Yes, this probably was inevitable
We received a link from two Alert Janeites, Julie S. and Kirsten, to the Entertainment Weekly review of the new Sex and the City movie (spoilers contained in the review, apparently, though we read it without being much spoiled). Of course it contained a reference to Jane Austen, because how could it not? Chicks like shoes and SatC and Jane Austen, right? They all go together, right?
If Carrie’s desire for love had an element that was undeniably…aspirational, what of it? Wasn’t that true of Jane Austen’s heroines?
No, not really. Carrie Bradshaw is perfectly capable of supporting herself very well. She lives in Manhattan and has a large collection of Manolos; clearly girlfriend is not flipping burgers at the truck stop, or marrying a Mr. Collins just to have an establishment of her own.
A commentary in thisisderbyshire also compares the film to Jane Austen’s novels:
These women are dangerously high maintenance but, despite their fabulous fashions, designer jobs and lavish lifestyles, at least three of them haven’t moved on from the Regency heroines of a Jane Austen novel.
Pride and Prejudice’s Bennet girls faced being on the shelf at 30 if they hadn’t found a man; Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw is told by the boss of Vogue that 40 is the last possible age that a woman can be seen in a bridal gown. Only sex-mad Samantha (Kim Cattrall) seems to have found a more modern attitude to life.
As a result, Sex and the City the movie, plods the same, wholly predictable course as every romantic comedy since Ms Austen invented the template. Only the dresses have changed.
Do we have to bring out the fake movie quote again? If that’s what you think Jane Austen’s books are about, you need to read them again.
June 2nd, 2008 at 5:21 am
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! NOT THIS COMPARATION AGAIN! Really, those people are not real journalists, if they were they will research before write things. COME ON!
June 2nd, 2008 at 9:26 am
It’s Entertainment Weekly. Annoying, yes, and certainly worthy of note in such a marvelously comprehensive blog… still, only an example of the uppermost layer of foetid foam on the bucket of swill that is popular culture.
Perhaps you should institute a “Brainless Bandwagon” category?
Enough of this; I’m off to explore the rest of this truly impressive site. Brava!
June 2nd, 2008 at 11:34 am
still, only an example of the uppermost layer of foetid foam on the bucket of swill that is popular culture.
Thank you, that made my day.
June 4th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
I like the idea of a “Brainless Bandwagon” category. It’s quite fitting and also quite alliterative.