Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Something New (Movie)
Having seen "Something New" several times, I intially took it at face value as a romantic comedy. However, after thinking back on the movie in relation to gender roles and stereotypes, I have noticed a few things. First, although Sanaa's character was Ivy-league educated had an amazing job, and owned her own home, her life was still made to seem seemingly incomplete because she did not have a man. As a result, her mother was determined to bring fulfillment to her daughter's life by attempting to set her up. In contrast, Sanaa's brother who dated several different women throughout the movie was not portrayed as one who lacked fulfillment in his life. His indecisveness was not questioned rather taken as harmless dating. In addition, I also noticed the class and racial differences within the movie. For example, the man Sanaa is pursuing is a white landscaper. Although he owns his business, the movie suggests that he is by no means rich. In contrast, Blair Underwood's character is a wealthy, African-American male. At the end of the movie, Sanaa's character ultimately ends up with the white landscaper. In the movie, Sanaa chooses love rather than appearances. I wonder though, if the color lines were shifted, and Blair Underwood was the landscaper, would he have even stood a chance at winning Sanaa's heart?
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2 comments:
That's a very good point about the reversed SES. I think the mother would have been uncomfortable with the idea of her daughter "carrying" an African American male...but is that really a bad thing considering her disapproval of Kenya choosing the white landscapper while she emphasized his lack of solid financial stability as well? In this case, is the mother wrong for wanting her daughter to be with a man that is as established and "successful" as her daughter to secure a "stable" lifestyle? Again, I am wondering how the mother would feel but in all actuality it is truly important to recognize the wants of Kenya and leave the outside opinions to just that and nothing more.
I think the issue in "Something New" goes deeper than the white black issue. I see in the movie the perpetuation of women not knowing what they want. She discovers herself when she meets the landscaper,not through looking at herself. Lets not forget the "romantic" side of her saying no and him continuin to pursue sexual relations with her.
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