Something New (I) (2006)

Kenya McQueen, an accountant finds love in the most unexpected place when she agrees to go on a blind date with Brian Kelly, a sexy and free-spirited landscaper.

Director:

Sanaa Hamri

Writer:

Kriss Turner

Stars:

Sanaa Lathan, Fuzzy Fantabulous, Golden Brooks

3 wins & 10 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sanaa Lathan	...	Kenya Denise McQueen
Fuzzy Fantabulous	...	Himself (voice) (as DJ Fuzzy Fantabulous)
Katharine Towne	...	Leah Cahan
Stanley DeSantis	...	Jack Pino
K.C. Clyde	...	Waiter
Wendy Raquel Robinson	...	Cheryl
Golden Brooks	...	Suzette
Taraji P. Henson	...	Nedra
Marcus Brown	...	Rashid Mohammed
Russell Hornsby	...	Dr. Brockton
Simon Baker	...	Brian Kelly
Danny Wooten	...	Starbucks Employee
Mike Epps	...	Walter
Lee Garlington	...	Mrs. Cahan
Tonita Castro	...	Maria

Storyline

Kenya McQueen is a successful African-American CPA, working her way to the top of the corporate ladder -- but her life has become all work and no play. Urged on by her friends to try something new and to let go of her dream of the "ideal black man," she accepts a blind date with an architectural landscaper named Brian, only to cut the date short upon first sight, because Brian is white. The two meet again at a party, and Kenya hires Brian to landscape her new home. Over time, they hit it off, but Kenya's reservations about the acceptance their romance will find among her friends and family threatens everything. An intelligent romantic comedy that chooses to deal with issues of race and perception in a straight-forward way, from a point of view not often seen: that of a successful, upper-class black woman.

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Plot Keywords:

blind date | partner | landscaper | friend | accountant | 

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Taglines:

She had it all under control. Except her heart

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sexual references

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

29 January 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

42.4 Percent

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$4,879,736 (USA) (3 February 2006)

Gross:

$11,425,894 (USA) (3 March 2006)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gramercy Pictures (I), Homegrown Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sanaa Lathan's character, Kenya, is the daughter of Alfre Woodard's character. They share the same relationship in Love & Basketball and also in The Family That Preys.

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Goofs

When Mark and Kenya are in a restaurant, having a meal, the black window shade at their table is up. The next moment, the shade is down.

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Quotes

Cheryl: Let's go.
Kenya Denise McQueen: We just got here. You got something else to do?
Cheryl: Yes! I could be at home pleasuring myself -
[to passing guests]
Cheryl: Hello! Lovely party!

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Connections

Referenced in Tales from the Script (2009)

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Soundtracks

"Too Sweet"
Written by Malcolm Cross
Performed by Morello
Courtesy of Bumbo Songs

User Reviews

Charming Movie

I thought this was a very entertaining and charming movie to watch. If you love romantic comedies then I think you'll definitely like this movie. Sure the plot is predictable, but I had a great time laughing and relaxing while watching the movie.

Kenya McQueen (Sanaa Lathan), is a professional black woman searching for the right man. But she is faced with a dilemma that many black women are facing, the black male shortage. When Kenya meets Brian (Simon Baker) a white landscaper who agrees to do her backyard, she finds herself attracted to him and vice versa. Sparks fly between them and they fall in love. Brian shows Kenya how to loosen up; by doing this she is discovering more about herself. But Kenya has to decide on whether to go by what her friends and family say, or whether to follow her heart.

Lathan and Baker both give solid performances in this movie. The chemistry between them was pretty good, I thought. However, Kenya's girlfriends I thought were underdeveloped and a bit stereotypical, but they were funny. Donald Faison was humorous (but a little irritating) as Kenya's "playa" brother. Alfre Woodard did a good job as Kenya's mom, but she was a bit underdeveloped too. Blair Underwood was just there. I thought he gave a pretty weak performance and his character was two-dimensional and unnecessary to the plot. Then again I think that Underwood's character was there to show that there are good black men out there that will give his time and attention to the sistas.

I thought that the message of the movie was a good one. No matter what anyone else may think, it's always best to follow your heart and be with the person that makes you the happiest.