True, some of the reality is missing, but the movie industry is about entertainment after all. If it weren’t, would we don our feather boas, little black dresses and ridiculous shoes; shell out $10 to sit in a dark theater with our gal pals;laugh, cry, hold hands and (here’s the important part) strut back into the real world a sense of hope?

Fairy tales give us a few things. A model for which to aim, a moral to keep us somewhat grounded and hope.

I am 50 years old, married to my second prince charming who has become (suddenly) seriously ill and disabled. Happily ever-after has gone, overnight, from a comfortable retirement to being lucky enough to find a job with full medical benefits. But I do remain hopeful.

Oh, aMEN, sister! The kind of lifestyle they’re peddling doesn’t bear much of a resemblance to most people I know. It’s just for fun.

And just don’t get me started on “Desperate Housewives.” I’m not THAT desperate!

msmeta

I enjoyed Sex and the City the series and enjoyed the movie because it gave me a little more of them. Some of my sexcapades while not as frequent as theirs, did happen. I have never been able to fit stilettos (I have big feet), have never been the size that designers design for, and have always lived on a non-profit salary, yet I enjoyed the movie and the fashion just I loved The Devil Wears Prada.

It’s a movie, a fantasy, an escape. When I want realism, I watch documentaries and the news (which I do frequently). Most of us who are independent thinkers, extract from movies and books and other media that which we want and which fits in with our world view.

I wouldn’t give this or any other movie, more power than it deserves.

Now I watch as a new generation of princesses emerge–my 4 year old niece, the “Peanut” and her buddies. I think though that the princess Mommies are preparing their daughters for a life where Princess Charming can take care of herself and whatever life throws at her. And the tale continues to unfold…

Karen

I saw the movie version of SATC and it seemed the only one of the four who didn’t grow up was Samantha and I wondered why that was so until I realized she’s actually living the “cougaress” life for real with her twenty something year old boy toy. Go figure.

If you want to watch something even more pitiful, try the television “reality” show….The Real Housewives of NYC”. When I’ve watched this show, I’ve wondered if these women watch themselves and see what I see. Pitifully insecure women whose entire life is consumed with keeping up their social status, appearance, and their bodies…..at whatever costs. I wonder if they think I want to be them? If so, then let me answer that question here and now……NO NO NO NO….and Hell NO I wouldn’t want your so called life for a zillion dollars. I’ll keep my hail damaged thighs AND my facial wrinkles, thank you very much.

“Come on, Ms Meta, lighten up!

Disney didn’t invent the fairy tales or the princess promises. Their origins are deep in the folk culture of just about every society and, on the whole, are about how Good – though set about by demons – triumphs over Evil. Good is indeed often personified by the beautiful maiden whose virtue, faith, steadfastness (sometimes even cunning) is rewarded.

Surely you aren’t suggesting we should raise our daughters without fairy tales? Or without the hundreds of years of literature where fair maid wins the day? Or that it is wrong for us to enjoy these (or indeed a fantasy movie – if that’s what SATC is – I haven’t seen it) with or without our daughters?

I think we can watch fairy tale movies (including the sex) and still warn our teenagers about AIDs, and we can give our daughters and grand daughters princess dolls while teaching them, by the way we lead our lives, by our mistakes as well as by our successes, that they have choices, that choices have consequences, that in real life the good guys don’t always win but it’s always worth the try. And yes, that beauty is only skin deep. Or, as my mother used to say, Pretty is as pretty does.

But, damnit, yes, in a way 60 is the new 40, and I don’t think that has to mean anything about planning surgery or being uncomfortable the age you are – it’s the opposite! You can get older and not be a write off. There was a time when unmarried women of 25 were old maids. When women of 40 didn’t have first babies at forty, when nobody changed careers or went back to school at 50, and fit, healthy people were forced to retire at 60 or 65 whether they wanted to or not.

Now, that’s all strayed pretty far from the movie, but you’ve got to admit that while Samantha may not exactly be an example to us all, she’s pretty impressive – for her age ”