Movie Review: Something New

Something New: Torgo approves

This movie is aimed at women. I don't mean that in a derogatory way. It's written, directed, and produced by women. It stars women and eye-candy men. That's all well and good. My only problem with its focus is how generally unlikable Sanaa Lathan's character is.

She's the successful, snobbish businesswoman who gets set up on a blind date with Simon Baker. Only, she's black and he's white and she's not interested in dating a white guy. But he's immediately interested in her and continues to pursue her until she overcomes her reluctance and falls in love with him.

It's a perfectly solid movie. Simon Baker is very good. Alfre Woodard is excellent. Blair Underwood is very good. Turk from Scrubs is great as Turk from Scrubs as a lawyer instead of a doctor.

There was just no way I could see Simon Baker's character being so smitten with Sanaa Lathan. She's hot, sure. She was hot in Love & Basketball (where Alfre Woodard again played her mother). But she's also really unpleasant.

The movie is told from her point of view, so this is less problematic than it seems, it just bugged me.

There are also a few "Crash" moments, where the dialogue on racism is forced and wooden, but never as badly as it was in "Crash," thank god, and this movie is, ultimatley, a romantic comedy. And as a romantic comedy, it's pretty good.

I also have trouble not recommending a mostly good movie where the black woman gives up on Blair Underwood for the white guy. I'm inclined to favor a movie like that.