Newlyweeds (2013) Reviews

• Well worth a watch

  matthewhogg2013-12-20

  This is a film that will keep you fixed until the end. The first reviewer has given this 1/10. I'm shocked. Knee-jerk reaction because they are anti drugs?? I (until fairly recently) have smoked weed in various forms for a long time - approx 10 years. I confess to stopping because today its: maximum concentration, minimum conversation rather than munchies and giggles. And I occasionally get drug tested! Now I feel I can be objective and say this film is a little over the top (Requiem for a Dream-esque) in it's ultimatum however, I have former friends who have never moved on from eating jaffa cakes and getting stoned at uni and are still at nearly 30 years old, bums because of weed. This film is inspiring in that from time to time it highlights the failings of being a pothead...you say "it's fine" everything will sort itself out. It usually doesn't. The lethargy you feel from "burning" (the film's lingo) is very real and can very easily take over... I think the chap that plays the main character embodies this...but far too much, he almost appears a crack head! A great film in portraying a typical drug addiction and resulting downward spiral but hey... We all know weed is an accessory drug and would you REALLY be on the streets begging to pick up a ten-bag??! Probably not. However this film is very real in that every circumstance that occurs could easily happen in the States and the consequences life changing. In the UK not so much. Probably this will slip under the radar but don't let this dissuade you from giving it a go. Solid acting throughout and if (like me) you have an "education" in weed, you can totally relate to. If this helps at all...this is the first IMDb review I've ever made. Simply because I relate to the theme.

• Authenticity, Acting, and Style make this is a great watch

  Hurry_up_N_buy2014-03-25

  A very refreshing piece of work (and hidden gem) which just so happens to be set in an urban world, which is always a plus for me, when done correctly, because this is what I relate to and what I grew up around. The characters were extremely authentic and well played from the two Jamaican characters -who spoke more of a realistic Jamaican Patois as opposed to the stereotypical Jamaican-American "Ayeeee MON" BS- to the drug dealers who spoke -or didn't speak due to paranoia- and acted how your typical drug dealers making hand to hand sales in the streets tend to speak and act. I got a Spike Lee "Crooklyn" vibe from this for some reason, with the obvious differences being "Crooklyn" was more family oriented, different era, and a coming of age dramedy. All in all, this movie kept me watching and was definitely worth it, only criticism being an all too abrupt, yet unique, ending. 8.5/10

• The best 'Newlyweeds' grow with darkness

  cgales11702013-08-04

  New director Shaka King certainly makes a name for himself with this dark dramedy, Newlyweeds. The film follows the evolution of a relationship between two lovers, who share a love both for each other and for marijuana. Regardless of your stance on smoking, the film is full of laughs that everyone can understand, albeit sometimes they are a bit dark. Amari Cheatom of Django Unchained demands attention on the screen and delivers an amazing performance, which only parallel the performances delivered by his costars. This film is much smarter and much more complex than your average stoner film, so it certainly shouldn't be written off as one.

• Newlyweeds is a quick love story which finds an outsider, namely weed, being want brings two people together and what pushes them apart.

  Amari-Sali2013-12-23

  This is one of those films which pop up on your radar and because it isn't coming out nowhere close, or is too expensive where available in theaters, you wait until it comes out on VOD, DVD or what have you. However, with this film being a stoner romance film, featuring Black characters at that, it is hard to not want to see if you missed out, or didn't want to spend more than you are used to for a movie. So, with that said, let's talk about Newlyweeds. Characters & Story The films primary focus is on the character Lyle (played by Amari Cheatom) who is a habitual user of weed. Before he eats he smokes; once he gets home he smokes; and pretty much anytime he needs to zone out or is about to do something stressful, he takes a hit. However, considering her works in repossession, you can't really blame him for smoking so much. But, alongside him is his girlfriend Nina (played by Trae Harris) who likes smoking weed too, but rather than use it to escape from life, she seems to be the type who uses it for existential reasons. Making for a film in which we have a young woman who wishes to seek out the world dating a man who is just trying to make it through the day. Their bond seems stronger when weed is around, then when it is not, and when weed is absent, we see what their relationship is really like. Praise What I loved most about the film is the way we are introduced to their relationship. She is talking about her dreams, he is having "weed talk" and they are making plans for their future, and it just makes you want to go "aw." Then, outside of that, watching Lyle's life working in the repossession occupation brings a lot of laughs as he stalks people and takes their stuff, and throughout the film there are many other instances of comedy which definitely helped the movie. Be it the homo- thug Philly (played by Isiah Whitlock Jr.) or Nina's father Devin (played by Anthony Chisholm), both bring funny moments to their scenes as the film enters, or is in, its second act. Perhaps another thing worth mentioning is how nice, and perhaps rare, it is to see the male end of the relationship be vulnerable in a film featuring Black characters. Usually things are written where the woman has a change of heart, or is the one who gets jealous, insecure and etc., but in Newlyweeds' case, Lyle is the one who realizes that Nina could have the world, and for some reason chose him. It makes their relationship all the more interesting, especially when we learn about the world Nina comes from. Criticism Leading to the almost sole issue of the movie which sort of ruins it: They make weed seem like it is on the level of crack. The reason I say this is because when Lyle doesn't get to do his usual routine of getting some weed after work, this leads the man to acting like a crack head and from there the movie goes downhill quick. In fact, it even leads you to question whether the Lyle we get to know is the man we met in the first half of the film, or is truly the one in the 2nd half. I say this because the transition from one to the other seems almost dramatically fast to the point that it seems his character had a mask on in order to keep Nina unaware of whatever his past maybe. And perhaps another issue worth mentioning is, you do sort of wonder by the end of the movie how did Nina and Lyle meet, much less fall in love to the point of living with one another. Don't get me wrong, these questions don't really pop up in the beginning for they seem good together, but once things fall apart you do start analyzing things. For example, you have to sort of wonder how this guy who seemingly doesn't have a friend not on probation, or that isn't a drug dealer, ended up with this girl who seemingly lives on the good side of town, and has traveled a little bit. Overall: TV Viewing This film is worth, perhaps, viewing once. The reason I say this is because the first half is a cute little stoner romance movie, and that is the main reason I'm not saying to skip this. However the 2nd half I feel is weak, in comparison to the first half, and between Nina and Lyle's relationship disintegrating and Lyle's fall from grace, which leads him to acting like a crack head, the film goes from likable, to almost like a urban PSA trying to make weed seem like it will make you so addicted that you'll allow yourself to look, and act, like a fool. Hence why I think this is for TV viewing, assuming it ever comes to television.

• More Reefer Madness.

  concernedplazaresidents2013-12-19

  More Reefer Madness nonsense in this film. The full court press in on by those in power to continue incarcerating, killing and profiting from cannibas prohibition and the drug war. Remember to register to vote and vote out any politiican that does not support repealing the cannibas prohibition which has disproportionately imprisoned more blacks and latinos than any other legal scam in history. Allowing propaganda like this film to support a failed prohibition of a plant that has incarcerated millions, killed hundreds of thousands and wrecked lives is immoral. It is time to move beyond prohibition and the failed drug war.