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Something New (2006/I) More at IMDbPro »

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136 comments in total

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161 out of 199 people found the following comment useful :-
Negative "Male" Reviews, 7 February 2006

Author: Saucy-2 from USA

I was compelled to write after reading some appalling review of "Something New". First of all, let me start by saying that I do believe in freedom of speech, as well as having a personal opinion. However, hearing so many short-sided reviews of "Something New" is in my opinion one of the problems with our country.

I can't explain how offensive it is to have men insult and negatively comment on the plight of unmarried, intelligent and physically fit black women! I find it difficult to believe that they could truly relate to what it is "really" like being a woman, let alone the intricate balance of being a minority who has some intelligence and success when you are discriminated against and undermined more often than not, like in some of the reviews posted here for example.

It seemed to me that the reviews were an unsuccessful and immature defense for black men and men in general when there was no attack. I was able to fully relate to, not only the movie, but its characters because my family and friends mirror them greatly. I don't think that the movie portrayed black men as harshly as some reviews state. In fact, every man in the film has very positive aspects including Sanaa Lathan's father, her best-friend's boyfriend, and Blair Underwood's character and even though Donald Faison's character is a womanizer (which is also an accurate portrayal of some types of men); the concern and loyalty to his family is commendable.

I found the film to be refreshing and an honest look at that demographic of African-American woman of which I am a part of. Also, the odd comment that "men don't like over-weight women" and spouting percentages about over-weight women in America was ridiculous and had nothing to do with the movie! I as well as most of my friends happen to be in shape and not obese and have many of the other attribute's that the female characters had in the movie, so what is the movie supposed to say to us? What does it say about African-American men in this country that no matter how much African-American women have going for us we are still not being chosen for marriage? I think that second question more accurately covers the meaning of the film, as well as the fact that happiness can be found in a wider circumference that where we are looking for it.

I found it hopefully to think that there may be a Blair Underwood character and a Simon Baker character that could potentially be out there for me! I also found it inspiring that this movie was the first to be written, directed and starring a predominately African-American cast and yet was still distributed by a major film company.

Right now it is so important that in light of the Academy Award nominations for a film like "Hustle & Flow" where black men and women are still portraying pimps and prostitutes that we see the balance of "Something New". Both are truthful but it is nice to see something that reflects me, my life and the people in it. I think that perhaps people should look at the more positive aspects of what the film is and not what they personally think that it's "not" saying or doing.

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134 out of 161 people found the following comment useful :-
This movie was on point, 3 February 2006

Author: KJazz from United States

Geesehoward, to clarify something in your post: Sanaa's lover did not "assume" that she had a weave. It was after a night of lovemaking that he asked her about it as they lay in bed the next morning. I'm sure he was trying to run his fingers through her hair and found he was unable to.

I am a black woman who is married to a white man. I read the interview with Sanaa where she talked about living in Harlem and being terrified of holding his hand because she was afraid of the judgment. I felt as though she was writing my life story. Before we got married, my then boyfriend lived in Soho and I in Harlem. Walking around together in lower Manhattan, we got a few looks, but nothing even remotely close to the venom that was spit at us when we were together up in my neighborhood. People would stop dead in their tracks, hands on hips and say horrible things to us! And this is in the 21st Century! There were times I would actively dissuade my husband from showing me any affection in a Black environment because I didn't want the brothers to take it the wrong way and think it was an overt slap in their face-- you know, white man comes up in to the Black neighborhood to claim the Black woman while the Black man stands idly by. But after a time, I got over it. My man was just trying to love me. He was willing to take all the insults and stand by me and allow me to open myself up and let him in, so to speak. And I am so glad I did. I have been fortunate in having had positive relationships with all of the men I have dated seriously (who btw, were all Black). They all brought something special to the table. My husband just happened to come into my life at the right time when I was opening up to the idea of trying "something new". I have learned a lot from him, but he has also learned a lot from me. I think this movie did SO much in the way of allowing people to get a little more used to the idea that love comes in all shapes sizes and colors, and that it also comes with problems, depending on the type of relationship. Interracial relationships are going to always have family and societal disapproval, but guess what, everyone comes around eventually once they realized that it's not superficial, that there's true, honest love there. This is because people are just people, and if someone takes the time to get to know you, you discover all the things you have in common that have nothing to do with skin color. The moral of this extended post is this: After we had been dating for some time, my husband moved up to Harlem. Before you knew it, he was friends with everybody on the block and knew more people in my neighborhood than I did. That's because people are just afraid of what they don't know. Yes there is a lot of historical baggage attached to race in this country, but we can't keep schleping it around with us all the time, we've got to let it go, let it flow. I encourage all of you to see the movie. It was your typical predictable rom com, yes, where everything works out okay in the end, but it also has a lot to recommend it. I thought it was on point and funny and sad and all that good stuff. Go see it! (Plus it's the first studio film that's written, directed, produced and starred in by Black women!) You go ladies!

