Review: Something New



Another interracial love story..............ah yes, strong black male meets liberal Caucasian female. They break down each others social barriers, have some awkward interaction amongst the other's group of friends, encounter a glimpse of prejudice (usually by an older individual), and they transcend the pressures of their race by coming together in the name of love. Awwww! Isn't that special and predictable. Being someone who has actually been in an interracial relationship, I find it pretty insulting when Hollywood tries to make films that are "kid friendly" and dodges the serious issues. Something New actually examines the perspective of the African-American female and juxtaposes that to the Caucasian male. The result is a thoroughly refreshing take on the modern interracial romance.
The first thing that I enjoyed about the film was the fact that the African-Americans were all portrayed well. Every character was intelligent and highly successful. It was kind of nice where none of the characters spoke in a dialect that was insulting or African-Americans were relegated to the common stereotypes like being an athlete or a criminal. Seeing the successful professional African-American is a sight for sore eyes. Moreover, I was able to see the upper class African-American which was even more of a surprise.
Enter Sanaa Lathan's character, Kenya Denise McQueen, who is hoping to avoid the staggering statistic that 42.4% of African-American females have never been married. She is the epitome of the professional working woman. Its almost uncomfortable to watch how uptight she is. Her house is entirely beige and her wardrobe is definitely............lacking. Her friends set her on a blind date, but the potential suitor happens to be a Caucasian. Kenya, like most single black females, is in search for the IBM(Ideal Black Man). I have no ideal what the ideal black man is. I suppose he is personified by someone who 1. is tall 2. has a good job 3. is college educated 4. is physically fit and 5. someone who is not intimidated by an independent and successful black female. Needless to say, the blind date is with Brian Kelly (Simon Baker) who is definitely NOT the ideal or black.
The character of Brian Kelly is not the ideal black man but he definitely has some redeeming qualities. He is an architect landscaper, which lead him back to Kenya after their disastrous first encounter, and he is also pleasing to the eye. The effect he has on Kenya is profound. After a passionate encounter in the woods, Kenya decides to let her hair down......literally. Kenya actually goes through a metamorphosis, both physically and mentally. The film is very color oriented and with the evolution of the romance, so does the level of color increase.
There is a brief interlude where the relationship sours and Kenya is introduced to Mark (Blair Underwood) who is the personification of the ideal black man. He represents all of the goals that Kenya believes she wants. Another aspect about the film that I like is that it doesn't tip-toe around the inevitable questions of interracial dating. Everyone knows that there are difficulties with interracial dating, but there is a trend in cinema that tries to suspend disbelief and cover up said difficulties with nothingness. I will admit that it is not the social taboo that it once was but if you are reading this and believe that interracial relationships can exist without the slightest hint of prejudice than you are highly delusional. What the film points out is that the condition of being black or the condition of being white is just a subjective part of the human condition. People are people for the most part. We all are a pile of neuroses and quirks that help make us the people we are. The key, as the film touches on, is to try to find someone with whom it is perfectly normal to be yourself.
The movie is highly predictable but I don't think that it is necessarily a bad thing. I believe society likes to believe in love and the hope that it can transcend all bounds, even race. The perspective of the African-American female in an interracial relationship presents a new dichotomy to the American consciousness. She has to be strong enough to go after her professional goals yet be supple enough to still be a woman and not be totally restrictive. I would say the movie may help with race relations but I doubt it. Until people realize that there is only one race, the human race, then we as a society are fated to coexist as strangers in a strange land.