| Sex and the City 2 | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Michael Patrick King |
| Written by | Michael Patrick King |
| Based on | Characters byCandace Bushnell Sex and the City byDarren Star |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | John Thomas |
| Edited by | Michael Berenbaum |
| Music by | Aaron Zigman |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. Pictures[1] |
Release date |
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Running time | 146 minutes[2] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $95 million[3][4] |
| Box office | $294.7 million[4] |
Sex and the City 2 is a 2010 Americanromantic comedy film written, co-produced, and directed byMichael Patrick King.[5] It is the sequel to the 2008 filmSex and the City,[6] which was based on the1998–2004 HBO television series of the same name. The film starsSarah Jessica Parker,Kim Cattrall,Kristin Davis, andCynthia Nixon asCarrie,Samantha,Charlotte, andMiranda, respectively, withChris Noth reprising his role asMr. Big. The cast also includescameo appearances byLiza Minnelli,Miley Cyrus,Tim Gunn,Ron White,Omid Djalili,Penélope Cruz,Norm Lewis, andKelli O'Hara.
Sex and the City 2 was released theatrically on May 27, 2010, in the United States, and on May 28 in the United Kingdom. It received predominantly negative reviews from critics, who criticized its plot, length, character development, and portrayal of theMiddle East, which many viewed as culturally insensitive. Despite the critical reception, the film was commercially successful, grossing $294.7 million worldwide against a production budget of $95 million.
A follow-up television series,And Just Like That..., premiered onHBO Max in 2021.
Carrie,Samantha,Charlotte, andMiranda reunite to attend the wedding of their friends Stanford and Anthony. Three of the four women are now married, with Samantha remaining single at 52 and managing the effects ofmenopause while trying to maintain herlibido.
InNew York City, Miranda becomes increasingly frustrated at herlaw firm and ultimately resigns after repeated disrespect from the new managing partner. Charlotte, now astay-at-home mother to daughters Lily and Rose, feels overwhelmed by parenting and grows concerned that her husband, Harry, may be attracted to their young Irishnanny, Erin. Carrie and Mr. Big have settled into married life but differ on how to spend their leisure time. Carrie enjoys socializing and going out, while Big prefers staying in and watching television.
For their anniversary, Carrie gives Big a vintage engravedRolex. In return, he installs a television in their bedroom, suggesting they watch old movies together, which Carrie interprets as impersonal. Feeling unappreciated, Carrie temporarily moves back to her old apartment to write. Upon her return, Big acts more attentive and suggests she spend two days a week at her old apartment so he can unwind, which he believes will allow them to better enjoy their time together. Carrie agrees, though she fears the arrangement may create distance.
Samantha is hired to develop aPR campaign for a wealthyArab sheikh. As part of the deal, he invites her and her friends on an all-expenses-paid luxury vacation toAbu Dhabi. Miranda, no longer tied to a job, is particularly enthusiastic about the trip.
Upon arrival, Samantha's hormone supplements are confiscated due to local laws, which affects her libido. Charlotte, anxious about her marriage, struggles with being away from her children and frequently calls home. Miranda embraces the new cultural environment, and Carrie befriends Gaurau, her hotel’s butler, who is an underpaid temporary worker from India. He warns her to be cautious of men trying to take advantage of tourists.
While exploring a localsouq, Carrie unexpectedly runs into her former fiancé, Aidan. They agree to meet for dinner, during which they reconnect and reminisce. Their evening ends with a kiss, after which Carrie quickly leaves, conflicted. Back at the hotel, she discusses the incident with Miranda and Charlotte. She decides to tell Big, despite Samantha’s advice to wait. Big reacts coolly and ends the call abruptly.
The women's Western habits increasingly clash with local customs. Samantha, in particular, causes controversy when shepublicly displays affection toward a Danish architect she meets, leading to her arrest. The situation is resolved through the sheikh’s intervention, but the group is asked to leave the country early to avoid further scandal.
Carrie returns to New York to find the bedroom television gone and Big absent. He later returns and presents her with a black diamond engagement ring, symbolizing her uniqueness. The two reconcile and agree to continue balancing their personal needs within their marriage.
Charlotte discovers that Erin is a lesbian, easing her earlier concerns. Miranda accepts a new position at a more inclusive and respectful law firm. Samantha remains true to herself, meeting the Danish architect again for a rendezvous inThe Hamptons.
Following months of speculation, the cast confirmed in February 2009 that a sequel toSex and the City was in development. Filming officially began in August 2009.
