A few weeks ago, I saw the trailer for Something New and I thought I would check it out, but probably wouldn't like it. After having seen this film, I have to say I did enjoy it. This is a good date film and no matter what race you are, it is still the story of boy meets girl.
This film does follow a romantic film formula: man/woman meet and are attracted to each other, but find themselves in an awkward situation, sexual tension builds up, they find out they feel the same way for each other, somethings pulls them apart and leads to a parting of ways, finally the the dramatic make up. I think the casting of the two leads was good. Simon Baker is gorgeous and there is sizzle in Brian and Kenya's love scenes. Simon Baker as the blond, blue-eyed hunk, versus the pretty, mahogany Sanna Lathan strikes a visual contrast, in addition to the old rule opposites attract: she's uptight, he's laid back, he's comfortable with himself, she's not.
I felt the issues Kenya felt inside herself, concerning Brian were honest feelings. I'm sure those feelings can be related to by anyone who has dated outside of their race. Though this movie is a comedy, there were some bits serious of dialog I was happy to see between Brian and Kenya, particularly when Kenya brings up how she is being treated on her job by a white client. At one point Brian asks her if she is being paranoid. In another conversation about race on the job, Brian shuts her off completely and accuses her of being racist. Those moments seemed real. The movie also did a role reversal, in the fact the Brian is often the only white person in a crowd when with Kenya. You see Brian's awkwardness and the way he responds to racist comments. However, just when this movie could go deeper, you feel as if either the script was cut, or the screenwriter really wanted to get to the neat, tidy ending. It would have been nice to also see Brian's family's take on his relationship with Kenya.
One minor subplot I found interesting was the psyche of black hair. The fact that Brian request Kenya cut out her weave and wear her natural hair, while Blair Underwood's character asks her to grow it longer was interesting. So many successful black women in the media (not all) have weaves and there is still a stigma about wearing black hair in its natural state, though it isn't as bad as it used to be.
I didn't care for the portrayal Kenya's parents. I think it portrays successful blacks in a demeaning way, by suggesting they aren't in touch with being black, or you can't be black and be successful, because you are going to take on the airs of rich white people?
Visually the film is very pretty to look at and Kenya's garden is an idyllic romantic setting that amplifies the looks of the two leads and is a tribute to their love. You can also look at this as the Garden of Eden, with the lure of temptation. However, I saw the garden as the natural goodness of love that comes from a pure place. All and all I did enjoy this film, despite the few flaws.
This film does follow a romantic film formula: man/woman meet and are attracted to each other, but find themselves in an awkward situation, sexual tension builds up, they find out they feel the same way for each other, somethings pulls them apart and leads to a parting of ways, finally the the dramatic make up. I think the casting of the two leads was good. Simon Baker is gorgeous and there is sizzle in Brian and Kenya's love scenes. Simon Baker as the blond, blue-eyed hunk, versus the pretty, mahogany Sanna Lathan strikes a visual contrast, in addition to the old rule opposites attract: she's uptight, he's laid back, he's comfortable with himself, she's not.
I felt the issues Kenya felt inside herself, concerning Brian were honest feelings. I'm sure those feelings can be related to by anyone who has dated outside of their race. Though this movie is a comedy, there were some bits serious of dialog I was happy to see between Brian and Kenya, particularly when Kenya brings up how she is being treated on her job by a white client. At one point Brian asks her if she is being paranoid. In another conversation about race on the job, Brian shuts her off completely and accuses her of being racist. Those moments seemed real. The movie also did a role reversal, in the fact the Brian is often the only white person in a crowd when with Kenya. You see Brian's awkwardness and the way he responds to racist comments. However, just when this movie could go deeper, you feel as if either the script was cut, or the screenwriter really wanted to get to the neat, tidy ending. It would have been nice to also see Brian's family's take on his relationship with Kenya.
One minor subplot I found interesting was the psyche of black hair. The fact that Brian request Kenya cut out her weave and wear her natural hair, while Blair Underwood's character asks her to grow it longer was interesting. So many successful black women in the media (not all) have weaves and there is still a stigma about wearing black hair in its natural state, though it isn't as bad as it used to be.
I didn't care for the portrayal Kenya's parents. I think it portrays successful blacks in a demeaning way, by suggesting they aren't in touch with being black, or you can't be black and be successful, because you are going to take on the airs of rich white people?
Visually the film is very pretty to look at and Kenya's garden is an idyllic romantic setting that amplifies the looks of the two leads and is a tribute to their love. You can also look at this as the Garden of Eden, with the lure of temptation. However, I saw the garden as the natural goodness of love that comes from a pure place. All and all I did enjoy this film, despite the few flaws.