Something New

Posted by Tara Settembre (tara@filmschoolrejects.com) on June 15, 2006

Something New, is a romantic comedy with heart, honesty and substance, but isn’t all hearts and flowers.

The film centers on Kenya Denise McQueen (Sanaa Lathan) who almost has every aspect of her life in order including the purchase of a new house, supportive friends, family and a prestigious job at a top accounting firm, all except when it comes to finding order in areas of the heart.

At the start of the film she hasn’t found that special someone yet due to family pressure of finding someone who is socially acceptable in her upper class life, combined with her own long list of requirements for the type of man she wants to marry and she’s not having much luck finding someone who fits the bill. She’s especially dispirited after hearing that over 42% of African American women never marry and impulsively agrees to a blind date with Brian Kelly (Simon Baker), a sexy, free-spirited landscape architect, who isn’t exactly what she pictured for herself especially the fact that he’s white. While not the man she had in mind for romance, she hires him to fix up the yard of her new house and finds herself irresistibly drawn to his earthy, laid-back charm and pursuit. The two enter into a romance that she tries to keep a secret due to the fact that they are an interracial couple and because it seems everyone including her girlfriend has an opinion about the relationship. Her socially prominent parents Joyce and Edmond (Alfre Woodard of Desperate Housewives and Earl Billings) make things especially uncomfortable for the pair as does her outraged womanizing younger brother Nelson played by Scrubs and Clueless star Donald Faison.

And when Kenya finally meets her theoretical perfect match, corporate attorney Mark (Blair Underwood), she is further thrown into confusion and re-questioning her list and whether it’s based on love or conformity. Ultimately, Kenya must decide between the relationship everyone expects her to have and the romance she didn’t expect.

Kenya is so uptight at first and Brian so laid back that you wonder if it’s race that’s in the way of them having a successful relationship or their varying personalities, but eventually it’s the contrast that compliments each other and brings them together. The character of Brian is also extremely understanding, patient and romantic that you can’t help but get annoyed at Kenya for not realizing it sooner.

I originally remember seeing the ads for the film at theaters and found the humor and subject intriguing from the clips, but its limited release and star power kept me from shelling out a theater ticket price. Overall the film does a good job of bringing up social stereotypes around interracial dating, which at times its frankness can make things uncomfortable but is handled very honestly. I was skeptical at first because given the plot it could have been clich©, and maybe it is in some scenes, but I don’t think the film was trying to make a huge statement or anything. It is a charming romantic comedy and a story of self discovery and it is what it is.

In regards to cinematography I was very impressed with the soft hues, coloring and stylish shots. The camera pans in circular gliding motions instead of just being a stationary window, thus providing the film with its own suave style.

The DVD also starts off with an introduction from an enthusiastic Blair Underwood who addresses the viewer about how they are excited to bring you Something New, which I found refreshing and his excitement for the film a bit contagious. I also found the DVD menu to be aesthetically pleasing. And for a film that didn’t do too exceptionally at theaters due to being overshadowed by other more popular films, this DVD includes its share of extras that are not usually found on hits even. Featurette’s include “The Making of Something New” and “The Do’s and Don’ts of Dating,” which includes the cast’s thoughts on dating and their advice and past horrors.

The Upside: It’s like a modern Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner mixed with a romantic comedy that’s well acted and not run-of-the-mill.

The Downside: A little bit longer than need be and at times frustrating.

On the Side: If you let your DVD run until the end of the Making of Section featurette, after the credits, the cast introduces each other and at the end Wendy Raquel Robinson thanks you for buying the DVD and not bootlegging. It’s funny.

Breaking Down the DVD:
The Film: B
The Delivery: B+
The Extras: B

Final Grade: B

TRAILER
Something New IMDb Info Page

Read more articles by Tara Settembre