Southside with You

Name: Southside with You
Genre: Biography, Drama, Romance
Released: August 26, 2016
Duration: 84 min
Rating: 74
Cast: Parker Sawyers, Tika Sumpter

2016

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 43 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 42 Ratings

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5.9

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5.9	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 42 Ratings

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Southside With You

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Movie Details & Credits

Roadside Attractions | Release Date: August 26, 2016 | PG-13

Starring: Parker Sawyers, Tika Sumpter

Summary: One summer afternoon in 1989, 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.

Director: Richard Tanne

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, Romance

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 84 min

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Critic Reviews

100

RogerEbert.com Odie Henderson

Aug 25, 2016

This down-to-earth approach works surprisingly well because Southside with You never loses sight of the primary tenet of a great romantic comedy: All you need is two people whom the audience wants to see get together—then you put them together. Read full review

Richard Roeper

Aug 18, 2016

Southside with You is a sweet, intelligent, well-crafted, wonderfully romantic, no-frills re-imagination of the first date between Barack Obama and Michelle Robinson. Read full review

Bernard Boo

Sep 29, 2016

The measured performances make Southside With You feel sincere and rooted in human emotion rather than a wink-winky account of an important day in American history. Read full review

IndieWire Eric Kohn

Jan 31, 2016

While a bit too enamored of the foreshadowing built into its premise, Tanne's impeccably acted two-hander examines the Obamas through an infectious, talky script loaded with keen observations, not unlike the appeal of its subjects. Read full review

Peter Keough

Aug 25, 2016

Their non-specific excursion unfolds like a blithe Woody Allen movie without all the name-dropping. Read full review

E. Oliver Whitney

Aug 25, 2016

Southside With You’s greatest assets are its performances. Read full review

Manohla Dargis

Aug 25, 2016

Mr. Tanne has clearly made a close study of his real-life inspirations, yet his movie is soon hostage to the couple’s history. His characters feel on loan and, despite his actors, eventually make for dull company because too many lines and details serve the great-man-to-be story rather than the romance. Read full review

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User Reviews

metaritic123

Apr 25, 2017

Beautiful movie. Acting, writing, direction, the music. All great. Short, sweet, simple, and profound. I would recommend this for a date night watch or a rainy sunday afternoon.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Randreagan

Sep 4, 2016

I'm surprised how much I liked this film Been let down with the 2nd Term of this President but this is a really interesting story. Great camera work, lighting, score and good acting particularly by the dude playing B O. Highly recommend this. Tells a great story, seems pretty true to life.

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

RAISEDbyWOLVES

Sep 7, 2016

This is a interpretation of the first date (that really wasn't a date) between Barack and Michelle. He an intern at a law firm where she has worked for 2 years and she is his boss in certain respects. It is simply a day together with 2 people gauging each other and you want to see how itThis is a interpretation of the first date (that really wasn't a date) between Barack and Michelle. He an intern at a law firm where she has worked for 2 years and she is his boss in certain respects. It is simply a day together with 2 people gauging each other and you want to see how it proceeds. The paintings by Ernie Barnes in the museum scenes are works of true art.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

LeZee

Dec 24, 2016

First date with a chocolate ice cream girl.

A small film with a small success. It was entirely shot in the two weeks of time. Directed by a first timer, it tells the true story of Barack Obama and Michelle Robinson's first date back in the 1989 during working for a big law firm in Chicago.First date with a chocolate ice cream girl.

A small film with a small success. It was entirely shot in the two weeks of time. Directed by a first timer, it tells the true story of Barack Obama and Michelle Robinson's first date back in the 1989 during working for a big law firm in Chicago. Like how Michelle denied it is a date as co-workers should not engage in a close relationship. While Obama is trying to win her heart, the film reveals their day, what they talk and do and how it all ends.

This is not a biographical film I was expecting. I mean I was looking forward to the film, but not this kind of simple story. This looks like another version of 'Before Sunrise', and I won't be surprised if they make a sequel in a similar fashion, maybe a trilogy. So this is a one day event when they were young and passionate about their work, somewhat they both liked each other, though they knew their limits. The writer-come-director confirms all the events from his film really occurred, but not all of them in just one date.

The actors were good, especially I liked Parker Sawyers as Barack Obama. For me, this is not a great film, but decently made one. Obama fans might like it, though you could try it if you like date film in a realistic manner. It's Obama's early life, so there's nothing about his present politics or the president post, except talking about their future plans. But most of the film about between them and their life, like how they grew how, what they love and loved, those kind of stuffs. So I hope you watch it with a low expectation.

6.5/10… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

DawdlingPoet

Nov 26, 2021

This is a relatively arty film at times, with Barrack and Michelle taking in an art exhibition and commenting about how coloured people were regarded by society at certain times. Tonally, its quite a subtle film but I liked that and it makes sense, given obviously the characters have no ideaThis is a relatively arty film at times, with Barrack and Michelle taking in an art exhibition and commenting about how coloured people were regarded by society at certain times. Tonally, its quite a subtle film but I liked that and it makes sense, given obviously the characters have no idea what is to become of them in future years (i.e. becoming US President and First Lady). Its a somewhat thoughtful film, which shows Barack's public speaking already being quite good, his ability to relate to others and to enthuse people to join a local cause and make a difference is depicted. I enjoyed this film and would recommend it to others.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

risonyeong

Jun 26, 2021

i am no obama's fan but this movie is well written script and quite smart that it was condensed into 1 day, prequel to his successful historic campaign.
the gist of his character and michelle's is cleverly introduced, keeping the tension of the romance tight. this show is appropriate becausei am no obama's fan but this movie is well written script and quite smart that it was condensed into 1 day, prequel to his successful historic campaign.
the gist of his character and michelle's is cleverly introduced, keeping the tension of the romance tight. this show is appropriate because we aldy know what happened but the writer is so good to extract the history which may not be so well known to us. thank God the editing is very polished to keep it at a short 1 hr plus movie.
the only thing that make me cringed from giving a 7 is the lady acting as michelle. i thought michelle is very articulate, friendly and joyful. the actress seemed like she had a short brain and so pompous. nauseating.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

marcopoloneck

Aug 31, 2016

Save your money. This film like the real thing is a big dud. I let a friend talk me into going and from the very start it was just simply stupid. I think America is ready for these two to move on.

5 of 9 users found this helpful54

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