A Review by Phil Calabro
2006, Focus Features, Dir. Sanaa Hamri - Starring Sanaa Lathan, Simon Baker, Mike Epps, Donald Faison, Taraji P. Henson, Felicia Walker, Golden Brooks, Blair Underwood, David Monahan, John Ratzenberger, Gabriel Tigerman, Henry Simmons, Rose Rollins
I'll admit that 'Something New' is not exactly the most original concept in years past, but the film distinguishes itself from the pack in its own particular way. Another romantic comedy (if you could consider it a comedy) with racial tensions have snuck their way into theaters so recently as 2005, when the bland 'Guess Who' hit theaters in the late summer. But instead of being a mean-spirited and entirely physical flick with miminal heart in existance, 'Something New' is written and performed smoothly and intelligently. Director Sanaa Hamri creates full-based characters and establishes a concentrated environment for them to mingle within. I never felt duped with lax emotion between the individuals in conflict, as Sanaa Lathan and Simon Baker create some sizzling chemistry - proving that opposites attract. Also, Hamri does not dilute the romance with hideous stereotyping and retread racial jokes. 'Something New' is something intriguing yet simple. But cynics, beware!
Kenya McQueen (Lathan) is a professional businesswoman whose life has begun to revolve entirely around work and away from man-hunting. Men are unimportant in her life, as she has a list: a list of traits for the perfect male specimen, and not meeting up to the ranks will simply mean failure. When her friends put her on a blind date, Kenya meets Brian (Baker), a happy-go-lucky and liberated young man who runs a landscaping organization. But there's a problem: Kenya is black, and Brian is white. A clash of races is not on the list, so she turns him away at first. But when Brian is hired to landscape her revolting backyard, things begin to turn around. Slowly but surely, the two's differences are patched up as Kenya loosens up her act and Brian learns more about her. Regardless, Kenya starts to worry about how she looks with him, as her mother is fiercely against the concept and he just doesn't seem to fit in with the culture. When Kenya's mom finds her the perfect match - a monotonous lawyer with impeccable hair, Mark (Underwood) - Kenya has to make a choice. To live her former perfect life, or settle down with something new.
'Something New' is chock full of great acts. Sanaa Lathan, better known for her role in UPN's 'Girlfriends' (I know, I don't watch it either), stings the screen with the snappy performance as Kenya. She is uptight, but realistically without bringing to the point of an obsession. She is cold-hearted, but without being directly hateful. The character of Kenya is one that we've all seen in real life: a workaholic so driven by his or her career that relationships are simply ignored or unspoken of. Lathan puts a face on these people, but also fires up some incredible romance. Simon Baker is slowly becoming one of today's most versatile actors, as his role of Brian is gentle and unobtrusive. Always providing a comfort zone for the audience, Baker reduces the stress of the racial tension by making a Brian a respectable figure among the cast. Donald Faison, as Kenya's younger womanizing brother, is a gas to watch - his comic relief is a great addition. A running joke involving him and a brand new girl every time we see him gets more amusing as the show runs along.
It is important to realize that 'Something New' does not revolve around the white-black conflict, but a difference between life styles. Whereas 'Guess Who' was fueled by Bernie Mac's hatred of Ashton Kutcher, director Hamri highlights the immense contrast between the drudgish duties of Kenya and the free-flowing liberal life of Brian. The race card is whipped out every now and then, but not with any air or resentment used. The conflict between the two is coherent and logically sequenced, never with a trace of ignorance from the director. Physical action is limited, sexual situations are steamy but polite, and dialogue is king. Light also plays a strong role in 'Something New', as different hues seperate the skin tones of both love interests, but are melded when different shades of orange and pink shine upon the subjects.
'Something New' is a great alternative for this weekend, especially with Valentine's Day coming around the bend. You want a real date movie that doesn't involve shameless parodies of other date movies? You can find a home in Sanaa Hamri's directorial debut, so definitely give this feel-good a check out.
