The idea that this movie adds anything original to the dramedy category is misplaced. It's more of a commonplace romance movie, with a little bit of racial relations and tensions thrown to keep it off balance. Unfortunately some of the dialog to try to keep it off-balance as well as situations are not well presented, unrealistic, and distasteful. For instance, when the David character gets belittled in several scenarios during conversations and introductions at the night club or in the back-yard - the script is contradicting it's general edict of "colorblind" love (itself actually a flawed premise). Likewise, some of the Kenya's character's work-place friction are obviously intentionally overblown. (spoiler) Or when David goes about discussing how he's not against talking about race, but retorts "he's black?!" in a heated conversation. There is too much of that contrived dialog. It's phony and not based in reality. Not to say the movie is awful - it's not. It has some good, albeit clichéd, things to say about following your heart, and the lead actress Sanaa Lathan has a great presence on the movie, dwarfing mostly the rest of the cast. Worthy of a look if you like the romantic comedies to judge for yourself. 6/10

Something New is a movie that deals with bias, stereotypes and personal hang-ups when dealing with interracial relationships. Kenya (Sanaa Latham) stepped outside of her personal box by ignoring society and the barriers that define interracial relationships, to find her own happiness with her love interest Brian (Simon Baker). "I just want a good brother. He doesn't have to make a lot of money, so long as he's got a job. He has to be college educated and not crazy. No kids, good teeth and no kinky sex." This statement suggests that Kenya set the bar very high when looking for a love interest and was afraid to take risk.Her list consists of perceived notions that stems from bias and personal hang-ups; having these feelings may prevent love from happening. Throughout the film Kenya and her girlfriends talk about many intense emotions involved in finding love and happiness in today's society. Professional black women looking for love often having an ideal of their perfect black man, while being afraid of taking risk to find love outside one's culture. I think that Kenya thought that finding her ideal black man Michael (Blair Underwood) was the answer to her relationship woos. Kenya was surprised that a successful black man actually fit into her perceived notions of an ideal black man. However,Kenya quickly realized he wasn't the right man for her. She came to the conclusion that what you want and what you need are two different things. Being in the relationship with Michael helped her to realize she was missing a true connection that she found with Brian. Kenya realized that opening herself up to something new would bring happiness and true love. I think this movie made many points about the difficulties black women have in finding true love while fitting into society's views on interracial dating. The cast did an excellent job displaying the emotions and confusion one experiences when dating, and the views of family and friends. I wish director Sanna Hamri, would have talked about the feelings of interracial dating from the viewpoint of Brian's family and friend's. It would have been great to know the thoughts and emotions from the people in his life were similar, unlike the movie "Zebra Head" which dealt with the racial feeling and biases of both families. The harsh reality of society and being a teenager in an interracial relationship was also discussed. In conclusion I believe this was a great movie, capturing a beautiful love connection between two people who overcame the odds and who dealt with their personal insecurities. The director made the movie very light and whimsical. As the main character progressed through the movie, her dress style and attitude changed. This film's story was a great message of overcoming biases, and finding a love better than any list could provide.

Very charming movie. I loved all the "natural" acting talent that each character displayed. As Kenya's father tells her, "The boy isn't a Martian, he's just white." He goes on to bring out the main point of this film which is that we're all mixed up no matter race, color, etc. One of the black male characters even says, "It's not about color, it's about the love connection between a man and a woman." A-men! I adore this film. There should be more like it. Every racial point was hit upon too. In one scene, Brian says, "I just need a night off." Later, he realizes that most blacks don't get a night off, and that he should be there to hear her complaints. What is a soul-mate if we cannot share our woes and joys with him/her?

Definitely a film for all mixed race couples to watch...full of emotion and a great movie to watch. It goes through the tough times of a couple - one of them is white, one of them is black. It goes through how their family and friends react, how they deal with such reactions but how their hearts react too. Due to the tensions that still exist between whites and blacks, especially in America, this movie is a complete icebreaker and it teaches that it isn't race that matters in a relationship or what anyone thinks, but love. It has an interesting ending and perfect for a night in with the ice cream. Definitely one of the better romance films of 2006.