Newness (2017) is a love story with its setting centered around the modern world of relationship apps and the need for instant gratification. This romantic drama has been expertly helmed by esteemed director Drake Doremus, whose impressive portfolio includes works such as Like Crazy (2011). The film Newness tackles intimacy, love, and their importance in today’s world where there is an overflow of opportunity. It is a dramatic work with Nicholas Hoult and Laia Costa at their best in portraying the complexities faced in a present-day romance.
Plot Summary
Martin (Nicholas Hoult) and Gabi (Laia Costa) are two millennials who live in Los Angeles. They are a part of the social phenomenon of online dating and hoping that things will work out, just like they did for many before them. Their romantic adventure starts on the dating app as they become acquainted with each other, and then love blossoms into a reality.
However, as the story progresses, their relationship deepens and their budding romance begins to fade away. The couple now has to deal with a barrage of diffrences including their self-esteem issues, their contrasting want and need from the relationship, and even the original app that bought them together. With the hope of closing the gap between Martin and Gabi, they decide to stay honest with one another and have an open relationship.
This experiment brings forth a rollercoaster of emotional experiences and incidents, revealing what the couple truly wants, how badly they wish to be close to each other, and the struggles they face being at peace with themselves when the world throws myriad of options.
Anodising Relations and Remorse in the Era of Technology
Emphasising how more people are getting turned into relationships through dating apps Depicted in New sometimes Mob Jockeys culture amorality because being able to access ‘new’ people so easily eliminates the want and effort of searching someone for a lasting connection.
The attractive Relationship Google implies that between intimacy and fear of rejection lies the emotional making, opening oneself to another people in a society that discourages dependency – but Martin and Gabi’s romance pushes the limits of comfort to reflect that proposition.
Controversing Open Relationships
To address these relationships’ standards, they should discuss a tempestuous triangle love; the directness of envy and faith and the struggle of shifting normatives as the couple wish to try polyamory. Not every relationship couples are prepared for, it is challenging to put in one’s effort to achieve this joy, which’s why the movie neither idolises nor shames this decision.
The Human Desire for Connection
This film asserts a maxim that will never change while simultaneously being fixated on current day technology: the human desire to be able to connect. Martin and Gabi’s experience is a lesson that love and intimacy, or for that matter, any relationship is hard work, takes time and one needs to be brave enough to confront one’s own weaknesses.
Cast and Performances
Nicholas Hoult as Martin
Hoult gives Martin’s character a masterclass as he embodies a character who seems utterly confident and yet is reeking of insecurity. Martin’s incapacity to be in touch with his heart is relatable to the character’s experience where a majority cites emotional commitment during this age of digital dating.
Laia Costa as Gabi
I believe that Gabi is a meek and timid person who gets possessed by a lot free energy which is dangerous, and for better or worse, genuinely real, it is sophisticated, the outcome and feeling of really being able to love a character was effortlessly achieved by the actress who played Gabi. Her connection with Hoult was very dynamic which made their chemistry and relationship more realistic yet captivating.
Danny Huston as Larry
Huston plays one of the many supporting roles. His character Larry, serves as a mentor to Martin, provides him a fresh perspectives regarding personal relationships and growth. He significantly enhances the visual aesthetics of the film especially with respect to love and commitment.
Direction and Cinematography
Drake Doremus understands and portrays delicate relationship dynamics effortlessly, this aspect carries through to Newness too. The film is directed in an extremely personal style, whereby there are extreme close-up shots which are accompanied by practical lighting. A raw intimate experience is created because of the handheld footage, which also adds to getting viewers more engrossed in Martin and Gabi’s emotions.
Los Angeles serves as a fitting setting since the characters serve a greater purpose, feeling lost and isolated which the city portrays despite it holding a large population. These sights serve to combine the diverging aspects of the city with the character’s self contemplation, which greatly showcase the overarching themes of the movie such as disconnection and longing.
Critical Reception
The critics were unable to come to a consensus regarding their reviews for Newness. The film has an approval rating of 69% on Rotten Tomatoes, where its performances and approach to modern relationships were well received. Other critics however, were not satisfied with the pacing and progression of the film’s plot and storyline.
Doremus’s character development style garnered a lot of criticism for the reason the negative reviews consider single dimensional romance movies unrealistic, and wish filmmakers would paint a better picture. What was however praised by others were the chemistry and romance between Hoult and Costa and how Newness dare approached non monogamy.
The film’s overall beauty aesthetic and artistic appeal along with the vast array of characters developed left a lot in the pockets of depth. This was reviewed negatively by the critics.
Importance to today’s public.
Newness appeals to modern day viewers especially those who have ever been confronted with the challenge of moving through dating apps or even the current trend to dating. its deep visceral examination of love, connection and self-development appeals to an array of human experience thereby bridging the generational gap into an array of connection.
The film’s representation of polyamory and the repercussions it has emotion wise as well, brings forth the need for discussion about how relationships are adapting in a fast paced era.
Final Thoughts.
Newness is a beautiful rendition of love and attachment during the modern era set in the times of technology. Its brilliant acting, direction and themes take one through the ups and downs of love life. While it may not meet the standards of the viewers looking for a classical romance film but it captures the deep rooted issues which come while pursuing a relationship in a world made for instantapp gratification.
Newness is a movie that stands out and must be seen, for those in search of insightful drama within love in the current time. It compels the audience to reflect upon how technology is transforming their relationships for the better whilst also reminding us how delicate and beautiful intimacy still is over centuries.
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