Here I thought that “Our Little Sister” was the most pleasant film of the year. Little did I know that, just over a week later, another film would take that prize. It too would deal with life’s shortcomings in a genteel way, focusing on love and companionship over hardship. The latter exists solely because it does in life. Writer/director Richard Tanne tackles serious subject matters with safe broad strokes, ensuring the viewer that everything will turn out alright in the end (at least in the case of this film’s main focus, that is).
“Southside with You” is weightier than “Our Little Sister” in that its protagonists are more important and polarizing: they are a young Barack Obama (Parker Sawyers) and his future wife, Michelle Robinson (Tika Sumpter). The film chronicles a summer day in 1989 in Chicago, the unofficial first date of the eventual President and First Lady of the United States. Michelle sees it as nothing more than a work event for two colleagues, she the advisor to the interning Harvard student. Barack has other ideas in mind, with events planned before the event. Even the event itself is all part of his plan, a community meeting he used to lead, where everyone will build him up to Michelle and he’ll give a rousing speech to woo her off her feet.
Michelle is too smart for Barack and sees right through him. She calls his bluff and chops down his cocky demeanor. In the process, he breaks down her stern comportment, allowing her to breathe and be more open-minded. She agrees to partake in the day’s events only if it’s not referred to as a date. Barack obliges, stating it’ll only turn into a date at her behest. It’s obvious from the start these two were made for each other; not because we know the outcome, but because we can tell they complete one another.
As far as breaking down their pasts and dissecting their political views, the film is lightweight. Tanne inserts their political leanings and background into their conversations via expository dialogue, but he’s none too concerned with making a political statement. This is a sweetly little romance flick that’s only concern is to show two people falling in love. Anything political is necessary window dressing for the individuals to hang off of.
Some of the political angle does feel shoehorned in admittedly, true to fact or not. I began to wonder if Barack and Michelle would’ve grilled each other so much on their personal beliefs had this been a story about two unknowns falling in love. Their inquiries fit within their law profession, but do feel a bit heavy-handed at times. Same goes for their attendance at a screening of Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing” which is immediately followed by a discussion on the film’s merits with their boss. This too serves a purpose, to show that Michelle’s belief that the world will judge her and Barack’s relationship as unfounded, but again is too heavy-handed.
The heavy-handedness is never enough to sink the film, only slow it down a bit. Tanne is smart enough to skirt around an overbearing political message and deliver on his promise of a warm romance. He does a superb job of bringing the personalities of both Barack and Michelle to screen, highlighting their humor and generosity whilst tackling their shortcomings. The only political angle of interest here is in viewing the building blocks of world leaders as they iron out their flaws and grow from them. Barack’s sense of humor is still present today, but he’s learned to reel it in when necessary (a trait I’m sure many will hope I learn). Michelle has softened on viewing the world as constantly judging her, focusing more on what’s in front of her and doing what’s best to build others up.
Both Parker Sawyers & Tika Sumpter are excellent in their roles, perfectly embodying their famous counterparts! Sawyers is as smooth and charming as Barack, showing hints of his sincerity throughout. Sumpter is as strong and confident as Michelle, showing signs of her caring nature throughout. The two are magnetic together, developing a chemistry so well I wouldn’t be surprised if the two started dating (a mark of two tremendous actors). The casting department knocked it out of the park!
I do wonder how successful “Southside with You” would be had it not been about Barack & Michelle’s “first date.” Surely it wouldn’t have as many eyes on it considering it appears to be nothing more than a lesser Hallmark movie on the surface. I question if it wouldn’t have been brought down by the necessary political leanings that define the two leads, or if that helped in making the film feel more realistic. I know I didn’t find those aspects of the film to be as challenging as I would expect, but I also know I enjoyed the romance more than I expected to. Tanne set out to make a breezy romance story based on two moguls and he did just that. That I know for sure.
Final Rating: B