Writer and directorMichael Patrick King noted that the sequel would differ in tone and scope fromthe first film, incorporating more exotic locations and larger-scale escapism. He attributed this change to his experiences promoting the original film in international markets and to a desire to create a story offering fantasy and glamour during theglobal recession—citing the escapist comedies of the 1930s as an influence.[1]Abu Dhabi was selected as a central location due to its reputation forhigh fashion and relative economic resilience during the recession. However, filming permission in the United Arab Emirates was ultimately denied.[1]
All four lead actresses—Sarah Jessica Parker,Cynthia Nixon,Kristin Davis, andKim Cattrall—returned for the sequel, along withChris Noth asMr. Big.[7] Several supporting cast members from the series and first film also reprised their roles, includingEvan Handler as Harry Goldenblatt,David Eigenberg as Steve Brady,John Corbett as Aidan Shaw,Willie Garson as Stanford Blatch, andMario Cantone as Anthony Marentino. King returned as writer and director, andPatricia Field again oversaw costume design, with hats byPrudence Millinery forVivienne Westwood.
Entertainment Weekly reported the production budget as $95 million—$30 million more than the first film—with Sarah Jessica Parker receiving $15 million plus residuals for her dual role as producer and lead actress.[8][9]
Filming inNew York City was delayed until late July 2009 due to the denial of filming permits by Emirati authorities. As a result, theAbu Dhabi scenes were instead shot inMorocco.[10][11] Principal photography began on September 1, 2009, and continued through the end of the year.
The Moroccan shoot took place in various locations, including the seaside town ofSidi Kaouki. Originally planned for 13 days, the shoot extended to nearly six weeks. All four main actresses, along with other cast and crew members, were photographed on location in November 2009.[12][13]
In September 2009,Liza Minnelli confirmed her cameo appearance in the film. WhileBette Midler was photographed on set, she does not appear in the final cut.Penélope Cruz appears briefly in a scene as Carmen, a banker.[14]Miley Cyrus also appears in a cameo, sharing a red carpet scene with Samantha while wearing the same outfit. Photos from the shoot were published online in October 2009.[15]
John Corbett, who portrayed Aidan Shaw in the television series and first film, was photographed on location in Morocco, confirming his return in the sequel.[16]
Promotional efforts forSex and the City 2 began in December 2009 with the release of the officialteaser poster, which featuredCarrie Bradshaw in a white dress and gold sunglasses reflecting a Moroccan backdrop. The poster included the tagline "Carrie On," echoing the wordplay of "Get Carried Away" used in the marketing campaign for the first film.[17] The same imagery and tagline were incorporated into the official website, which launched simultaneously.
The teaser trailer was released online on December 22, 2009.[18] In March 2010,Sarah Jessica Parker,Cynthia Nixon, andKristin Davis attended ShoWest 2010 inLas Vegas to debut the full-length trailer and participate in a promotional discussion about the film.Kim Cattrall, who was performing on stage in London’sWest End at the time, joined the promotional campaign after her run concluded on May 3.
Thefull theatrical trailer premiered onEntertainment Tonight and online on April 8, 2010.[19] It featuredJay-Z andAlicia Keys’ “Empire State of Mind” and “Can't Touch It” by Australian singerRicki-Lee Coulter.
A global promotional tour featuring the main cast began in early May 2010 and continued through the film’s release. The campaign included press conferences, television appearances, and international events in multiple cities. The official New York City premiere was held on May 24, 2010.
Sex and the City 2 was released in 3,445 theaters across North America on May 27, 2010, marking one of the widest openings for an R-rated romantic comedy.[20] It earned $3 million from its midnight screenings in 2,000 locations. On its opening day, the film grossed $14.2 million, initially projecting a $60 million four-day total and up to $75 million across the five-dayMemorial Day weekend.[21][22] Ultimately, the film debuted in second place behindShrek Forever After, earning $31 million over the traditional three-day weekend and $45.2 million over four days. Its five-day Memorial Day total reached $51 million.
