Races Loaded

I have no problem with the tried and true romantic comedy formula - boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back - but in a film which proposes to explore the complexities of an interracial relationship, do the characters have to be so black and white?

Sanaa Lathan, doing some of her best work in years, plays Kenya, one of those hardworking business types that never takes the time to concentrate on herself. Kenya is even saddled with an overzealous mom (Alfre Woodard!) and a chance at partner at her accounting firm. Aussie Simon Baker slips comfortably into the hunky role of Brian, a "landscape architect" and literal salt-of-the-earth type. He comes complete with a broken-down truck and a well-trained golden retriever. At one point the script, by sitcom writer Kriss Turner, has Brian declare, "I'm a landscaper; I take hard earth and make things bloom." Yeah, thanks, we got it; Kenya needs to let herself go.

What finally saves the film is not the broad strokes but the small details. The fun comes from watching these characters deal with the everyday facets of their relationship: advice from friends, expectations of family and, particularly, an awkward exploration of their growing attraction.

The final irony is that there's not much new about "Something". Director Sanaa Hamri, making her feature film debut, keeps the lighting soft and the pace brisk, but the film never really rises above the novelty of its own gimmick. Ms. Lathan and Mr. Baker are both eager to please, but their relationship is never very convincing. When Blair Underwood, at his most Lando Calrissian, shows up as a charming but arrogant competitor for Kenya's affections, the audience should be screaming "No! Brian's the one for you!" But instead we feel like neither is the right choice. Kenya's a strong, intelligent, successful woman. It's not a question of "something". She needs someone new.