Cover (Photo: And Just Like That / HBO Max)
(Photo: And Just Like That / HBO Max)
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'Sex and the City' fans rejoiced at the premiere of the series reboot, 'And Just Like That'. But is it really as good as the original 1990s series?
Introducing: Tatler Takes, your weekend guide to movies you must watch—or not. Today, we're asking our Tatler friends about their personal takes on some of the world's most talked-about series. We ask whether they loved it or hate it; and whether we should add it to our own weekend lineups.
This week, we're catching up with Michael Patrick King and Darren Star And Just Like That. Starring original Sex and the City cast members Carrie Bradshaw and Kirstin Davis, And Just Like That is a romantic dramedy series that's been the talk of the town—especially for nostalgia seekers.
See more: 5 Underrated Movies And TV Series About Aliens And Space
A reboot of the hit 90s series, Sex and the City, And Just Like That follows the lives of Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte in their 50s. The ladies, who explored the complicated romances of life in their 30s, are now facing exciting new challenges in love, lust, and life.
Though the first season of And Just Like That has already ended, no plans have yet been revealed on the makings of a second. According to HBO Max's Chief Content Creator, Casey Bloys, the decision lies mainly with Michael Patrick King and Sarah Jessica Parker to make the call on renewal.
So is it a yes or a no from our Tatler friends? Let's find out:
1. Nikki Martel
Above (Photo: @vavsmartel / Instagram)
(Photo: @vavsmartel / Instagram)
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Did you enjoy the film? Please tell us why yes or no.
I did not enjoy watching And Just Like That at all. [In my opinion], each episode became more and more unbearable. Sex and the City—which I absolutely loved!—is one of my favourite shows and also one of the most iconic from the late 90s, so this was very unfortunate.
The show tried too hard be “woke” which took away all the fun and fabulous aspects of Sex and the City! Samantha’s absence was a game-changer, but what was more disappointing was how they made the extra effort to bash her and say they were no longer friends in the first episode. They could have just mentioned she had moved to London.
I also understand how the show wanted to portray major changes in all the characters’ lives, but immediately killing Big in the first episode was so depressing and made everything feel so off. Watching Miranda and Che was also cringe-worthy because they had zero chemistry and everything about them was so forced. It was awful to see a character like Miranda totally lose herself in this series.
What do you think needed to improve?
I am not a fan of reboots in general because more often than not, the shows do not live up to expectations. In this series, most of the storylines felt so awkward and so forced. There was nothing effortless about the show. Women in their 50’s are fabulous, yet the show made an extra effort to portray them as if they were so much older: storylines with the hip surgery, issues with gray hair, hearing aids, and trying to incorporate all sorts of ailing issues (related to age) to the storyline. They should have just let the characters embrace their age naturally and live their best lives at 50!
2. Chermaine de Guzman
Above (Photo: Chermaine de Guzman)
(Photo: Chermaine de Guzman)
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Did you enjoy the film? Please tell us why yes or no.
Yes! I did enjoy watching the series. There’s nothing like it in terms of escape and entertainment. From the over-the-top fashion to the glamorous characters and all of Carrie’s scenes in fabulous hats!
If yes, what was your favourite part and why?
Carrie finding closure in Paris, scattering Big’s ashes into the Seine. It was also another iconic fashion moment for Carrie—in Valentino no less.
What do you think needed to improve?
While some new characters played charming roles, I thought some felt unfinished. I found Samantha’s role to be insignificant.
3. Kathy Huang
Above (Photo: @kdyhuang / Instagram)
(Photo: @kdyhuang / Instagram)
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Did you enjoy the film? Please tell us why yes or no.
I had never actually watched Sex and the City in its entirety and so the months leading up to And Just Like That, I watched all 6 seasons. (Unpopular opinion: Carrie was a crazy girlfriend and Big did nothing wrong). I found past Sex and the City seasons fun, and was so disappointed with And Just Like That. Everything felt so forced and contrived. Especially all the attempts at being “woke”, are absolutely cringeworthy. And wow did they do Steve dirty!
What do you think needed to improve?
A lot can be improved. I admire the step in the right direction, where the cast is inclusive of people of colour and LGBTQ+IA represented. I just wish they was a more natural and honest representation. It almost felt like caricatures. They should have just left Sex and the City alone and leave it on a high point in everyone’s memory.
