even seen the series it's based on. This is simply a case of "thou dost protest too much". Men don't like the way they're portrayed in Sex and other women's films as rotten, self-obsessed, lying cheaters because they know that's what they are and they would much rather cling to the illusion that they're nice guys and we're the ones who screw everything up. What a load of garbage! If they weren't such losers in the way they treat women they wouldn't care what women portray them as. Every criticism of this film (and of Danica, Hillary, and all capable, confident, competent women) is a confession of male inferiority.

    • Posted By: ssherb @ 06/04/2008 8:52:06 AM

      Celtia, you're really the sexist here. "Little Boy flick? "Sexist morons?" "Men don't like the way they're protrayed". Isn't that what the bitter women of NOW have mantling themselves with for years? Rotten, self-obssessed, lying cheaters? WOW, girl, get some therapy.

      • Posted By: tcjones @ 06/04/2008 11:54:18 AM

        Wow, nice blanket statements Celtia. You do an excellent job of debasing whatever points your trying to make with such highbrow comments as "men are still such sexist morons." Way to bring the level of discourse up. And I have to point out that the arguments of those who do not feel that criticizing the movie translates to sexism are much stronger than those who are taking the other side, thanks to gems from irrational man-haters such as yourself.

    • Posted By: tcjones @ 06/04/2008 11:48:34 AM

      Nice blanket statements, Celtia. You do a great job of debasing whatever points you are trying to make by showing your blind, irrational rage toward men with such highbrow assertions as "men are still such sexist morons." Way to bring the discourse to such a high level.

  • Posted By: jjla01 @ 06/04/2008 11:50:30 AM

    sorry for the spam..It ate my comments.. :)

  • Posted By: jjla01 @ 06/04/2008 11:49:15 AM

    ...and these woman LOVED seeing their eye candy in Iron Man. I can understand the Indy comment (movie, was horrible) but a vacuous movie, even if it caters solely to a specific demographic, is still a vacuous movie. See "Big Momma's House or any of Uwe Boll's movies for other demos).

  • Posted By: jjla01 @ 06/04/2008 11:46:34 AM


    I disagree with the sexism comment. Do you think that the majority of women would want to see a Halo movie or wrestling movie staring "the Rock"? No, they wouldn't. And they will let you know it, believe me. Blockbusters are catered to the lowest common denominator which includes both men AND women.







    knownknown PLENTY of women who went to se

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    No

  • Posted By: jmadison78 @ 06/04/2008 11:38:26 AM

    As a male member of the Gen X generation and a political observer, I have always thought that someone could write a great doctoral dissertation on how the spirit of Sex and the City is the reason why Democrats lose elections. I think the author confuses discomfort with the characters for sexism. I, and I suspect many others, have negative reactions to the self-absorbed materialism so prominently displayed by four women whose universes do not extend beyond the boundaries of the five boroughs. I would have the same reaction were the main characters men. In short, there are far more compelling stories to follow, especially female ones.

  • Posted By: vabutoni @ 06/04/2008 12:16:53 AM

    Having read the comment posted by boardknot, I'm astonished at how very little some men truly understand women's lives; the universality of our issues, the choices we are faced with, the sacrifices we must make. This show depicts the lives of women in the most genuine, multi-dimensional way than any other I've known! However, I do believe boardknot has struck a chord with one of his observations when he mentions that, rather than portraying the mind-set of middle-aged NY woman, the characters in the show actually parody anyone else's mindset. I think that is exactly the point of the show. The fact that it is set in New York City is to offer up an interesting back-drop when in reality, the true message of the show is that any one of these four women could be your next door neighbor - it doesn't matter where we reside, we face the same adversity and triumphs. Speaking as a regular old midwestern woman in a ponytail, I'm grateful to find something so comfortable and familiar to me up on the big screen. I might not be able to impress with all kinds of fancy words but I am an educated woman and, as a fan, I can absolutely certify that I am "in the know." And, yes, I loved the movie - go figure!

    • Posted By: cdkat13 @ 06/04/2008 11:32:27 AM

      I don't think this is about issues universal to "women's lives" when all the women are white and rich. It represents *some* women, but not most in the changing demographic we call America.

  • Posted By: ssherb @ 06/04/2008 8:47:15 AM

    Sorry...just because a guy doesn't want to see a chick-flick doesn't make him a sexist neanderthal. Never liked the series because I think both sexes have aspects to their psyches that are better left unflaunted on the big screen. Stereotypes like gals who are willing to do anything for a ring from a wealthy guy or men who only want a chick with large bazoombas simply aren't real examples for most intelligent members of both sexes.

    As for strong women who can open movies...your examples suck. How about Sandra Bullock, who I met years ago in college? doing pretty well for herself on the big screen. What about Angelina Jolie, she's carried several huge dollar flicks with those pouty lips and acidic independence. Oh...and Kate Beckinsale? I remember some terrific movies where she was top dog.

    Next time try writing an article that doesn't pander to the National Organization for Women but reflects what's really going on in the hearts and minds of mensand women who actually like and respect the opposite sex. There are a lot of us our here.

  • Posted By: louis66 @ 06/04/2008 11:20:27 AM

    I have to say, I agree with this article. I find it funny how vitriolic the attacks against the movie have been. It's one thing to say "hey.. i'm not into those types of movies" but it's another to insult the actors and the people who like the movie.

    If you want proof that this is based on sexism; take the same scenario and change the players to black actors in a "black" movie. I venture to say that not many of these white men will go to see a movie like Medea's Family reunion or Why Did I Get Married; but you certainly will not see them making offensive, insulting comments about the actors in it (in public anyway). Sexism is more prevalent and acceptable today than racism.
    ... and if you think there is no parallel to the Obama and Hillary primary.. think again. Just look at late night shows and count the number of negative jokes at the expense of McCain and Hillary then compare them to the number of negative Obama jokes.

    • Posted By: Caryn X @ 06/04/2008 11:25:51 AM

      I absolutely agree with you. The men who went out of their way to insult and vote negatively without seeing this movie, would never have the guts to do the same thing to a movie with black actors.

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