When successful corporate lawyer Kenya ( Sanaa Lathan) is set up on a blind date, she is less than pleased to see that her date is Brian Kelly (Simon Baker). Not that Brian isn’t good-looking. He is. The problem? He is white. So Kenya doesn’t even give him a chance. But after a chance encounter and a situation she can’t get out of, she decides to hire Brian as a landscape architect for her garden. Even though she thinks they don’t have much in common, their personalities and taste seem to be opposite and she can’t look past the racial issues, she finds herself falling for Brian. Once she lets go, they start having a great relationship. But there will always be doubts (mostly racial) and prejudices on her part. This eventually drives them art. But then she meets Mark (Blair Underwood)-an ambitious black man also working in the corporate world. Obviously he is not without issues. But most importantly, he is not Brian…
The movie is a sweet little romance. I know it is labeled as a romcom but I don’t think it has many funny moments. It is as romantic as its supposed to be with all the right amount of complications and obstacles. It is fun and completely harmless but nothing to tell the home about really. 6.6 on IMDB. 6/10 from me. Well, obviously if you want me to rate according to the screen time and the beauty level of Simon Baker, than it is a 10/10. If you do like Baker, yeah- you should watch it. I enjoyed it. Plus, it was a fun change to see Simon in casual wear after watching him in suits all the time in The Mentalist.
Favorite Lines – Obviously, they came from Brian.
Kenya: I don’t do dogs.
Brian: Neither do I. We’re just friends.
***
Brian: I take it you don’t do white guys.
Kenya: I just happen to prefer black men. It’s not a prejudice, it’s a preference.
Brian: Sure, it’s your preference to be prejudiced.
***
Brian: I love you.
Kenya: I don’t know what to say.
Brian: Should I give you a hint?
***
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I remember a scene when he was varnishing her toenails… am I wrong? I found it very sensual, very erotic… Simon was extremely sexy and handsome… the poor “Prince Charming”; the ideal lover, the ideal husband…the “dream man”. Simon excelled himself !!!
You are not wrong. He does paint the toenails, with red. The idea is that she is afraid to let color in her life so he starts small. And then they paint her house walls together.
Lovely movie, but I just couldn’t get over the fact that she was being mean to him most of the time.And seriously when did a guy that gorgeous ever be that nice? And fun? And romantic?And impulsive? And I find it really hard to believe that any black woman would ever resist Simon just because he is white.Sure, I date white guys all the time but we are not exactly a mixed race country. Plus, it is not like Denzel Washington asked me out and I said no;)
I respect the racial issues she might have put up with but there is also sexism, poverty, job security,prejudice problems that people deal with. And one time Simon’s character points out, she really freaks out. Surely, Halle Berry’s life is better than mine. I am just saying;)
Lovely film. Could have been better but Simon was adorable as always. As I said, 6/10 to the film, 10/10 to the movie:D
Of course the racial prejudice is the main point of the whole movie. But, it’s interesting that the prejudice happens in the oposite way around… A black woman, a black family who do not accept the white boyfriend…
Well, if Denzel Washington, Will Smith or Djimon Hounsou ask me out, I would say YES !!!
No, I think the movie was just perfect the way it was !! I had a great time watching it 🙂
Well, I had fun but I find it totally unrealistic that a woman could ever resist Baker or kick him out of the bed! If his character was a jerk, sure by all means, use him for sex and dump him but he was a great guy!!!!:)
Other than that, yeah good romance.
Your blog is a wealth of discoveries. Here I found this movie and I saw it. Unfortunately I have to say that racial prejudice is on both sides. Sometimes black is much more intolerant than white. I know something about it. And in general, the mixed couples (black and white) are not well seen in America. Since very little time there are mixed couples in the movies (maybe you have not noticed because it’s not an issue that concerns you). And it is almost impossible to see love scenes between a white and a black. It’s still a big taboo. I was really annoyed by this racial tension throughout the film because it reminded me that things are really so backward. Sometimes I thank heaven to live in europe (not that there are not problems here too). Well yes she could have refused even a smile so irresistible as that of Simon in real life in America, and parents and friends could not accept the story even in a million years. She is unbearable with that broken record about her problems at work but this is how many blacks live, with real or imaginary difficulties because the problem exists and I guess it’s really hard to explain to a white man. Maybe it’s also why races prefer not to mix there, because there everyone notice races. What a hell. However to me the movie very well explains precisely this tension even with the scene of his legitimate curiosity to see how she is without extantions (fake hair). For a black woman hair are the most burning issue and is also seen in the scene of the stroll, when suddenly it starts to rain and she goes crazy because her head gets wet. It was just an innocent curiosity, but she read it as an insult. She has spent time at the hairdresser to become as beautiful as white women who have this plus that men want and admire (it takes many hours and much pain to weave hair in curls). But he didn’t understand. What the hell does he know? And after all misunderstandings… I loved that this device becomes Simon’s trump card, because he accepts and loves her just like she is, more than the perfect black man preferred by friends and relatives.
