Southside with You Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A dude spends all day trying to convince his coworker that it’s *totally* not a date, even though they’re doing date-like activities, and she’s having none of it until free ice cream is involved.

🍿 Southside with You: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Meeting and Initial Reluctance

In the summer of 1989 in Chicago, Barack Obama, a Harvard Law student and summer intern, attempts to woo Michelle Robinson, a junior lawyer at the same firm. Michelle insists their outing isn’t a date, fearing it’s inappropriate due to their professional relationship. Despite her reluctance, she agrees to spend the day with him, attending a community meeting.

A Day of Shared Experiences

The day unfolds with a visit to an art exhibit featuring Ernie Barnes, where Barack displays his knowledge of African-American art and culture. They share lunch in a park, delving into personal backgrounds. Barack discusses his absent father and mixed heritage, while Michelle reveals her family’s struggles and her own ambitions. They engage in thoughtful conversations, challenging each other’s perspectives on work, community, and identity.

Confrontations and Connection

At the community meeting, Barack’s charisma shines as he delivers an inspiring speech, impressing Michelle. They later attend a screening of Spike Lee’s ‘Do the Right Thing,’ sparking a debate about race and social justice. An encounter with a law firm partner further complicates Michelle’s concerns about their ‘not-date’ affecting her career. The day culminates with a shared ice cream cone and a first kiss, marking a turning point in their relationship.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Michelle Robinson (Tika Sumpter): A determined and ambitious young lawyer who is initially reluctant to date Barack, her intern, due to concerns about her career.
• Barack Obama (Parker Sawyers): A charismatic and intelligent Harvard Law student working as a summer associate, determined to win over Michelle despite her initial reservations.
• Marian Robinson (Vanessa Bell Calloway): Michelle’s supportive mother, who gently teases her daughter about her ‘not a date’ outing.
• Fraser Robinson III (Phillip Edward Van Lear): Michelle’s father, who teases her about making herself look pretty for her outing, but is generally supportive

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Michelle Robinson: “This is not a date. How’s it gonna look if I start dating the first cute black guy who walks through the firm’s doors? It would be tacky.” – Michelle initially resists Barack’s advances, emphasizing professional boundaries.
• Barack Obama: “You think I’m cute?” – Barack responds playfully after Michelle claims that it isn’t a date and she doesn’t date the first cute black guy who walks through the door.
• Barack Obama: “See, I think we should look at the situation from the councilman’s point of view.” – Barack presents a thoughtful strategy during the community meeting, demonstrating his political acumen.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1.5M
• Domestic Gross: $6.3M
• Worldwide Gross: $6.6M

💥 Southside with You Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into this expecting a politically-charged snooze-fest, but it was surprisingly charming. The actors portraying Barack and Michelle *really* nailed their mannerisms. It felt like watching a play – just dialogue-driven and intimate. I particularly loved the art museum scene; it showed a side of Obama I hadn’t really considered. It was a simple story, but effective.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of romantic dramas”
  • “Those interested in Barack and Michelle Obama’s story”
  • “Viewers who appreciate dialogue-driven films”
  • “Those seeking a feel-good, inspirational story”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Smoking”
  • “Discussions of racial issues”
  • “Mild language”

Professional Reviews

• CinemaGardens.com: “Southside with You captures a tale as old as time: boy likes girl, girl’s not having it, boy tricks girl into date, girl keeps saying it’s not a date, and boy has to put on the charm in order to win girl’s heart. Very quiet, but well structured. A real good portrait of an iconic love affair.
• Rama’s Screen: “Writer/director Richard Tanne’s ‘Southside With You’ is a sweet, wonderful, and romantic first date film. It’s just two people walking and talking, like Richard Linklater’s ‘Before Sunrise,’ and so you’re invested in the characters, you get to know them just as they themselves get to know each other. Great performances by its two leads.
• cinemusefilms.com: “This is a thoughtfully constructed, well-acted, and thoroughly charming film. Parker Sawyers carries off the role convincingly with uncanny resemblance to Barack’s mannerisms and style of speech. This is a warm, intelligent, well told story about two people who became a global power-couple in celebrity politics.

Audience Reactions

Viewers were captivated by the actors’ ability to embody the real-life figures.: People appreciated the movie’s focus on conversation and its intimate portrayal of a first date.

Viewers appreciated the subtle approach to racial and cultural themes.: Audience enjoyed the film’s lack of over-the-top drama, making it insightful and intelligent.

Overall Consensus: A charming and well-acted movie that captures the intimacy of a first date, but may not appeal to viewers seeking high drama or political commentary.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director Richard Tanne has stated that all of the main events in the film, except for the community meeting (which happened later), did occur on the Obamas’ first date.”
• “The movie was filmed in just 15 days.”
• “John Legend co-produced the film and wrote the song ‘Start’ specifically for the movie.”

🖥️ How to Watch Southside with You?

Southside with You is available for streaming on platforms like Prime Video and Apple TV, where it can be rented or purchased. Check local listings for cable availability. Physical copies of the film on Blu-ray and DVD are widely available from retailers such as Amazon and Best Buy.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Southside with You, you might like these similar films:

• Before Sunrise (1995): Features extensive dialogue and the development of a relationship over the course of a single day, mirroring the structure of ‘Southside with You’.
• Loving (2016): Explores an important historical interracial relationship, highlighting the personal and societal challenges they face.
• Barry (2016): Another biographical drama that focuses on a period in Barack Obama’s life, specifically his time in college.

🛒 Southside with You Related Products

• Becoming by Michelle Obama: A deeply personal account of Michelle Obama’s life, tracing her roots and her journey to becoming First Lady, offering insights into her values, struggles, and triumphs.
• Barack Obama: Dreams from My Father: An inspiring memoir where Barack Obama recounts his childhood, his search for identity, and his political awakening, providing essential context for his life and values.
• The Obama Years: The Power of Words: Celebrate the eloquence and vision of Barack Obama with this beautifully designed book featuring his most memorable speeches and addresses.
• The Obama Portraits: Immerse yourself in the groundbreaking portraits of Barack and Michelle Obama by Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald, capturing their unique essence and contributions to American history.

🎧 Soundtrack

Southside with You features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Start” – performed by John Legend

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Obama Cries While Talking About Michelle Obama

Want to see the real Barack Obama get emotional about Michelle? This clip is so touching and shows just how deep their connection is, which is pretty amazing to see considering the film is based on their first date.

✨ Rate