Streaming: Netflix (Subscription)
Rating: PG
Becoming is a heartfelt documentary exploring an inside look at what it’s like to be Michelle Obama. This intimate documentary examines Michelle’s life, her goals and her ability to connect with others while she is on her 2019 book tour for ‘Becoming.’ Directed by Nadia Hallgren, featuring Barack Obama, Gayle King, Oprah and many other recognizable personalities, Becoming is an inspiring portrait of the former First Lady. Nadia Hallgren was also the cinematographer of the documentary and followed Michelle Obama through her 34-city book tour after the book was published. The documentary features footage of Obama’s travels, talk shows and her work while she was the First Lady. The film was released to Netflix in 2020 and was nominated for four Emmy Awards and a Grammy Award. The reception of the film was generally favorable, although the film doesn’t get as personal as some viewers might have hoped, Becoming offers an uplifting look at a pivotal part of Michelle Obama’s public life. This documentary focused on the connections she made with the American people and her own backstory, through the editing and cinematography the viewers are able to see Michelle Obama in a new light that hadn’t been exposed before.
Becoming does a wonderful job portraying how Michelle Obama connects with the average American, the film follows her while she’s talking with people and Hallgren truly captured her charisma. Becoming not only focuses on how she connects with young Black women across the United States, but it also shows how she connects with all women and how much of an impact she has made as an inspiring individual. One part of the film in particular follows a young Mexican woman in Chicago who spoke with Michelle in a discussion. She questions why she was even allowed to speak with the former First Lady after talking about her own backstory and Michelle responds, “Your story, with highs and lows, what seems so ordinary and seems like nothing to you, is your power.” This moment shows how Michelle became such a positive figure to all women, she uplifts and reassures others even when they think they shouldn’t have a place at the table. In addition to inspiring young women, there is a part of the film where Michelle Obama is talking with Black elders, they tell her how much her presence in the White House means to them and how, “she will always be their First Lady.” This is moving because it highlights how inspirational Michelle Obama has been generationally to women.
Becoming also features Michelle Obama’s backstory and shows how much Barack’s presidency has positively and negatively affected her personal life. The film exposes how much the family of the President is affected and how much of a toll it takes on everyone being under the spotlight of the American people. It also highlights how connected she is with her family as well as how much they mean to her. Becoming includes photographs from Michelle Obama’s childhood as she describes each memory. She also talks about her father passing and how much he meant to her as well as the difficulty she faced when dealing with the loss of such an important person in her life. This intimate depiction of Michelle allows the audience to understand her and relate to her on a different level that wouldn’t be accomplished in any other format. The film also interviews people around Michelle providing a personal perspective of her through the eyes of her loved ones. This portrayal allows Michelle to speak her truth but also connect with others who might need encouragement through their own journeys.
Becoming was edited by Erin Casper, Nathan Punwar, and Aaron Wickenden, one thing to note about the editing is that it assisted in representing Michelle Obama in a positive light while capturing her playful personality. The way Michelle’s childhood photographs were displayed also added to her personality, the images shown create a path of Michelle’s life that is interesting and sincere. In one part of the film, past photos are shown while Michelle and her family are recounting memories, this allows the audience to reflect on how Michelle is similar in more ways than one to the average American. In addition to the photos portraying a personal story of Michelle, the editors highlight the personal struggles Michelle had with critics while she was campaigning and after she became the First Lady. The editors chose to juxtapose an image of Michelle with the critic’s voices discussing her in a negative fashion, this part of the film truly humanized Michelle and showed the heavy weight she carried on her shoulders during that time. This is not to make the audience feel sorry for her, but instead to understand how she rose above those critics and how she followed her own advice, “When they go low, you go high.” This is a special moment in the film because it encapsulates what Michelle is about and how she has become such an inspirational figure.
Becoming not only makes the audience miss the Obama presidency, but it also reminds the audience of what a true leader looks like. This film shows how important it is to have people with integrity in the White House to properly represent the American people. Throughout the film Michelle reflects upon where she came from and how she became who she is today, this aspect of the film teaches young women everywhere to aspire to greatness. Through the editing, cinematography, and personal reflection, this film allows the audience to relate to Michelle in a positive manner and makes them wish she was still our First Lady. In case you are feeling down, need inspirational motivation or just want to remember a more positive political time, I highly recommend this heartfelt documentary.