Southside With You is the story of Barack Obama and Michelle Robinson’s First Date. Parker Sawyer looks and sounds a lot like Barack Obama. Tika Sumpter is convincing as Michelle. Michelle insists that this “is not a date” because she is technically Barack’s boss while he serves his Summer Internship at the law firm in Chicago that Michelle desperately wants to succeed in. First-time Director, Richard Tanne, also wrote the script for Southside With You. This is where the movie struggles as Tanne tries to make conversations “dramatic” and “meaningful” within the context of a date. There are a few awkward moments and unconvincing moments. But, there is chemistry between Sawyer and Sumpter and that carries the movie. GRADE: B
I liked it but I think the new movie BARRY will be a stronger look.
Patti, I’m looking forward to BARRY, too. We met Deb and her husband, John! What a fun couple! We had breakfast and beignets!
Dating the boss? Sounds like grounds for a sexual harassment suit!
Why the commas around the director’s name?
I can’t think of a movie I have less interest in, BTW.
Bob, the Director is a rookie and needs way more practice! I’m always up for a First Date movie!
Has nothing to do with politics but this doesn’t interest me at all. First date movies are not on my radar.
Steve, I was impressed how our future President swayed his future wife.
The First Date parts were fine, but I thought things got bogged down when Tanne inserted “meaningful” scenes to tell us about Michelle and Barack’s social concerns, awkwardly foreshadowing their future together. It’d give it a solid C
Dan, I’m with you on the foreshadowing. It weakened the movie.