SOMETHING NEW

Though prejudice may be alive and well, sometimes race is only as important as we make it.

Something New is a thoughtful romantic comedy that somehow hints at something better than it delivers. Sanaa Lathan stars as Kenya McQueen, a corporate lawyer who has worked her way to the top of her field and is now being considered for partner. She's just bought her own house, and is successful, smart, and attractive by any standards. The only exception is that she could begin every day belting out "Somebody to Love" in her best Freddie Mercury voice. In her journey to find a soul mate, Kenya learns that she must embrace herself before she can truly commit to another person.

Our story begins when Kenya agrees to a blind date with "Brian". She and her girlfriends have decided to "let go, let flow", and she's trying to bend a few of the rules she's set for herself. Shockingly, Brian (Simon Baker) turns out to be white, and Kenya is reminded of why she has so many rules to begin with. After a very awkward introduction, she excuses herself and plans never to see Brian ever again. Kenya prefers black men, you see. It's not a prejudice, it's a preference, but fate has other plans.

When Kenya admires the landscaping at a fancy party, the hostess is quick to introduce her to the landscape architect. Lo and behold, what do you know, it's Brian! He's just the person to transform her scary, overgrown yard into a lovely suburban sanctuary. "I take hard earth and make things bloom," he says, and you get the distinct impression he's talking about more than plants.

Though Kenya continues to act chilly toward Brian, his easy-going kindness never wavers, and he slowly drags her out of her shell. When his Golden Retriever arrives at her door she is quick to explain, "I don't do dogs."

"Neither do I," says Brian, "We're just good friends."

He is utterly unfazed by her rules, her disdain, and her uptight facade. Brian likes Kenya, and he'll do whatever he can to make her like herself. We watch as he takes her on a hike, convinces her to add color to her all-beige home, and suggests that she trade in her weave for her natural hair. Though reluctant to give in, Kenya slowly learns that the rules she's been living by aren't entirely her own. Most have been laid down by her parents and friends, and most are pretty superficial. There are all sorts of expectations about race, class, and what it means to be a successful black woman, but what does Kenya think?

As Brian encourages Kenya to branch out, she realizes that she enjoys being more spontaneous, and more than anything, she likes thinking for herself. Unfortunately the pressure of being a biracial couple eventually comes to a boiling point, and Brian and Kenya go their separate ways. Kenya then meets the perfect black man (Blair Underwood), only to discover that perfect may not be what she's after. Mr. Perfect is just like she is, and as they sit in silence, typing on their respective laptops, he says, "This is nice, right?" Um, yeah. Nice, but stifling.

Something New is itself a nice movie. As Blair Underwood promises in his introduction, the film does raise thought-provoking issues in a reasonably entertaining way. Kenya is a well-developed character, and it's good to see her taking charge of her own life, taking risks, and reaping the rewards. Brian is equally likable, but he never overshadows our female lead. Together they prove that though prejudice may be alive and well, sometimes race is only as important as we make it.

Unfortunately, the film never rises above the mundane events of daily life, and it feels more like a made-for-television movie than a feature film. Some of the characters are exaggerated and one-dimensional i.e. Kenya's mother and brother (Alfre Woodard and Mike Epps) and the gaggle of giggly girlfriends that seem completely incompatible with our sophisticated heroine. The plot is fairly predictable, and ultimately so controlled, so careful to cover every base, that it becomes didactic and rings rather flat. The film's equal measure of good and bad qualities leave it smack in the middle of the pie scale - a solid effort that doesn't quite make the mark.

DVD NOTES

If you're still longing for more at the end of Something New, check out the extra features. If you're longing for more of the movie, you're all set with "The Making of Something New". If you're hoping to land your own soul mate, go with "The Dos and Don'ts of Dating". Either way, they've got you covered.