NEW YORK -- Chris Noth is back in the big leagues.
He returns as Carrie Bradshaw's sexy, sardonic boyfriend Mr. Big in "Sex and the City: The Movie." Big fits Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) like a shoe, but in the film, he gives her plenty of blisters. "It's not a Cinderella story. This is much more based in reality. It's not trying to throw sparkles in your eyes. In fact, sometimes you get a mud pie in your face," Noth says. "It's an adult movie."
When he first read writer/director Michael Patrick King's script and realized what Big's story arc was, "I was like, "Oh boy.' Where you think there's no redemption, there can be no forgiveness, he takes you on the journey of forgiveness. That journey is a great journey," Noth says.
Being back on screen with Parker four years after the series ended "was like a great reunion," he says. "I'm terribly fond of her."
He was doing NBC's "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" at the same time.
"So it was a little more arduous for me," says Noth, 53. "She loved to joke about that. "What morgue did you come from?' I'd call her from these sets in the South Bronx because, let's face it, the environment in "Sex and the City" was a lot more pleasant. 'I'm back at the prison -- where are you?' "
Noth is a bit in awe of Parker. "She has always had the energy for anything," he says. "Bring it on! More pressure, more hours, let's go! I'm more like, "I'm here, get a coffee.' "
And, he says, "I think she's more beautiful. I really do. Motherhood suits her. She glows."
James Wilkie, Parker's son with husband Mathew Broderick, is 5. Noth might be impressed partly because he's just getting started in the role of parent. His son, Orion, with girlfriend Tara Wilson, was born in January. Noth says he has become a deft diaper changer. He proudly shows off a picture of his son on his cellphone and mulls whether the couple should raise him on the East or West Coast.
"I've got to get a bigger apartment out here now. I have to decide eventually where we'll live," Noth says. "Sarah loves raising her kid here -- she swears by it. I just feel like kids grow up too fast here, but suburbs are no answer." Next month, Noth starts shooting the romantic comedy "My One and Only" opposite Renee Zellweger. And he's developing a miniseries for AMC about photojournalists during the Vietnam War.
"My ear is open for any kind of good writing," Noth says. "The older I get, the more I feel out of touch with mainstream entertainment. That's why I feel very lucky to be doing ("Sex and the City")."
In "the City," it's a man's world, too
Jason Lewis, 36
Plays: Samantha's hot younger boyfriend, TV star Smith Jerrod. Reprising the role "was so amazing. I am a huge fan of the people I got to work with. When you have something like that, you're just happy to show up," Lewis says.
In real life: The former model dated actress Rosario Dawson. And he was mobbed by adoring female fans at the premiere's after-party. "What do I see of myself in him⢠All the good stuff and none of the bad," Lewis says.
David Eigenberg, 44
Plays: Steve Brady, Miranda's adoring husband who throws her a major relationship curveball. He's the show's mushy, warmhearted softie. For Eigenberg, the best part of being Steve again was "just looking at the character again. He's an amazing guy."
In real life: He's not as much of a nice guy as Steve. "I'm a cold-hearted bastard," Eigenberg says with a laugh. "Ask my wife."
Evan Handler, 47
Plays: Charlotte's divorce-lawyer husband Harry Goldenblatt. Stepping into Harry's corporate getups again felt "itchy and tight. All those ties. Although, this time around, I got to wear nicer suits," Handler says.
In real life: The leukemia survivor and author of the memoirs "Time on Fire" and "It's Only Temporary" appears on Showtime's "Californication." He's married to Elisa Atti and is the father of Sofia, 1. Harry, says Handler, "looks an awful lot like me, except I'm slimmer." If there's a sequel, Handler has a suggestion. "I'd like Charlotte and Harry to go to Australia, so I can spend a few weeks filming there."
