Charisma is one of Barak Obama’s endearing charms – Southside With You – which tells the story of Obama and the first lady, Michelle Obama na Robinson’s, first date has this as well as a romantic charm seeping through its very pores.
First-time writer/director of Southside With You, Richard Tanne, shines a blinding yet extremely simply light on this tale which follows America’s almost regal couple on the actual events of their first date, whilst the dialogue is made up the events of the day are real. Tika Sumpter plays a feisty and staunch Michelle – a young black woman wanting to make something of herself without having the stigma of dating the first black man in the office hanging over her head and a very pushy and persistent Barak – played by Parker Sawyers – who will not give up too easily.
It’s a summer day in 1989, Michelle – who is an advisor to the young Lawyer Barak Obama at the Sidley Austin Law Firm – agree’s to accompany him to a Church meeting where the locals are gathering to discuss plans for the community center. By no uncertain terms Michelle boost’s loudly this isn’t a date but as Barak – who doesn’t hide the fact he quite clearly likes her – turns up at her house in a beaten up car declaring they have a few hours to spare for the meeting she has no choice but to join him on this walkabout.
Barak proceeds to take Michelle to an Art exhibition where they are exhibiting African Art which leads into a picnic in the park before their church meeting – in which we witness the beginning of his journey into the political world with a stirring and eloquent speech for empathy. It’s gentle temperament see’s the couple exchange ideas and thoughts on the racial struggles of America as well as conflicting and hypocritical conversations on their career progression. The couple delves into their past as they open up to each other – Barak becomes angry at his absent Father who passed seven years previous while Michelle gives an intricately passionate speech regarding her assertive Father.
Sawyer has an eerie resemblance to Obama and along with his rousing performance gives the narrative an impassioned depth of true commitment in what could be seen as his respectful ode to the President. Sumpter is a little harder to believe as Michelle be this because of her lack of similarity to the First Lady – maybe – she still gives a heartfelt yet shielded portrayal.
The Obama years in office may be coming to an end but this delightful yet simplistic story goes that one step further to romanticise the couple on both a political and personal scale embodying the very essence of the Obama beliefs.
Southside With You is out in cinemas September 30.