Internationally, the film topped box office charts in several major markets, including Germany for five consecutive weeks, the United Kingdom for three weeks, and Australia for two weeks. It also surpassed the performance of the original film in territories such as Japan and Greece. In multiple markets, the sequel sold more tickets than its predecessor.[citation needed]
As of August 19, 2010, the film had grossed $95.3 million in the United States and Canada, with an additional $199.3 million from international markets, bringing its worldwide total to $294.7 million.[4] Although this was approximately 27% lower than the global earnings of the first film,Sex and the City 2 was the highest-grossing romantic comedy of 2010.[23]
Sex and the City 2 received overwhelmingly negative reviews from critics. On thereview aggregatorRotten Tomatoes,Sex and the City 2 holds an approval rating of 16% based on 217 reviews, with an average rating of 3.9/10. In comparison, the first film scored 49% based on 183 reviews, with an average rating of 5.7/10.[24] The critical consensus reads: "Straining under a thin plot stretched to its limit by a bloated running time,Sex and the City 2 adds an unfortunate coda to the long-running HBO series."[25] OnMetacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 27 out of 100 based on 39 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews."[26]
The film faced widespread criticism, particularly for its depiction ofMiddle Eastern culture. Stephen Farber ofThe Hollywood Reporter described the film as "blatantlyanti-Muslim," whileHadley Freeman ofThe Guardian called the trailers "borderlineracist."[27][28] Andrew O'Hagan of theEvening Standard wrote that the film "could be the most stupid, the most racist, the most polluting and women-hating film of the year."[29]Roger Ebert awarded it one out of four stars, criticizing the characters as "flyweight bubbleheads," the narration as redundant, and the visual presentation as "arthritic."[30]
Lindy West, writing forThe Stranger, published a widely discussed review, stating that the film "takes everything that I hold dear as a woman and as a human... and rapes it to death with a stiletto that costs more than my car," further criticizing its excessive runtime and perceived lack of substance.[31][32][33] British criticMark Kermode also gave a strongly negative review, later naming it the worst film of 2010, stating he could think of nothing "more poisonous, more repugnant, more repulsive, more retrograde, more depressing thanSex and the City 2."[34][35][36]Time included it in its list of the "10 Worst Movies Based on TV Shows."[37]
In 2015, comediansTim Batt andGuy Montgomery watched the film weekly for an entire year as part of the second season of their podcastThe Worst Idea of All Time.[38]
Sex and the City 2 received seven nominations at the31st Golden Raspberry Awards, includingWorst Picture.[39] It went on to win three awards, including a jointWorst Actress award for the four “gal pals” (Parker, Cattrall, Nixon, and Davis).[40]David Eigenberg expressed interest in receiving theWorst Couple/Screen Ensemble Razzie, which was awarded to the entire cast. According to Razzies founderJohn J. B. Wilson, "[Eigenberg] said that he had never won an award of any kind and if this was what he won, he would accept it." Eigenberg then collaborated with Wilson to make a humorous acceptance video which was posted on the officialYouTube channel of the Golden Raspberry Awards.[41]
| Award | Date of the ceremony | Category | Recipients | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Movie Awards | 26 May 2010 | Vue Most Anticipated Movie of the Summer | Sex and the City 2 | Nominated | [42][43] |
| Houston Film Critics Society | 18 December 2010 | Worst Picture | Sex and the City 2 | Nominated | [44] |
| Oklahoma Film Critics Circle | 22 December 2010 | Obviously Worst Film | Won | [45] | |
| People's Choice Awards | 5 January 2011 | Favorite Comedy Movie | Nominated | [46] | |
| Alliance of Women Film Journalists | 10 January 2011 | Hall Of Shame Award | Won | [47] | |
| Sequel That Shouldn’t Have Been Made Award | Won | ||||
| Sexist Pig Award | Michael Patrick King | Nominated | |||
| Golden Raspberry Awards | 26 February 2011 | Worst Picture | Sex and the City 2 | Nominated | [40] |
| Worst Director | Michael Patrick King | Nominated | |||
| Worst Actress | Sarah Jessica Parker,Kim Cattrall,Kristin Davis, andCynthia Nixon | Won | |||
| Worst Supporting Actress | Liza Minnelli | Nominated | |||
| Worst Screenplay | Michael Patrick King | Nominated | |||
| Worst Screen Combo | The entire cast ofSex and the City 2 | Won | |||
| Worst Remake, Rip-off or Sequel | Sex and the City 2 | Won |
Sex and the City 2: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack was released on May 25, 2010, byWaterTower Music. The album features songs from and inspired by the film.
The original score was composed byAaron Zigman and performed by the Hollywood Studio Symphony. It was recorded and mixed by Dennis S. Sands and Steve Kempster. The score was orchestrated by Stephen Coleman, who also conducted, with additional orchestration by Patrick Kirst.
Sex and the City 2 was released onDVD,Blu-ray, andiTunes on October 26, 2010, in the United States,[48] where it debuted at number one on the home media sales chart, selling nearly one million copies in its first week.[49] The film was released on DVD and Blu-ray in the United Kingdom on November 29, 2010, where it also debuted atop the sales chart.[50]
In December 2016,Radar Online reported that a script for a thirdSex and the City film had been approved.[51] However, on September 28, 2017,Sarah Jessica Parker confirmed that the project would not move forward. She stated, "We had this beautiful, funny, heartbreaking, joyful, very relatable script and story. It's not just disappointing that we don't get to tell the story and have that experience, but more so for that audience that has been so vocal in wanting another movie."[52]
Reports in 2018 indicated thatKim Cattrall declined to participate in the third film after learning that the proposed plot involved killing off Mr. Big and a storyline in which her character, Samantha, receives inappropriate messages from Miranda’s teenage son, Brady.[53] In a 2019 interview, Cattrall explained her decision not to return, saying she felt she had "gone past the finish line" with the character out of love for the franchise.
The storyline originally intended for the third film was later reworked into the television seriesAnd Just Like That..., which premiered onHBO Max on December 9, 2021.[54] Cattrall did not return for the series, as previously agreed, though she made a brief cameo in the second season finale.[55] The series was renewed for a second season in March 2022, and a third season was announced in August 2023.
Warner's New Line Cinema unit co-financed "Sex and the City 2" with partner Village Roadshow Pictures for about $95 million.
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