SOMETHING NEW (2006) 3 1/2 stars out of 4. Starring Sanaa Lathan, Simon Baker, Mike Epps, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Golden Brooks, Taraji P. Henson, Donald Faison, Blair Underwood, Alfre Woodard and Earl Billings. Music by Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman. Written by Kriss Turner. Directed by Sanaa Hamri. Rated PG-13. Running time: 100 mins.

        A sure way to determine if a movie connects with any audience is listen to the post-screening chatter in the lobby.

        After Something New, there was plenty to be heard.

        This interracial romantic comedy is smart, witty and provocative — and it does not shy away from confronting the myriad of issues for those contemplating or involved in interracial relationships.

        Kenya Denise McQueen (Sanaa Lathan) is a beautiful, successful career woman, up for partnership in her accounting firm.

        She is single, lives in Los Angeles and has just bought her first house. She is one of those women who, though she wants a social life, doesn't really make time for one. But she has her mental checklist at the ready if — and when — Mr. Right comes along.

        After spending Valentine's Day with her girlfriends, she reluctantly agrees to a blind date. He's Brian Kelly (Simon Baker) a landscape architect — and he's white.

        Taken aback and flustered, Kenya cuts the date short. But she later runs into Brian again at the wedding of a mutual friend. He also offers to do the landscaping at her new home. Grudgingly, she agrees.

        Despite Kenya's reservations Brian's charm and free-spirited attitude wear her down and a romance develops.

        Something New is most interesting because the story is told from the woman's point of view, which is no surprise, since it was written, directed and produced by women.

        The script by Kriss Turner discusses frankly the pressures placed on black women to date within the race as well as their attitudes about expanding their options to look outside race when considering a partner.

        Kenya's friends, like herself, all have successful careers or professions. Their attitudes about her dating a white man are as mixed as her own.

        And that is what makes Something New so satisfying. Politically and socially the issues involved are not just black and white. This is the film's main strength. Turner's script, directed by Sanaa Hamri, does not rely on simple answers or solutions.

        The reaction from the screening audience — comprised mostly of black women — was one of support for Kenya. Many seemed to identify with the struggles of the women in the film to find eligible black males.

        Lathan is luminous as Kenya. She is quick and brilliant in the business world, but tentative and a bit neurotic in her social life.

        Baker is charismatic, intelligent, winning and at ease as Brian. It is easy to see how any woman can fall in love with him.

        Others in the cast include Blair Underwood as Kenya's suitor and Brian's main rival; Mike Epps as a friend of Kenya who, at first suspicious of Brian, finally comes around; Donald Faison as Kelly's playboy brother, Nelson; Alfre Woodard and Earl Billings as Kenya's socially prominent parents; and Wendy Raquel Robinson, Golden Brooks and Taraji P. Henson are Kenya's friends.

        It is a most appealing cast, with many of the characters speaking what's on the audiences mind.

        If the film has one flaw, it's that Turner stacks the deck for Brian, making him so appealing and sensitive that it would be virtually impossible for any female — no matter what color — to resist his charms.

        In the end, as in most romances, everything boils down to following your heart. But this is one journey that will stir debate and discussion, something few movies are able or willing to do.

Bob Bloom is the film critic and DVD reviewer at the Journal and Courier in Lafayette, Ind. He can be reached by e-mail at bbloom@journalandcourier.com or at bob@bloomink.com. Bloom's reviews also can be found at the Journal and Courier Web site: www.jconline.com
Other reviews by Bloom can be found at the Rottentomatoes Web site: www.rottentomatoes.com.