Barry (2016)

Now that the Obama administration comes to an end we are all looking back with our revisionist history processing what we experienced. It turns out none of the garbage predicted in Obama's America (a right wing take down film which barely veiled its racism) came true. What is true is that this period in history will be examined and explored for the depth of its impact.

As will the man. Already we've seen his relationship with First Lady Michelle Obama explored in the film Southside With You and now we have a dramatized exploration of a man coming into his own. Barry focuses on Obama's college years and posits this is the essentially formative period for the man who would eventually revolutionize a nation. It's argument, that Barack (Barry) Obama truly began to face the systems and practices which he would eventually challenge and is pushed on to his eventually course, is well made. Barry is both fascinating deconstruction of the American state, and entertaining biopic.

At the centre of this is Devon Terrell who pulls off one of those performances which both imitates the real life person he is playing, and creates a truly original character. "Non-fiction" isn't truth. There is always interpretation, perspective, agenda, in any "based on real events" movie. The essential difference between propaganda and historical chronicle is the honesty with which the subject is explored. Barry succeeds both in Terrell's performance and writer Adam Mansbach and director Vikram Ghandi's approach to truth.

Barry is effective in the way it shows its audience the challenges Barry faces, from the microagressions to the insurmountable barriers. It breaks down exactly the kind of nation the USA was in the Reagan era both its beauty, its horrors, and its vast in between. It also demonstrates quite effectively just what an accomplishment his election truly is.

This is an all American story. Not in the way blind patriots like to think of the all American story which glorifies at the cost of truth, but in the way it explores a nation through the eyes and experiences of one man, a man who ends up being one of the most consequential men in that nation's history.  It is beautifully filmed, richly performed, and a delightfully watchable story. 

Netflix has some winners and losers in its stumble towards producing original films and this is definitely the former.

Barry
Starring: Devon Terrell, Ashley Judd
Director: Vikram Ghandi
Writer: Adam Mansbach