There is a touch of Richard Linklater within Richard Tanne's "Southside with You," a charming film about the Obama meet-cute.
Much like Linklater's "Before Trilogy," "Southside with You" follows two characters, who happen to be the Barack and Michelle - as they walk-and-talk throughout a summer day in Chicago. But as Michelle (Tika Sumpter) reminds Barack (Parker Sawyers) rather constantly, this is not a date. Or is it?
When Barack picks up Michelle from her family home, he exits his crummy car with a certain amount of unabashed confidence. He's ready to woo her. Michelle, however, has no interest in his swagger. "You're late," she sternly tells him.
Michelle agrees to get in the car with them because they are going to a meeting as colleagues (both work at the same law firm, she as his advisor). When Barack picks her up early in the day, he neglects to tell her that the meeting doesn't start until 4 o'clock.
It takes a certain amount of convincing but Michelle hesitently decides to spend the day with Barack. Together, they go to art museums and have lunch in the park (where she insists on paying for her own sandwich). But it's not a date!
"Southside with You" has a loose structure and not much in terms of a definitive plot - neither did Linklater's great series. We are lucky enough to spend 84 minutes with these charming characters and even more charming actors. Sumpter and Sawyers have off-the-chart chemistry together. Their moments of banter might be even greater than the softer moments (not a spoiler, we know how the day turns out).
Tanne directs with ease, capturing sun-kissed Chicago in the late 80s. Every frame is doused with sun, which makes the movie an altogether pleasant experience. He shoots a lot of the film in tight close-up shots, which makes us feel like we are spending the day with Barack and Michelle. It never feels intrusive but always inviting.
We forget that we are watching the future president try so hard to win over a girl. While the last name Obama is mentioned a few times, it is never what we are focused on. These are just two lovely people getting to know more about each other and we are fortunate enough to get to know them. It's a pleasant way to close out the summer movie season.
| Movie title | Southside with You |
|---|---|
| Release year | 2016 |
| MPAA Rating | PG-13 |
| Our rating | |
| Summary | As the political rhetoric hits a fever pitch, this breezy tale about our current first couple's first date ("it's not a date!") is a pleasant way to close out the Summer movie season. |
