The sensational director, Dawn Porter, did it again with another entertaining and powerful documentary, The Way I See It! Porter is a genius at creating films based on inspiring images of her subjects and letting the pictures tell the story. The timing of this film is perfect because of upcoming Presidential elections and how it shows historic moments in the lives of past respectable Presidents through photos from the eyes of official White House photographer Pete Souza.
The Way I See It is a documentary based on Souza's New York Times #1 bestsellers, Obama: An Intimate Portrait and Shade: A Tale of Two Presidents. It gives an inside look of two powerful Presidents in U.S. history, Barack Obama and Ronald Reagan, through photographs taken by Pete Souza. It tells the story through clips from interviews and unique photos and shows the responsibilities of being the person holding the most powerful position on Earth.
Pete Souza was able to get an "up close and personal" look at monumental and intimate moments of former President Barack Obama and President Ronald Reagan during their terms. The setting of the film is at the White House. The scenes are very realistic because they are based on factual events. The documentary includes heartwarming clips and moments such as when these Presidents gave their speeches while running for office, their lives outside of being Presidents and just having fun. The music in this film really helps drive the story.
I love that The Way I See It did not feel like just a documentary meant to show how America is in the state it is in now. The message of the film is that we have to look at our past to understand how we get to a certain place in life. While the film doesn't really talk about President Trump, it shows that our country was in a better place before he became President. I rate The Way I See It 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18. Adults that like documentaries and history will also love this film. You can find this film in theaters September 18, 2020 and premiering on MSNBC October 9, 2020.
By Tiana S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 10
I love this documentary. Dawn Porter knocks it out of the park once again with her insightful showcase of the talented Pete Souza's photojournalism work. The behind the scenes shots of Obama, from the time he was a new senator in DC to his 8 year term as President of the USA, you see the humanness of this man. You see him as a husband, father and friend. You see how much he cared for his country, how deeply he felt the responsibilities of the Presidency. Some of the photos were familiar to me, many were not. The shot of the young black kid touching Obama's hair is one that sticks in my mind forever. The idea that he would bend over so this young boy could feel his hair and know that it was the same as his own - who does that? What world leader does that? Only Obama. When he goes to the Baptist church to the funeral of those that were murdered and begins to sing Amazing Grace, I almost lost it. I have seen clips of this before, but somehow Porter's documentary shows it to us in a new wry. Yes, I love him, and cherish the precious years that he was our President. Here's hoping that we will again experience such civility in our government and soon. Reviewed by Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
Former Chief Official White House Photographer Pete Souza's journey as a person with top secret clearance and total access to the President.
You
too can become a film critic!
KIDS FIRST! Goes Local:
Submit a review & win!
