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Life & Arts

Funny 'Something' the perfect date flick

by SARAH TRESSLER
The Daily Cougar

Sanaa Hamri's directorial debut about a black woman's quest for true love is funny, poignant and socially and culturally savvy.

Something New raises real issues faced by interracial couples as it follows the budding relationship between Kenya McQueen (Sanaa Lathan), a respected accountant who is about to make partner at her firm, and her landscape architect, Brian (Simon Baker).

The sophisticated plot is peppered with the kind of snappy humor that made shows like Martin popular. This dynamic combination engages the audience's attention well. The crowd in the theatre alternated between laughing hysterically and verbally revealing their sensitive side with resounding choruses of "awww, how cute."

The story was written impeccably by Kriss Turner. She earned a nomination from the prestigious Writers' Guild of America Award for her work on Everybody Hates Chris, a television series narrated by comedian Chris Rock.

The film's release is perfectly timed with Valentine's Day, the day on which the movie's opening scene takes place.

Kenya spends her Valentine's Day being reminded of how lonely she is and discussing a solution to her predicament with her girlfriends. They also happen to be professional black women who are spending Valentine's Day without a love interest.

When Kenya is set up on a blind date by a co-worker, she is skeptical. When she meets the guy and he turns out to be white, she is crestfallen and rude.

Then she happens to run into him at an engagement party and things start to get more interesting. Embarrassed by her previous behavior and sorely in need of a gardener, she hires Brian to revamp the backyard at her new house. It's not long before Kenya finds herself head over heels for Brian.

The two have a great time except when their difference in ethnicity rears its head. The film ultimately poses the question: Should the color of a person's skin get in the way of a romantic relationship if the two people in it are happy?

The characters in this film are talented and convincing. The writer shows different layers of their personalities, making them memorable and believable. Guys -- your girlfriends may force you to go see this romantic comedy; you probably won't want to go.

But then you'll like it so much that you'll have to force your other friends to see it too so they don't pick on you when you start to rave about how great you thought it was.

Something NewRated: PG-13 for sexual referencesStarring: Sanaa Lathan, Simon BakerFocus FeaturesVerdict: This movie is destined to be a Valentine's Day sleeper hit, so don't pass it up.
 

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