I'm an Obama supporter and I an admirer of the First Lady. I also think that it's important that more black-orientated movies are made, including romantic dramas.
That said, I'm not sure what is so special about Obama and Michelle's early romance. Likewise, I don't see what's so special about any US president's romantic life, Clinton excepted (and that's for reasons that relate to his presidency).
There's an inherent interest in seeing a famous figure in their youth (see John Ford's "Young Mr. Lincoln" for one of the great examples)... it helps humanize the person when you can see them in a context mostly divorced from how we know them. It makes them more relateable.
And at any rate, the reviews have been very positive. That by itself would piqué my interest.
One critic suggested that they should turn the movie into a "Before Sunrise"- style series. I like that idea... maybe have another movie on Election Night 2008 and a third during his second term.
I find Oscar Bait infinitely more interesting than ticket bait
It bothers me though, because ultimately I only care about my leader's politics and competency to lead. Whether they're black/white, male/female, rich/poor, married/single etc. is of no concern of mine, and if anything might serve to alienate them from certain portions of the public, when they are, at their best, a unifying figure whose backstory should almost be irrelevant.
I'd only be interested in a potential president/prime-minister's backstory if there was any suggestion of criminality or egregious impropriety, which should therefore rule them out of high office but otherwise I prefer my leader to be a blank-slate (that being said, Obama's African-American heritage was a plus, simply because it demonstrated that there was finally no glass ceiling within politics as far as race was concerned; likewise, irrespective of what one thinks of Hillary's politics, her win in November would represent a major milestone for women in politics). But ultimately, I support Obama because of his politics; not the colour of his skin, not where he grew up and certainly not how charming and sweet his courtship of Michelle may or may not have been (if anything that kind of stuff just puts me off).
I have as title for that movie - "Scary President".
shareI get your sentiment, but you are clouding your perspective with your feelings about politicians and your desire to be objective. Think of it this way, John Lennon's relationship with his sister-mother has no relevance to his music or people's appreciation of it. Yet, someone found the story compelling enough to make a movie about it because it reflected a not uncommon scenario but with a hook to draw an audience. So, someone heard the Obamas' first date story and was similarly inspired. It's a common form of quasi-historical/quasi-universal storytelling.
shareI want to see a movie about Obama's learning Koran in madrassas in foreign countries. He sure learned to love Islam there
shareHalf black. He's a mut, get it through your skull racist lol
shareThere's a spec script The White House that chronicles the 2008 election, told through a newly graduated journalist's eyes. I forgot the writer's name. I think it's something like Eric Hessel? Eric Hesselberg? I don't remember.
Although it focuses on Obama and later Biden, it's surprisingly sympathetic to John McCain (portrays as a noble family man who dislikes confrontations and disloyalty, and very protective of his family), Mitt Romney (a family man trapped in a battle of control between his warring advisors, pollsters and major donors) and Clinton (pragmatic and battle-scarred, but fair-minded and sometimes witty).
Sarah Palin is portrayed as a selfish attention-seeker, who's so carried away with fame and support that she repeatedly defies McCain to do things her way. Obama is portrayed as an intelligent but impatient man, who's forced to say nothing against several attempts to smear him and his family. Joe Biden is portrayed as a vain but charming "uncle".
The story is pretty intense, too. I had forgotten how ugly it was at times, like Palin's speeches at her rallies; John McCain's attempts to keep the Town Hall dialogue civilized; the Birther movement and the Tea Party antics; Romney's ongoing frustration with the media's misinterpretations of his comments, and Obama's growing impatience with the Birther movement.
It also revolves around the narrator-journalist's growing disillusionment when he witnesses TV news shows trying to outsensationalize each other to win better ratings, regardless of the ethics and principles of journalism.
Apparently, most producers like it, but say it's too soon and that they won't consider any of this type for another five or ten years.
The film you outline sounds way more interesting than this film about Barack and Michelle's first date. It's way, way too early for this type of film. They're not even out office and we haven't even had a chance to miss them yet. Plus, there isn't even a compelling, newsy reason to have such a piece. I've seen a preview of this film in the theater and it seems to be getting a puzzled -- what? -- response.
share