MOVIE REVIEW: "Something New" 2006 by @KEVINFERERE

I've glanced at this movie in the past. I accepted it as a peculiar romance flick with a dynamic spin on race and interracial dating never before portrayed in a big-time box office setting. Yet I wrote it off as another romance flick.

THEN CAME THE INTERNET...

All this YouTube hoop-la about angry black women, black men dating outside their race, problems in the black community, etcetera, ETCETERA! Wheeeew!!! It's a wonder how I survived.

What made this newfound era in social enlightenment so scary was that I began to see, and have seen, everything these Internet speakers were calling out first hand. I came to grips with my new reality and made a spiritual effort to rearrange the class of people I encountered and associated with over the course of years.

Now you may ask, "what does all this have to do with the freakin' movie???" Aha! The plot thickens! In lieu of my social reassessment, I was drawn BACK to this movie as a means of therapeutic refreshment, and analytical entertainment.

Whoever wrote this movie DAMN SURE did their homework. Interracial dating is such a touchy issue, simply because its not a racial issue, but A SOCIAL ISSUE. Like I've been saying for years...THE ONLY COLOR THAT MATTERS IS GREEN.

The movie portrays an overachieving, corporately occupational woman who happens to be black, and finds love in an unexpected, unfamiliar package. She is brought out of her element, out of her comfort zone, and out of her class; in order to find what love truly is and not just mating. Initially she rejects the man for his unfamiliarity and later rejects him again for her false sense of ideals. She is then forced to weed out the world, flake off her image, and find herself, just to find her way back to him.

(Now can you see why I had to watch it a second time with a different pair of eyes?)

The movie displays "a different type of racism" with a sort of "reverse discrimination". Whereas, the group of people historically oppressed, socially segregate their own community, down to its most foundational root, being dating (as in dating being the beginning of family). Any "outside entrance" into this community is perceived as awkward, suspicious, and threatening. Which is the flack the man got in the film for "dating a black woman". The woman's social circle had influence on her decisions in the beginning, being as that she relied upon her image and status within her community for the sake of her self esteem. When encountered by this man, "from the outside", her image was challenged. Hence, challenging her self-esteem; even as much as challenging her choice of hair care. Yet, love covers all, right?

THE ACTORS

• Sanaa Lathan - The protagonist of the film.  Doesn't do much for comedy, nor does her counterpart in the film.  But they definitely engage starkingly well in scenes of drama and romance.  I perceive those to be Sanaa's strengths as an actress which would be why she was carefully chosen for this role as opposed to the other females in the film.  However, I do feel Taraji could've held her own as well.
• Simon Baker - I fell in love with this actor on the TV show the Mentalist.  Then again when he did Margin Call (2011).  He has a peculiar acting style that tends to lure you in, without so much animation and facial gestures.  Yeah...he's good.
• Taraji P Henson, Wendy Raquel Robinson, & Golden Brooks - Anyone of us in the black community are all too familiar with the "girlfriends" buzzing in your woman's ear.  They were the Devil/Angel on your right and left shoulder advocates of the film.  They called out discrepancies, issued relentless unsolicited advice, and instigated to the ends of the earth.  But hey, that's what friends are for! lol
• Mike Epps - It's always weird seeing a comedian get serious in a role.  But Mike kept up the funny.  His role was a different type of advocate, concerning the "outsider" I discussed above.  Very poignant.
• Donald Faison - He's funnier than he gets credit for.  Well, I guess he gets alot of credit 'cause he always has work.  Well ok.  He's good.

This movie can't cover all the issues in the black dating community...BY A LONG SHOT.  One of the reasons I wrote it off as still just another romance flick is the "happily ever after" (NO SPOILERS).  Yet the message is clear cut, and precise.  If you cut a man, he shall bleed; and he will bleed only one color...red.  Go see this film, if you haven't already.  Take notes if you have to.  ;)

Here's the trailer >>> http://www.totaleclips.com/Player/Bounce.aspx?eclipid=e26510&bitrateid=461&vendorid=102&type=.mp4

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