SOMETHING NEW

US, 2006, 99 minutes, Colour.
Sanaa Lathan, Simon Baker, Earl Billilngs, Alfre Woodard, Katherine Towne, Taraji P.Henson, Mike Epps, Lee Garlington, Blair Underwood, Donald Faison.
Directed by Sanaa Hamri.

The Something New of the title is not the material of romantic comedy. In fact, the plot follows the main themes of many a romance, someone uptight, someone genial, genial breaking through the tensions, falling in love, personal difficulties, separation, finally admitting the truth, happy ever after.

The something new is the fact that this is an interracial romantic comedy. In mainstream American cinema, there was a big breakthrough in 1967 with Guess Whose Coming to Dinner. In many ways, in decades since, this is taken for granted – although, the screenplay makes a great deal about sensitivity towards racial issues.

The film also focuses on the place of women in contemporary American society. The leading lady, Sanaa Lathan, is a well educated business executive who eventually becomes partner in the firm, despite her apprehensiveness, feeling she had to fight harder than others for promotion. She is rather uptight with an academic family background – with more than a touch of superiority. The leading man, Simon Baker, is a landscape gardener, full of charm, who breaks through the tension and the couple fall in love.

Earl Billings and Alfre Woodard are the parents, Mike Epps a chef who is critical then supportive, Donald Faison is an interfering brother and Blair Underwood as a charming African- American alternative. The director originally comes from Morocco.


1. Romantic comedy? 21st-century style? Genial, tense?

2. Into racial issues, racial equality, the problems for African- Americans, for whites? Minorities and prejudice? The repercussions for the minorities? Proving themselves?

3. The black focus, the parents being in Kenya, academics, the daughter called up to the country? Kenya and her family, her friends? Being part of the African- American minority? Brian and his becoming a minority amongst the African- Americans? Mutual expectations and demands?

4. A film about women, African- American women, status, the workplace, suspicions? Their abilities, talented, frustrated?

5. King’s story, her family, her father as a doctor, his story about running away with her mother? Her mother, arrogant, academic? Her brother, the continual succession of girlfriends, his prejudices? Kenya as uptight, her good job and education, tough in the business world, having to prove herself, the client and his wariness? The boss and his encouraging her?

6. Her girlfriends, their concern, wanting her to lighten up, sex issues, arranging the blind date, meeting Brian, her initial reaction, his being white, their conversations?

7. The new house, the party, the garden landscaped, the irony of being introduced to Brian, the reaction?

8. Brian, personality, nice, past girlfriends? Advertising work, landscaping skills? Plans and design? The visit to Kenya’s house, her accepting him to do the work, his presence, the work, assistant, the reactions? His comments about her personality, time off, hiking and the effect on her, getting wet, the kiss, the sexual relationship? The effect on each other? The change in Kenya, relaxed?

9. Kenya’s brother, his continual comments, his promoting Mark, Mark and his charm, the party, wanting an apartment, asking Kenya to help, their going out, the dinner at her parents’ house?

10. The girlfriends, their personalities, encouragement? The new house, the dedication, the party, the girlfriends, her parents and their wariness about Brian? Walter and his presence, initially suspicious of Brian, his change?

11. Brian, the encounter in the supermarket, his bad mood, Kenya and her experience at work, wanting to talk, his irritation? Her cutting him off? Absence for two weeks?

12. Kenya, Mark, together, his proposals, the possibilities, her not wanting them, getting out of the car?

13. At her work, the client, his anxiety, her straight talk at the meeting, her being made partner?

14. Going to the Cotillon, the formality, her reactions? Parents and friends, the meal, her mother upset at her comments? Walter and his standing up for Brian? Her friends and helping her to understand herself?

15. The decision, leaving, admitting that she loved Brian, talking to him, the reconciliation, mutual love, the transition to the wedding?

16. Romance, the rapport between the leads, sensitivities to male-female issues, race in issues? Love?