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101 out of 109 people found the following comment useful :-
Finally, a romantic comedy I can pay full admission for and not regret it later, 13 February 2006

Author: dawnwashington from United States

For about five years or better yet since I've been married, I have banned all modern day romantic comedies from my precious eyesight. Why you say? Because nine times out of ten they featured awkward pairings of big-name stars who had as much chemistry as a week old can of generic pop that was left in the refrigerator open, the plots were so insultingly predictable that you just wanted to take out a bull horn in Hollywood and yell to screenwriters and movie studios everywhere: "STOP INSULTING US BY RELYING ON YOUR FORMULAS TO MAKE YOUR MOVIES." Honestly, if I see one more chase scene to the airport to stop some chick from moving away, I'm going to blow something up, and finally romantic comedies were just plain unrealistic. I mean honestly, how many of us can believe that Jennifer Lopez, Diane Lane, and Julia Roberts are dateless. And how many women are really knocking down John Cusak's door to get a date? However, alas comes a true romantic comedy with depth, conviction, and heart. And while it did use a few formulas it did not depend on them. "Something New" features very real people, real responses, real dialogue, and most importantly real issues. I champion this movie for being groundbreaking and discussing things that no other (or few) mainstream film had the balls to tackle such as "The Black Tax," the true difference between racism and reverse racism, and Black hair culture to name a few. Don't get me wrong, THIS MOVIE IS NOT A BLACK MOVIE. It is definitely romantic and comedic at its very heart and it is something that can be appreciated by all. But I felt so much better about seeing this film when I realized that it took the time to think and bring some things to the forefront. I hate the fact that this movie was not marketed properly. What a misstep. This movie was for all because we have all had to grapple with pressures from our family, our careers, friends, and culture at one point or another and realize that being true to yourself is all that matters. Oh and by the way, the chemistry between Sanaa Lathan and Simon Baker is phenomenal! I haven't seen chemistry like that in a long, long time. The movie is worth the trip just to see that.

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81 out of 90 people found the following comment useful :-
I absolutely loved it!, 14 February 2006

Author: rutalkenme from United States

I am 51, single, and a black woman. I have seen this movie twice, once with my youngest single sister and the second time with another younger single sister. I paid full price each time and will see it for a third time with a married girlfriend. I like the subject matter and say it is about time, not just for the subject, but also that it did not portray us black sisters in a derogatory light. We can be more than hookers and gangsters and maids on the big screen. My sisters and I identify with Kenya and unfortunately, we are all in that percentage class of the unmarrieds.

It reminds me of the classic "Guess Who Is Coming to Dinner". I loved that movie too. It broke barriers. There are more relationships going on like this than we care to admit. My sisters and I would date a white man in a minute, if it was meant to be. Race isn't a preference. If we could each find one good man, he could be green and we would date him.

At the second showing, some in the audience clapped at the end, and we lingered for sometime afterwards and read all the credits. We really liked it and so much of it was true. The soundtrack is beautiful. I can't wait for the DVD and the CD soundtrack to be released. I fell "in love" with this movie. Love is more than color. The only thing that would have made me more love sick is if Brian was played by the hot and cute flavor of the day Matthew McConaughey!! I said it, yes I did!

Additional comment: Okay, I saw this movie for the third time and paid full price cause I loved it. It saddens me that this movie is not getting the PR it deserves. It's a hot topic, especially since it deals with us being seriously involved with a white man. The brothers have been doing this for years, yes years! Sisters, I say allow yourself to flip the script.

