Newness

Newness, released in 2017 and directed by Drake Doremus, is an intimate and probing examination of love in the contemporary digital age. Featuring the talents of Nicholas Hoult, Laia Costa, and Danny Huston, it’s a nuanced exploration of the complexities of modern relationships and personal identity, played out against the backdrop of the vibrant city of Los Angeles.

The movie introduces Nicholas Hoult as Martin Hallock, a British pharmacist living in Los Angeles. Martin is a somewhat disillusioned millennial who has allowed his remote job and the equivalent popular dating apps to define his life's pattern. Contrary to this, Laia Costa as Gabriella Silva, is a witty and independent Spanish nurse specializing in intensive care. Gabriella is yearning for something more fulfilling than the ordinary romantic involvements she has been chasing without real satisfaction. The two lead roles depict millennials looking for a deeper connection while dealing with the pitfalls of endless options at their fingertips.

Their paths cross on an online dating platform after individually experiencing dissatisfaction in their past sexual and romantic engagements. Despite the inherently impersonal nature of the platform they use, Martin and Gabriella experience an immediate and undeniable chemistry. A chance connection turns into a passionate love affair, bringing them both into uncharted emotional territory. As they discover a new world of intimacy and raw vulnerability with one another, they face the uncertainties and challenges that come with it.

However, the modern, seemingly liberating world they exist in brings its unique set of complexities. Even in the realm of their newfound emotional attachment, the couple struggles with the constant temptation presented by a never-ending digital catalogue of potential partners. The friction generated by the present-day reality of limitless choices and the nostalgic longing for traditional monogamous relationships forms a significant crux of the narrative.

Apart from focusing on the romantic relationship, Newness also delves into the insecurities and personal battles faced by individuals in the consumerism age. Not merely an observer to his protagonists' romantic escapades, director Drake Doremus delves deeply into both characters' psyches, depicting their individual journeys of self-discovery and emotional evolution.

Supporting actor Danny Huston in the role of Larry Bejerano, owner of a trendy Los Angeles bar and a friend of Martin's, adds an extra layer of maturity and a point of differentiation to the narrative. Larry’s lifestyle and attitude create a sharp contrast against the experimental relationship dynamics between Martin and Gabriela, fostering intriguing conversations about the way we love and live in contemporary society.

Weaved in throughout the film are the aspects of social media and online dating bravely explored as conventions for seeking love (or the idea of love) today. The impact of technology on relationships - both its conveniences and its impersonality - are exciting themes that Newness handles with sensitivity and honesty.

Besides the story, another star of the film is the city of Los Angeles. The city’s diverse atmospheres, from its energetic nightlife to its serene shores, are shot to stunning effect to add an environmental texture to Martin and Gabriella's relationship. Hence, the setting ends up reflecting the dichotomy of their intricate love affair - exhilarating yet peaceful, passionate yet calming.

Newness offers a mature, hard-hitting look at the new norms of dating and carving out meaningful relationships while navigating an ocean of options introduced by technology. This journey scored by masterful performances from Nicholas Hoult, Laia Costa, and Danny Huston is as complex, chaotic, and often as elusive as our understanding and execution of the concept of 'newness.'

Newness is an invitation to witness a personalized exploration of the functionality of romantic relationships trapped in the digital age. This cinematic piece, while asking pertinent questions about love, trust, and human connection in the face of technological disruption, refrains from definitive answers, leaving room for the audience to draw their own conclusions based on individual perspectives and experiences.