Review of Something New (2006) by James M — 31 Jan 2008

It hurts me to give "Something New" a middle-of-the-road rating because one of my favorite actors, Donald Faison (who makes the most of his pointed role as the constantly-womanizing, commitment-challenged younger brother) is in it. But I just didn't find much to cheer about.

This movie is polished, the acting is good, and the film's biggest selling point: reversing the whole "Dinner Guest" situation, is inspired. Unfortunately, "Something New", despite working Something Old into Something Possibly Worth Watching, just can't deliver on its premise. I chalk this one up to an inconsistent script, which, while having a few moments of brilliance, could sometimes be so bad I wanted to leave the theater (the running line throughout, "Let go, let flow"? Nauseating). Worst of all, I think, is the film's earnestness. It's earnest, all right. So much so that it almost falls over, its delivery is so heavy-handed.

But if you're comfortable with sitting through a highly attractive morality lecture (many of the characters sound like they're talking directly to you), give "Something New" a chance--you may like it better than I did.