It was bound to happen folks. BWLM reviews it's first date movie...kinda. While I'm sure that this movie can and likely will be seen on date nights, it's actually ABOUT a date...kinda.
Welcome to Southside With Me, the silver screen dramatization of the "first date" between America's most loved and hated power couple, the Obamas. The film follows a summer day shared between Barack Obama and Michelle Robinson on the south side of Chicago. It is the summer of 1989 and Barack (Parker Sawyers) is spending his first summer break from Harvard as a junior associate with the Chicago based law firm of Sidley & Austin. It is there that he meets his strait-laced advisor, Michelle (Tika Sumpter). Channeling common interest in community improvement, Barack invites Michelle to a local committee meeting. What follows is history, however what follows immediately is hysterical...kinda. Y'know, the stuff that first dates are made of where two people who like each other try to get along long enough to SEE if they like each other enough to keep going.
Our Commander-In-Chief to be is portrayed by strong chinned Parker Sawyers, who started his onscreen career in the Lilyhammer series in 2012. Sawyers captures Obama's jovial and astute nature well and others seem to agree, as his dance card has filled since word has gotten out. Much like her character (Michelle), Tika Sumpter has proceeded Parker in Hollywood. Her credits include consistent roles across several genres in both TV and film since 2004 including a 6 year run on One Life To Live and the movies Salt, Get On Up and the Ride Along series. You can even find her singing in the movie Sparkle. Wait, there's more. She's also a producer on Southside With Me. Sumpter capably embodies the First Lady's spirit in what many may feel is an actual behind the scenes peek into what the Obamas are like.
What makes Southside With Me good (yes, it's good) is it's authenticity. The discussion isn't so much as about the film's historical accuracy as it is about it's life experience. The subtle awkwardness and sometimes discomfort of two folks feeling each other out is captured well. The dialog is exceptional and touches on several issues including community, race, respectability politics and mixing business with pleasure. I also enjoy the concept of writer Richard Tanne to explore this one day, the moment that led to the next of the Obamas instead of attempting to make it a romantic biography. That said, thumbs up. Go ahead. Take a walk on the South Side...
NOTE: If you want more of onscreen Obama, you only need Netflix. The streaming leader has purchased the worldwide rights to BARRY, a movie set during our Commander-In-Chief's time at New York's Columbia University...
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