Word got out about this movie a while ago, but Executive Producer John Legend helped share the trailer for Southside With You last week and upon first look, I’m so here for it.
“Inspired by Barack and Michelle Obama’s first date, Southside With You recounts the eventful summer day in 1989 when a young law firm associate named Barack Obama (Parker Sawyers) tried to woo lawyer Michelle Robinson (Tika Sumpter) during a daylong date that took them from the Art Institute of Chicago to a screening of Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing to the site of their first kiss outside of an ice cream parlor.”
Yes, POTUS and FLOTUS wrap up their last year in the White House with a biopic of their first date. #BlackLove, day time dates, and Chicago for the win! I don’t always agree with President Obama, but I like the concept of sharing their love story and I’m curious to see how the date will play out specifically, because clearly we know how they ended up, lol. Here are three things I must see in Southside With You:
- Some late 80s/early 90s realness: They had my attention when the trailer started playing Janet Jackson’s “Miss You Much” for a part, then it switched over to what seemed to be some 1960s style music. The film seems to be geared towards adults and maybe adults and their parents. I’m just curious as to why they chose the latter song for a movie and story based in a later time period. Not all Black films are based in the pre-80s, so hopefully the film will reflect more music of the time the future Obamas’ first date was based in.
- Courtship, courtship, courtship: What has some ladies swooning is the romance aspect of their date, but compared to what we call “dating” today, this is a refreshing look at what two young and ambitious people do on a date. I want to see some elements of courtship, the man pursuing the woman, the woman not being so guarded as Michelle (portrayed by Tika Sumpter) is in the trailer. How will Barack help her let her walls down? Genuine interest and taking your time help the courtship process go a lot smoother. Dating is getting to know someone, the good, bad and ugly, so I’m curious to see what the date entailed and what notes we singles can take today.
- Positive depiction of Black people and Chicago: I didn’t want to roll my eyes watching this trailer; I was definitely proud to see a film about #BlackLove that wasn’t based on toxic behaviors and tired stereotypes. Not all Black people are the same; so we come from different backgrounds, beliefs, and ways that we present ourselves. It will be interesting to see how the film not only portrays Barack and Michelle, but the other characters in the film. I’m also curious to see how much Chicago they showcase in this film. The movie is based on the Obama’s first date in Chicago’s southside area, so I’ll be on the lookout for key landmarks, restaurants, etc.
Southside With You is set to hit the big screen on August 26, 2016, the same month as our President’s birthday. Follow the film on Facebook and Twitter for more updates.
What are your thoughts on Southside With You? Will you be watching?
