By Emilio Frenk
Director: Richard Tanne
Cast: Tika Sumpter, Parker Sawyers, Taylar Fondren, Preston Tate Jr, Donald Paul, Vanessa Bell Calloway and Donn C. Harper.
Rating: Good.
Director Richard Tanne makes his feature film debut with “Southside with You” and I was very surprised of the film. I remember the first time I saw the billboard I thought myself that this is going to be a movie for Hallmark Channel and I was wrong.
Based on real life events, “Southside with You” takes place in Chicago during the summer of 1989 where a young law associate Barack Obama (Parker Sawyers) tries to win the heart of a young female lawyer Michelle Robinson (Tika Sumpter)
At the beginning of the film young Barack tells her that they are going to a meeting but in reality is a date, which at the beginning Michelle doesn’t admit it.
But during the course of the date, Michelle is impressed by Barack skills in terms of speech and she has a very good time. This eventually will lead to a relationship and to the White House, becoming the President of the United States and The First Lady.
One of the things that I was surprised of “Southside with You” is the fact that most of the cast of the film are new and that is a bet that a director doesn’t t take for many reasons.
I like the fact that Richard Tanne did bet everyting in new blood and took his chances and his direction towards the actors really worked at all levels.
I know the movie takes place on the first date that The President of the United States and The First Lady had in the summer but the ending of the film did surprise me. Don’t get me wrong, it did work because nobody in the audience when I saw the film was expecting that.
Other thing that I liked of the film was the fact that besides is inspired in real events, it´s a totally different approach on this kind of movies and I think it is unique for that.
The dialogue of the script was really touching and warmth . I liked the fact that the character of Michelle Robinson wasn’t making it easy for Barack Obama at the beginning of the film and it was a sweet and tender moment.
The movie was produced by Academy Award Winner Singer and Composer John Legend and it has the touches of a movie that is really inspiring.
The performances from Tika Sumpter and Parker Sawyers are convincing and besides both of them have a huge resemblance with the President and First Lady.
This is inded a big surprise of this year and I have to say that I was very surprised with the result.
I do recommend “Southside With You” for all the elements I mentioned previously and hopefully we can see more of Richard Tanne`s work who has a bright future.