Without giving away too much, suffice it to say that there is even poignancy in what Sarah Jessica Parker goes through as Carrie Bradshaw in the extended story line. Cynthia Nixon as Miranda also grapples with trauma of her own when her husband Steve (David Eigenberg) feels compelled to make a confession. Miranda also harbors a secret she decides to reveal to Carrie. Why do people sometimes talk too much instead of keeping hurtful things to themselves? As for Kristin Davis as Charlotte, she goes through the film cheerfully, and when the women take off for a Mexican vacation as a healing process to cheer up Carrie, there is an hilarious episode with Charlotte the butt of the humor.

Cattrall pretty much steals the film in the sex and comedy department. Her hunger for hunky men provides laughs and some stock-taking on her part. In one scene she makes sushi and lies naked with the delicacies spread over her body as she waits for her lover to come home for dinner. Cattrall has many of the best lines as well.

There’s a new ingredient in the film version. Jennifer Hudson has been cast in the fresh role of Louise, who becomes Carrie’s invaluable assistant. She is a striking presence, and Louise has dreams of her own of catching Mr. Right, which she manages to do. Hudson has flair and adds a warm note.

Chris Noth as Mr. Big comes across as a jerk in his relationship with Carrie. Big still doesn’t know what he wants and is scared to death of a permanent relationship.

The film, as one might expect, is steeped in materialism, with the women worshipping clothes, money, jewelry and all of what a young women trying to make it in New York is supposed to crave. Even when there is a momentary reach for higher values, it isn’t very convincing.