The film is not a masterpiece but it is enjoyable. I discovered Simon Baker that made me literally melt with his sunny smile. Being mixed race myself I wanted to be in her place and even though I should have bent slightly to kiss him, the contrast between the golden blonde and chocolate would be fantastic 🙂
Thank goodness, I am only 1.75. If I wear flats, there will be no bending on any parts;) And it wouldn’t have mattered in bed, anyway:) Oh, boy Simon is gorgeous and irresistable. And I have a weakness for men who can be that sexy yet not cocky (you can check out Simon’s interviews as well, he is like that in real life also) and who is so handsome but yet cute too. Oh and he is pretty and manly. Someone upstairs really worked on this guys;)
Well, I have problems with race. It’s just that not about being black and white. In theory, I am white. In fact, looking at the color of my skin, I am too blonde for Turkey. When people I just meet try to guess my country, they start with Scandinavia, then guess Easten Europe, then England…So they travel the world and they never guess Turkey. I wish this was only because people thought the majority of people here were brunettes (which they are). But they think this because most people believe Turkey is an Arabic country where people speak Arabic and all women have their heads covered. This pisses me off so badly, you have no idea. Yes, there are people with their heard covered ( and that is all politics, don’t get me started on that one) but hey, we speak Turkish and we have a population of 80 million. Which means we have people whose level of faith, education and income differ immensely. And we have as many atheists as any country. See? I have a whole lot of other problems when it comes to “race” and prejudice. I used to think I didn’t have any when it came to race, but….Well, I lived a year in Norway. Oh, I love Norway and it was a blast but…one time this idiotic Norwegian guy asked me where I was from. When I said Turkey, he was so shocked! He said “You can’t be! You are white!” OK. That was a new whole level of ignorance. Thankfully, not all Norwegians are like that.
So as you see, being half-asian and a little European in a country where people assume because you are from a majorly muslim population, you don’t have a pre-marital sex life, you have different problems;)
What bugged me about the way she was offended by Simon’s innocent inquires was that, he was such a nice guy! White or not, he was impossibly nice and romantic and sweet and passionate. Have you met anyone like that in real life? I haven’t. So yeah, I felt like kicking her ass a lot watching the movie:)
I am so glad we have similar taste in movies and that you like the blog:)
I really know something about idiot reactions at the answer to question “where are you from?”. I was born in Russia, in Saint Petersburg. People supposed to be blonde there! My mother is blonde and full of freckles (like my adored Lee Pace). And all my life I had to juggle between stupid reactions and looks of compassion, because they believed that I was adopted. In theory I’m nordic but in practice I’m chocolate coloured, so sometimes I wasn’t enough black for someone or enough white for somebody else.
Ahahahaha you see? Destiny is a joker, it may happen everything to everybody 😀
I agree that Kenya (Sanaa Lathan) was intolerable, also I would toppled her ass by dint of kicking, but I understand her reactions. Even if Brian (Simon Baker) was impossibly nice and sweet (like you said) she had no way to know if he was sincere in his feelings. Many guys are attracted by difference and they take it like a discovery journey and it’s not pleasant at all to be treated like a curious toy. So she had to bring him to his point of no return to be sure that he really loves her. Yes, she is also fussy and hygiene/control maniac and not spontaneous and full of phobias and damn it… she has it all, but it’s the reason why he loves her, because of the opposites and because of protection need that makes loose all men’s head. And oh…that nail varnish scene….a man like that at your feet, all alert and concentrate to avoid mistakes…OMG wish I had 20 toes to taste the vision of that gilded hunk at work much longer.
Now let me think if I ever met anyone romantic and sweet and passionate like that in my life…
…………well…………..uhm………….ah……………argh…………..nopppe! Or maybe yes, but not as handsome and with a killer smile as Simon.
Yeah, that nail polish scene was a killer. But I also love the idea of being alone in the rain with Simon. But I don’t care how difficult her hair is, I would not have shouted “Shit, my hair!” during that scene:) OK, I think I am too much of a romantic and too in lust with Baker’s character to really understand her.
You know, I was actually really freaked out in the middle of the film, about how Simon’s character Bryan really seemed to be attracted to the differences. I paused the movie and wrote an article about it:
http://socyberty.com/issues/if-opposites-do-attract-i-am-screwed/
You will see the reason of my panic in the article:D
And nope, I haven’t met a guy that sweet and fun. Nope. Damn…
In this case I was only talking about physical differences, how some white guys are attracted to black women (or vice versa) because of the contrast of black/white skin… Nothing really deep, just curiosity.
For what concerns the opposites I think it’s like a chimera. Maybe at first it can be exciting. It may work in a movie (and at short distance) but in real life if you don’t speak the same language you will never understand each other. It’s obvious that no one could fall in love with someone like Kenya. She’s a crazy chick. But as there is no one like Brian so there is nobody like Kenya. Or better maybe there’s someone sick like Kenya but certainly there’s nobody marvelous like Brian (super-sigh).
