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Movie Review: “Southside With You” Is A Sweet Speculative Origin Story

[yasr_overall_rating]
 

Chronicles the summer 1989 afternoon when the future President of the United States of America, Barack Obama, wooed his future First Lady on an epic first date across Chicago’s South Side.

Richard Tanne’s “Southside with You” gave me 1974 “Claudine” vibes, but in reality it was nothing like that, as Michelle is not a single mother of six kids and Barack is not a cool cat garbage man, and of course it this film void of Gladys Knight & the Pips, entirely. Perhaps, I am still buggin’ that James Earl Jones is no longer with us and that is what is wrong with the world. But in all seriousness, “Southside with You,” does touch on similar themes, such as poverty and the particular struggles women face in a man’s world (or rather “the Man’s world). And it just happens the focus is on two exceptional people who become our nation’s President and First Lady. It is a simple film that provides a glimpse of a first date, an origin story of sorts that lays down the foundation for future greatness.

“Southside with You,” could easily be mistaken for a movie about walking, specifically a primer on, “How to walk and talk with someone you’re on a non-date with that may turn into a date if you play your cards right.” There is lots of walking, searching glances, absorption, and dialogue. You are forced to listen, forced to absorb. It is tedious work at times but not utterly painful to shuffle through the heavy dialogue and draw out some gold.

There is nothing coy or coquettish about Michelle (Tika Sumpter) when it comes to her first date with Barack (Parker Sawyers). In fact, it’s not a date at all but rather strictly business, an invitation to a community meeting. Barack’s intentions are otherwise, seeing no reason it shouldn’t be a date despite Michelle’s concerns of her being relegated, even if only subconsciously so, to a secondary position in their mutual place of work, bitterly undermining the blood, sweat, and tears she’s put into her career. Her head is steady and heart is guarded, only letting the natural coolness and swagger of Barack break in for fleeting moments. It isn’t until they finally reach the community meeting that the barriers break and it’s a date.

Sawyers as Barack nails it. It doesn’t feel like acting, it feels like President Obama all the way and it’s fun and inspiring to watch. Sumpter’s performance is gratingly wooden at times but it may just have been because Sawyer’s performance was exceptional. But it perhaps also may be that I can’t envision Michelle Obama to be so hard-nosed.

Though I cannot boast greatness, neither can I deny the sweet simplicity of “Southside with You.” There is a lightness present amongst the touches of tension. Tanne brings to life, edging on exaltation, the budding romance of two people destined to do great works. While it takes a moment to muster the energy to face the heavy verbiage, “Southside with You,” is good practice for future canonization.

In theaters now

 
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