Sexism and the City

I think you guys are a little over the top. I think someone here said it best when they said it is a movie for women. Of course men don't like it. it has nothing to do with not wanting to see strong women on the screen or anything like that. It has more to do with the same reason most women don't want to watch a hunting or fishing show on the outdoor channel. It is just not their cup of tea. You also have to realize that a movie like Indiana Jones is a family type of movie that appeals to almost everyone were SATC pretty much only appeals to women. My mother is a huge indiana jones fan and I know she will be going to see that movie but doubt that she will ever watch SATC so to say that movie is a mans movie is just stupid it has such a wider range of people for an audience. If I made you watch a movie that you could not relate to and had no interest in on any level would you feel obligated to give it a good review? My guess is probably not.

I think you guys are a little over the top. I think someone here said it best when they said it is a movie for women. Of course men don't like it. it has nothing to do with not wanting to see strong women on the screen or anything like that. It has more to do with the same reason most women don't want to watch a hunting or fishing show on the outdoor channel. It is just not their cup of tea. You also have to realize that a movie like Indiana Jones is a family type of movie that appeals to almost everyone were SATC pretty much only appeals to women. My mother is a huge indiana jones fan and I know she will be going to see that movie but doubt that she will ever watch SATC so to say that movie is a mans movie is just stupid it has such a wider range of people for an audience. If I made you watch a movie that you could not relate to and had no interest in on any level would you feel obligated to give it a good review? My guess is probably not.

There are certainly many critics of "Sex and the City" who are motivated (consciously or otherwise) by sexism. That said, the argument that this is a significant factor in much of the criticism of the show is intellectually indefensible, as it rules out the possibility that any man could dislike the show for reasons that are unrelated to sexism. Not only does this thinking falsely assume that "Sex and the City" is a show of such unquestionable merit that no serious argument can be made against it, but it stifle the right of men and women who legitimately dislike the show to freely express their opinions without fear of disparagement and mischaracterization.

BronxClaudia.....you R-O-C-K !

Sex In The City has NOTHING TO DO WITH HILLARY NOT GETTING NOMINATED!!!!!! Wow...take your screen hero's advice and seek a little counseling. Bitter...bitter...bitter...

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.

How could most men enjoy and appreciate SATC? That's the point. It's for women, and we are different from men so no one expects them all to be able to wrap their brains around it. And I won't even go into the fact that every once in awhile maybe it's ok for women to have a fun movie for them that perhaps somewhat objectifies men versus the other 90% of movies that objectify women....of course no men have issues with that nor do women violently complain about it. SATC is a movie. One made for women. And if men feel threatened by that, the only advice that can be offered is maybe to grow up and get over it. There are lots of strong, intelligent, successful and outspoken women out there with opinions AND a sex drive....God forbid that be reflected in a movie!

Thank you, Ramin Setoodeh, for putting into words what I unconsciously felt listening to criticism of this movie and all the snide comments by men about being "dragged to view Sex and the City." Methinks they protested too much. It's another outcome of the basic fear men have had from time immemorial of women. Or else why have they tried so hard to denigrate us, degrade us, and put us down any way they can.
Pegasus

As a man, I actually was a fan of the Sex and the City series until the finale. I felt that for a show that prided itself on displaying women as strong and independent, it was a betrayal for the main character to end up with the man who had treated her with such disrespect. I felt it sent the wrong message and tried to tie a fairy tale bow onto what had been an insightful and ground-breaking show. For that reason, I refuse to see the movie.

I couldn't stand the show, don't wanna see the movie, but these b*&ches all have jobs and pay their own bills! Granted they got some unrealistically well-paying gigs, so Why are people saying they want men to buy them shoes?? I've unfortunately seen alot of the reruns on chan 11 and don't recall any of these women asking a man for any Material things...

A proper example of a dude flick would be, say, The Transporter. Citizen Kane can be enjoyed by anyone with half a brain. Fortunately, you only need a quarter to a third of a brain to enjoy the Sex and the City Movie.

But at least it has a feminist message I, as a twenty something woman, can get behind--shoes! Shoes shoes shoes! Ooo, and pretty designer dresses made with fabric stitched by third world 8 year olds! And huge walk in closets! Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Oh, and also "finding yourself," which can be accomplished through lavish vacations and seemingly endless time devoted to hanging out with your girlfriends because working women are so seldom actually at work.

This makes me laugh. "Criticism of SATC must be sexist!" How empowering. I'll be sure to tell all my enlightened friends that I liked it. Wouldn't want to be an "ist." By the way, don't you hate all those racist critics who hated Soul Plane?

This is funny. Criticism of the movie must be "sexist." That's empowering! I will be sure to tell all my enlightened friends that I enjoy SATC. Wouldn't want to be an "ist."

Let's be honest--this is a good old-fashioned chick flick. Other than a few artsy endeavors, there hasn't been a good, mainstream movie for women in years. So is it any surprise that women would flock to a movie that is essentially a fairytale set in Manhattan--with great clothes and fabulous shoes to boot? The fact that guys would hate this movie is a given and it has nothing to do with being sexist. It's not a movie they'll "get" because it's not they are GUYS. How many guys are taught from day one that the end-all-be-all is to get married? None. How many guys could tell the difference between Chanel and Vera Wang? Not many. Guys are simple--movies that speak to them (and this is in the most general terms) have explosions, strong male characters, and really fast cars or space ships with a buxom blonde or brunette drinking a beer and cooking dinner in nothing but an apron thrown in for some sex appeal. Why in God's name would any man actually WANT to go see "Sex" unless he's hoping to score points with his girlfriend and appear to be sensitive and more in-touch with his feminine side. "Sex" isn't a date movie--it's a power trip for women--and it's about high time.

Being middle class, overweight and gay, I by no means identify personally with any of the Sex and the City gals (except for, perhaps, Miranda, who is the most evolved of the four of them and no, not just because Cynthia Nixon, who plays her, is in a gay relationship in "real life"). However, I am a romantic at heart and thoroughly enjoyed the Carrie-Mr.Big storyline for the past eight years and loved seeing it finally tie into a knot in the movie (after the initial jolt that comes early in the film). I also found it amusing that the men represented in the film were, for the most part, the ones with the Bambi eyes, worrying about how to reconcile with their women, not vice versa (though, of course, Carrie is the epitomy of straight girl hell, crying and lamenting over Big every chance she gets). The truth is these women, except for perhaps Charlotte, truly are self supporting (contrary to what some male critics have said) and they flaunt it with glee: Carrie is a successful author, Samantha a P.R. magnate and MIranda an attorney. So, let them have their fun and please, guys, turn down the drama-mama antics. You're starting to sound so.....female!

If Carrie and her friends are the personification of American womanhood, then we are all doomed. White, rich (with hardly any visible means of support), and more interested in the objectification of men than they are in being reasonable human beings. Does this sound familiar? Boring mimcry of American male bourgeoisie.

Great article and analysis! I wholeheartedly agree. It's a pity that so many men feel threatened by these four funny, intelligent characeters and by the millions of women who loved the series and now love the movie. Tells a lot about the self-esteem of these guys. I feel sorry for them and hope they come to terms with their insecurities.

The highest grossing opening for a movie starring women, pretty vague statistic. Obamamaniacs is not an acceptable term for a journalist to use to describe voters. Men are threatened by sexually liberated women because sex is not equal in the US. Women are not routinely reduced sexually at birth as are men. They are protected from sexual mutilation in the name of hygiene in childhood. Men are not. I'm a one trick pony on this issue but only because it's true.I don't think the series is something I would want to watch butthere is obviously a hunger for women to be unrestrained and this is a realease for many of them.