Film Review: Southside with You (2016)
Southside with You is a romantic drama and biopic that marks Richard Tanne’s directorial debut. The film captures the essence of Barack (Parker Sawyers) and Michelle Obama’s (Tika Sumpter) first date on a sweltering day in Chicago in 1989.
The movie progresses at a leisurely pace, mirroring the languid nature of a hot summer day. It follows the pair through the familiar awkwardness and playful exchanges of a first date. This style is reminiscent of Richard Linklater’s Before trilogy — Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, and Before Midnight — where two characters simply roam and converse. If you enjoy such dialogue-driven films, Southside with You should be appealing. The twist here is that the wandering and conversing individuals are Barack and Michelle Obama, which adds a unique dynamic and tension to the viewing experience.
A Date that is Not a Date
The film begins with Barack and Michelle preparing to go out. Michelle continually emphasizes to her parents and Barack that this outing is not a date but merely two colleagues attending a community meeting. Despite this, Barack arrives early, allowing them to visit an art exhibit, have a picnic in the park, and share personal stories.
The story starts in the middle of their relationship; they already know each other when the film begins. Barack works as a summer associate at Michelle’s law firm, where she is his supervisor. Michelle’s insistence that this is not a date stems from their professional relationship and the dynamics of their workplace.
Barack is clearly infatuated with Michelle, but she remains hesitant. This “non-date” is his chance to break through her defenses and show her his personal side. As they walk, talk, and drive around, they challenge each other and, at times, irritate one another. Barack smokes numerous cigarettes and tries to charm her. They eventually reach the community meeting, where Barack’s future as a gifted speaker begins to shine through. Their evening continues with more walking, talking, a movie, drinks, and finally, ice cream and a kiss. We, the audience, know how their story evolves over the next two decades.
The Viewing Tension
Given that we already know the outcome of their relationship, the film doesn’t have traditional narrative tension. The interest lies in how this portrayal of young Barack and Michelle aligns with our own perceptions of them. The film becomes a reflection of our opinions about the Obamas, subject to interpretations ranging from propaganda to a simple love story.
Viewers are left considering whether the love story would be compelling if the characters weren’t the Obamas. Could it stand alone without their significant context? This question remains open because the story is deeply tied to them.
The Waffling Reviewer
My feelings about the film fluctuated between enjoyment and frustration. At times it felt overly sweet or awkward, but at other moments, it was sharp and witty. Despite these mixed feelings, the film lingered in my thoughts, not necessarily for its narrative, but for its commentary on how we perceive and claim an understanding of public figures. Southside with You is a thought-provoking film that delves into the narratives we construct about people we don’t truly know.
Conclusion
Southside with You is a film that intellectually engages and challenges its viewers. It’s available on DVD and for streaming on Amazon Video and Netflix. Note that it’s rated PG-13 for brief strong language, smoking, a violent image from Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing, and a discussion about marijuana.
