In the trailer Lily (Charlotte’s daughter) asks “Like in Jasmine and Aladdin?” to which Carrie replies “Yes sweetie, but with cocktails” and that is exactly what SATC2 is. A fairytale. Disney for adults. And it always has been. The criticism that it’s misplaced decadence in a time of frugality misses the point. For most of us Sex and the City has always been like window shopping, looking at all the things we can never hope to afford, recession or no recession. The first shot of Carrie’s gorgeous gold glitter Louboutin’s received an intake of breath and a sense of longing. Let’s face it, until she married Big even Carrie’s wardrobe and credit card abuse was enough to leave her bankrupt before the end of the first series. Unlike her three co-stars with believably affluent jobs and/or lives, as a newspaper columnist she wasn’t earning enough to keep herself in the manner to which she was accustomed.

SATC has never lived in reality. This sequel may not have had quite the heart wrenching scenes of the first one, but there was comedy. And, for some, echoes of reality — with amazing and sometimes “interesting” outfits. The women might now be in their forties and fifties, but having been a single girl for pretty much all of my twenties I have seen friends struggle with the different challenges in this movie; settling down to marriage, juggling children and coming to hate a job they once loved. I found the drama of the jilted bride in the first movie much further removed from real life than than Samantha trying to deal with menopause in the second.

For over two hours I was whisked away on a fabulous daydream. I giggled. I looked on in awe. And, without apology, I enjoyed it. We let children watch Sleeping Beauty and Snow White. Movies about two young impressionable girls, asleep, powerless, waiting for the kiss of their one true love, who will then whisk them away, with no consultation, to a happily ever after? I think they’re far more ripe for scrutiny than a romp in Abu Dhabi in fabulous outfits, where a rich man has paid for a mere week away, on Samantha’s terms, before they return to their “real” lives in New York.

Sex and the City has been the voice of many taboos. It’s also been shallow and decadent. This film isn’t made for a critical audience. Hate Sex and the City? Well I can say without a shadow of a doubt you shouldn’t waste your time and money seeing this film. Love Sex and the City? Sit back and enjoy the ride.

This is one of the ways Twitter comes in handy (another way is moaning about nPower, but more of that another time!) Rather than make the decision for myself I just narrow down the options and then ask the opinion of others. I did this for the first time a few weeks ago and thanks to that I finally watched ‘The Green Mile’. It has been on my must see movie list since it came out and it’s one of those movies that seems to provoke gasps if you admit to having not watched it. Especially when you add that the DVD has been sat on your shelf for a couple of years.

Last night I did it again, although admittedly slightly more high tech than just asking the question I set up a poll. This time the result was ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ which was as enjoyable as the reviews lead to believe, whilst being not what I expected at all!

Contrary to popular belief I quite enjoy letting other people make decisions (some of the time!). I think I might have a weekly poll and try to make it through my unwatched film collection by the end of the year!

It’s always worrying when I get distant from my writing. Some past projects have evaporated completely. But this one I have been so excited about, unlike anything before. Being ill has been a blip and although on occasion it’s felt like a fight with my concentration I am determined to get to the end.

Whilst my body still needs to rest and recover, it’s nice to have some brain action back and write again. My train of thought isn’t so keen on complying with a linear route. It can often be found meandering to a chapter far in the distance, before I’ve understood exactly how I will get there. Yesterday I wanted to get the story out from start to finish so when I jump about I have a bit of context about the place I land.

In developing the story I’ve found myself imagining how it would play out as a film. Three songs have established themselves as the beginning (the prologue), the middle and the end.

Yesterday I had to fit the pieces in between. How does A get to B? What happened in the past that meant B became C? How does history reveal itself? Like an irritating toddler I asked myself “why?” repetitively.

The writing will start again shortly (as will the copious tea drinking), but I’m hoping that some of the decisions over the past 24 hours will give me the confidence to put out a synopsis to you guys in the next couple of weeks. In the meantime you can listen to the songs are helping to keep this story going!

Beginning (Dreaming of You – The Coral)
Middle (You and Me – Lifehouse)
End (Drops of Jupiter – Train)