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64 out of 75 people found the following comment useful :-
I loved it!, 3 February 2006
Author: s_m_n_ from United States

I saw it first day of its release. Good story, acting, directing--- Feels real. The message I got out of it - be yourself, love who you are first, then you will be able to find love with another person. These days people are so hooked up on Looks, Sex, Material Things, etc. but what really matters in life is "inside", who you really are--- And of course, the positive message of mixed-race relationships-- I read that these type of marriages double in number for the last 10 years. Which I guess, is a good thing, as being prejiduced is not. I am European, living in NYC, and I still see that people are sensitive about mixed relationships, and not too comfortable with that. But that is changing, in the direction, the movie showed us. I also love the Soundtrack, and will buy it, as soon as its out.

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54 out of 64 people found the following comment useful :-
A Romantic Comedy with Substance, 6 February 2006

Author: kmsairam from California, USA

First off, this movie is NOT about a shortage of black men. In fact, there are plenty of black men in this movie: husbands, brothers, boyfriends, guys at Starbucks, club-goers. It just so happens that the main character Kenya, a black woman, falls in love with a white man. What's the big freakin deal?!?! To repeat, this movie is not about a shortage of black men; it never claims to be. It's a love story and one that is complicated by race. I thought the issues they had to deal with as a couple were very real, particularly Kenya's issues with her job.

I can totally relate to the Kenya character and I can easily think of 10 other black women who probably can too. This film was refreshing; it was so nice to see a smart, successful black woman as the main character of a movie. GO SEE IT!

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48 out of 53 people found the following comment useful :-
Charming Movie, 5 February 2006

Author: Salt-and-Limes from United States

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.

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53 out of 67 people found the following comment useful :-
Great Valentine Movie - Simon is hot - Sanaa is lovely, 4 February 2006

Author: bdorley from United States

I love this movie!!! What a great valentine story. My girlfriends and I laughed the whole movie through. It is a lovely, fun, serious and romantic movie all at the same time. I am totally in love with Simon Baker. He is hot. "Simon you can do my garden anytime, baby". I am glad to see that Hollywood has finally caught up to what is everyday life for the rest of us. Interracial dating is no longer a taboo nor is it 'sometinhg new.' Blacks and whites have been dating and getting married in America since the sixties. I'm just glad to see that Hollywood is big enough to show that black women are just as desirable as women of other races. Great job Sanaa and Simon. You two did a wonderful job making the relationship seem real. There was a natural on-screen chemistry between the two of you that made the movie believable and enjoyable. Sanaa is lovely in the film. I hope she gets the recognition she deserves in Hollywood. Peace...Bindu

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60 out of 89 people found the following comment useful :-
I loved it and can't wait for the DVD, 30 January 2006

Author: aniesha from United States

I thought that this movie was great. I saw the sneak preview this Sunday. It was a wonderful movie, but moreso it was believable. It felt like me years ago when I met my husband who is white. I was like I'd be damned if I would go out with him...Yeah he is nice, but he's white and I couldn't possibly like him. Better yet what does he know about being with a sista. Simon Baker's character seen real too, really cared about Sanaa's character, Kenya and realized what he could and couldn't offer in terms of being in a relationship with Kenya. The friends that Kenya had in the movie were funny and real. It was a wonderful movie. I know that I said that already but I would really recommend it. It is not often when you see an interracial relationship movie with a Black/African American woman and a white man that has a moving realistic storyline. Guess Who with Zoe Saldana and Aston Kutcher sucked. It was not funny and unrealistic. So anyway go see the movie!!! I LOVED IT!!!

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26 out of 30 people found the following comment useful :-
One of the best romantic comedies I've seen, 23 February 2006

Author: mskilah_2000 from United States

I was told in advance not to see this movie so I hesitated. However, I saw the picture anyway and was disappointed. This film did not get the press it deserved. If you are into romantic comedies with a twist this movie is for you. I loved this film. The casting was perfect. The acting was believable and the chemistry was intense. Sanaa Lathan and Simon Baker does a beautiful job in this film. It was a real story that I could relate to and it was brought out with unique yet beautiful cinematography. This is a mature more sophisticated story on interracial dating than prior films put out there. If I was not laughing, I was smiling through out the entire film. One of the best romantic comedies I've seen in a long time. Bravo

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