2016: Obama’s America Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A guy tries to psychoanalyze the President based on his dead dad’s dreams, resulting in a very serious game of ‘connect the dots’ with global implications.

🍿 2016: Obama’s America: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Dinesh D’Souza’s Personal Journey

The documentary opens with Dinesh D’Souza drawing parallels between his life and Barack Obama’s. He recounts his experience as a young immigrant from India arriving in America and his involvement with conservative circles at Dartmouth College. D’Souza juxtaposes his experience with Obama’s rise to prominence, highlighting their shared age, Ivy League educations, and mixed-race backgrounds.

Obama’s Influences and Mentors

D’Souza delves into the figures who he argues have shaped Obama’s worldview. These include Frank Marshall Davis, a communist poet; Bill Ayers, a former radical; and Jeremiah Wright, Obama’s pastor known for controversial sermons. The documentary suggests these figures instilled anti-colonialist sentiments and a critical view of American exceptionalism in Obama.

The Anti-Colonialist Thesis

The central argument of the film is that Obama is driven by an anti-colonialist ideology inherited from his absent father, Barack Obama Sr. D’Souza contends that Obama’s policies, such as delaying the Keystone Pipeline, supporting Argentina’s claim to the Falkland Islands, and perceived inaction on Iran’s nuclear program, are motivated by a desire to weaken American influence and redistribute wealth globally.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Dinesh D’Souza (Dinesh D’Souza): The filmmaker who investigates Barack Obama’s past and speculates on his potential impact on America.
• Barack Obama (Barack Obama (archive footage)): The President of the United States whose past and influences are examined to understand his policies.
• Barack Obama Sr. (N/A): Obama’s father, whose anti-colonialist views are portrayed as a major influence on the president.
• Paul Vitz (Paul Vitz): A psychologist who provides insights on the influence of absentee fathers.
• Shelby Steele (Shelby Steele): A Senior Fellow at Hoover Institution, offering perspective on race and Obama’s election.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Dinesh D’Souza: “The future is in your hands.” – The closing line of the documentary, urging viewers to consider the implications of Obama’s potential second term.
• Barack Obama: “(Reading from his book) Dreams From My Father” – Obama’s own words are used throughout the film to illustrate his background and influences.
• Shelby Steele: “Basically, the reason he was elected is because he is Black.” – Steele’s controversial view on how race played a role in Obama’s election.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2,500,000
• Domestic Gross: $33,449,086
• Worldwide Gross: $33,449,086

💥 2016: Obama’s America Reviews

Personal Review

As someone who went into this film hoping for a balanced view, I left feeling like I’d watched a stretched-out political ad. While some of the historical background was interesting, the leaps in logic to connect Obama’s actions to his father’s supposed anti-colonial rage felt forced and unconvincing. The film’s dramatic music and ominous tone made it hard to take seriously, like I was watching a political thriller instead of a documentary. Ultimately, it was more entertaining than insightful.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Viewers interested in American politics”
  • “Those seeking a conservative perspective on Barack Obama’s presidency”
  • “Individuals interested in documentaries with a strong political message”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Political propaganda”
  • “Strong opinions and controversial viewpoints”
  • “Historical revisionism (potentially misleading information)”

Professional Reviews

• The Wrap: “D’Souza’s film is less about Obama’s America and more about D’Souza’s America – a place where fears are amplified and simple explanations are provided for complex problems. While visually slick, the film relies on speculation more than evidence, making it a questionable source of insight.
• Variety: “D’Souza creates an elaborate theory, but the connections feel tenuous. It’s more like a political argument than a coherent analysis of Obama’s policies. Worth watching if you already agree, but unlikely to sway undecided voters.

Audience Reactions

Viewers appreciated that the film offered an alternative perspective on Obama’s motivations.: Many felt the movie provided food for thought, regardless of political affiliation.

Some found the documentary biased and filled with unsubstantiated claims.: A significant portion of the audience criticized the film’s heavy-handed approach and perceived distortions of facts.

Overall Consensus: A politically charged documentary that presents a controversial perspective on Barack Obama’s presidency, eliciting strong reactions ranging from praise for its alternative viewpoint to criticism for its perceived bias and factual inaccuracies.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is based on Dinesh D’Souza’s book ‘The Roots of Obama’s Rage’.”
• “Dinesh D’Souza draws parallels between his own life and Barack Obama’s, highlighting their similar ages, Ivy League educations, marriages in the same year, and mixed-race backgrounds.”

🖥️ How to Watch 2016: Obama’s America?

As a documentary released in 2012, viewing options for ‘2016: Obama’s America’ may be limited. Check streaming services like Prime Video, Apple TV, or Tubi for availability. Digital purchase options might be available through platforms like Amazon or Google Play. Availability may vary depending on your region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed 2016: Obama’s America, you might like these similar films:

• Hillary’s America (2016): Another partisan documentary by Dinesh D’Souza, examining the life and political career of Hillary Clinton.
• Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004): A controversial documentary by Michael Moore that critiqued the Bush administration’s response to the 9/11 attacks.
• Trump Card (2020): Another documentary by Dinesh D’Souza supporting Donald Trump’s polictial view.

🛒 2016: Obama’s America Related Products

• Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance: Obama’s autobiography provides insight into his early life, influences, and personal journey. It offers a deeper understanding of the man behind the political figure.
• Dinesh D’Souza’s ‘Death of a Nation’ DVD: Explore D’Souza’s later work, drawing parallels between Lincoln and Trump. Delve into historical analogies and conservative viewpoints on American politics.
• Barack Obama ‘Hope’ Poster: A symbol of the 2008 campaign, this iconic poster captures the spirit of hope and change associated with Obama’s rise to presidency. Perfect for collectors and history enthusiasts.
• Obama Collectible Coin: Limited edition commemorative coin celebrating Barack Obama’s presidency, featuring detailed imagery and historical significance.

🎧 Soundtrack

2016: Obama’s America features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Sing for Change” – performed by Kathy Sawada

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Obama’s Half-Brother in Anti-Obama Movie

Did you know Obama’s half-brother was in this film? This video breaks down the news and gives you a little background on why that’s pretty wild, considering the movie’s subject!

✨ Rate