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.
9 Reviews
Newlyweeds is a quick love story which finds an outsider, namely weed, being want brings two people together and what pushes them apart.
Amari-Sali23 December 2013
Warning: Spoilers
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.
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.
Newlyweeds
aaq-8353714 January 2021
More Reefer Madness.
concernedplazaresidents19 December 2013
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.
Authenticity, Acting, and Style make this is a great watch
Hurry_up_N_buy25 March 2014
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
8.5/10
The best 'Newlyweeds' grow with darkness
cgales11704 August 2013
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.
Fun, sweet watch!
softshellknits23 June 2023
Black woman in my 30s- this is one of my favorite movies. Feels so special, made just for US! Saw this the year it came out and it's lingered in my mind and heart since!
I'm always showing this movie at my house, putting new people on to this, what I consider to be a NeoClassic. It's the perfect mix of romance, humor, feeling, and stoner fun. LOVE the main cast, and you can just tell production knocked it out of the park.
This movie felt like home and depicted Brooklyn in a comforting, everyday, real to life way. Makes me super nostalgic for the 2010s. Still feels "new" and not dated at all. This movie deserves all the love and recognition!
I'm always showing this movie at my house, putting new people on to this, what I consider to be a NeoClassic. It's the perfect mix of romance, humor, feeling, and stoner fun. LOVE the main cast, and you can just tell production knocked it out of the park.
This movie felt like home and depicted Brooklyn in a comforting, everyday, real to life way. Makes me super nostalgic for the 2010s. Still feels "new" and not dated at all. This movie deserves all the love and recognition!
Writer and director Shaka King has arrived!
clicclix21 July 2013
Making it's debut at the Sundance Film Festival, Newlyweeds is a coming of age story that many will identify with on so many levels. If laughter is essential to life's happiness then Newlyweeds is a must see! Great performances from a sensational cast. The comedy is infectious and anyone who doesn't tear up from laughter needs their pulse checked! The camera work alone keeps the audience guessing what's next and there's an overhead ariel shot during a heartfelt scene that made me want to reach up and hug the character Lyle. Great film, superb cast, and lots of laughs. Shaka King has arrived on the shores of cinema with a new energy, vision and voice.
Omg please read my review about this movie.
klesure17 January 2016
This movie is kind of mind boggling me, I am an writer. I have been writing Stories and poems all my life. So, I am indeed an cannabis SUPPORTER! And I Love romance stories as well. How come 2 things I love, I never thought to write about Weed and romance..right?? Anyway if I was to write a movie about weed and romance It would have been completely the same as this movie. To the not so fancy apartment They lived in, to the jacked up job that he(Lyle) had. The deep conversations and mesmerizing(I LOVE 70's theme/movies) would have been the same. Lyle loved Nina, he adores her actually. But also in love with reefer. So it is thought to be a love triangle and maybe they were all co- Dependent....though it was a lot I didn't understand about this movie and wish I could ask to the director/writer what some scenes actually meant. The title "newlyweeds" is so clever And love the play on words. The fact that it is based in Newyork and the movie starts off With them getting blazed together and talking about a dream Nina had that didn't make Sense because of "dream logic". She explains it with a very soft "Lisa bonnet" voice Omg, this movie is awesome! The part I would like to understand the most or like less, Is the end. Did he or did he not get Nina back? He got in the car by himself in the end but Nina was lying in his arms on their way to the airport....?? I don't know. This movie makes me see myself and maybe something very similar in the future happening to me. And the dialogue!!! How Lyle spoke to her, he listened to her and wanted to make her happy. He was so nice to her but he loved Nina more than Nina loved him, I think. Which also realistic. Sometimes in relationship one lover loves harder than the other. Nina made dumb mistakes like invite her stranger coworker to her and Lyles house and then constantly smoked up all of Lyles weed. ...and that she really didn't want to work...seems to me she was naive spoiled little girl who didn't want to live under the rules of her parents And made a guy fall in love with her and take care of her. Nina is gorgeous and traveled the world and is cultured but she is spacey, but this impresses Lyle And Lyle thinks she is beautiful and she can get any guy hence why he takes care of her. Love the whole story line of this dreamy movie, oh yeah the two lovers Lyle and Nina are two very attractive/beautiful people which makes The whole movie even easier and better to watch. It also has some comedy about the Jamaican lady LOL... 10 stars for this original (but has a Spike Lee feel to it) movie! Btw this movie review is signed sealed and delivered by a stoner AND I was high when I wrote this!!!
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