So this opposites thing is a bullshit to me, a trap where only the young and inexperienced fall into.
Glad we agree on this one:) You are right about the curiousness. I have never been with a black boy so yeah there is curiousity but I wouldn’t jump on a black or a white guy just out of curiousity. Personality, tastes, attraction all matter. Yeah, I wish there was a Brian. He doesn’t have to be a landscaper or be interested in flowers. He doesn’t need to paint the toenails.It is the romantic and impulsive attitude I can’t get over and can’t find anywhere…
That’s why we have romantic comedies, I guess. It makes us feel good for 90 minutes and then crappy afterwards. But hey, I love those 90 minutes. Gives me hope;)
I started a series on these films that are “bad” for us but we love watching anyway. http://cinemaroll.com/cinemarolling/movies-too-romantic-for-your-own-good-part-one/
there’s also sequel for this one. I’ll send the link if you like the first. I will write more on this stuff:)
Yes I loved the article and send me please the link for the sequel.
We all (only women) need to watch this kind of stuff because we all need a comparison, even if it’s fake. It’s difficult to dispose romance, because it may be embarassing or be misunderstood or be mocked. And then it’s so difficult to find someone that could understand and reciprocate. So it’s safe and liberating simply to enter in a cinema, to sit and start to cry (for joy or sadness) as if there were no tomorrow…
Well the thing is, some of those movies are written/directed by men- who are heterosexual (I had to check:) ) I have male friends who do turn romatic when they are really into someone so it is not all fiction. In fact, they do ridiculous things that are most characters in your average roms do. And men love to see romance when you hand it to them as drama or with guns blazing in the background. I have nothing against drama and action- in fact I love both those genres. But it is weird how most men seem to feel like it is a boy thing to hate romcoms. It’s like football- they consider it unmanly not to join the majority or something.
I just want a man who is individualistic and manly enough to admit to liking a sappy film if they like it.That’s all.
I am glad you liked the piece and thanks for commenting on it. I replied back. But I wanted to comment on The Notebook here- yep, that movie is desgined to make you cry but I hate that the author of that novel does it every time. Can’t two characters get a happy ending? Just once? You will see what I mean- this has The Notebook:
https://pinartarhan.com/blog/nicholas-sparks-vs-happy-endings/
Oh and Braveheart of course appears in more than one article;) :
http://cinemaroll.com/action/eight-reasons-to-love-braveheart/
The sequel for the too romantic is here:
http://cinemaroll.com/romance/movies-too-romantic-for-your-own-good-part-2/
But before you go, don’t feel shocked that I put Possession. I mean I know it has its dark and twisted moments but keeping the alternate in mind, it is quite exceptional the change Lee’s character’s was willing to go through for a girl. In my defense, I did date a couple of guys whose laziness made me want to punch them;)
It’s interesting that white girls are quick to jump on Kenya for not wanting to jump into bed with Brian. Kenya isn’t crazy- she fed up and frustrated with all the race issues she has to face on a daily basis (which you cannot hope to understand nor do you acknowledge). Interestingly enough Simon said in an interview that he was worried about being the only white guy and if he would be accepted. Now imagine having to put up with that on a daily basis … who wouldn’t be a little crazy?
As a white woman with black best friend, I can tell you that most white guys are black curious and constantly ask me about my friend . She is not interested because of the all the problems that go with dating outside her race.
There is the constant eliment of trust i.e. is he just back curious? Brian is also not her league economically and you seem to miss that important fact. Most white women in that economic bracket wouldn’t look at a black guy who was a gardener no matter how great he is… and no white person would expect her to.
@Jojo: Thanks so much for commenting. But I’ll have to disagree respectfully in almost all acounts. Here’s why:
Economically, Brian is not exactly in a totally different leauge. He might be making less money, but he is not a gardener- he is a landscaper with his own company.
He is also not education-wise beneath her league- he used to work as a copywriter but quit because he didn’t like the corporate life. So if you are not dating a college-educated landscaper with corporate experience, his own company and a college education, not dating him is not a rational thing to do. It would be very materialistic.
Now, you are right. I am not exposed to the racism balck people are exposed to. But just because I am white, it doesn’t mean I am not exposed to racism. I live in Turkey- a country where most people think the citizens speak in Arabic, are all overly religious and well every one is also Arabic. Try to imagine my frustration when I try to explain to everybody that not everyone in Turkey is religious, not everyone is a Muslim, no one is Arabic and we are a diverse nation. I am as white as a Scandinavian, while one of my best friends is like a Spanish brunette. And we are both Turkish. Unfortunately, if you are not coming from a very rich country that is either the U.S.A or a member of the EU, you are exposed to racism every day of your life.
And as a white person, I’d love to date Brian. Romantically, economically, personality wise and academically, he is a match.
As for the in-laws, yes they were really prejudiced in the film. But unfortunately, not all brides or grooms get along with or accepted by their in-laws. My mother doesn’t speak to her mother-in-law and her sister-in-law. But they belong to the same race, religion and the economic status. They just don’t like each other.