Netflix has released the very first film produced by Barack and Michelle Obama entitled “Leave The World Behind.” The movie is currently the top trending search on the platform. “Leave The World Behind” is based on a book of the same title, written by Rumaan Alam. The general plot of the movie is about a covert cyber attack and how a group of strangers cope with the events as they unfold. Reviews and general opinions of the movie are all over the place. Some say the movie is a work of art while others say it is clickbait turn-and-burn streaming service trash.
“Leave The World Behind” stars Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke, and Myha’la. The setting is Long Island, New York. Julia Roberts’ family rents a house to get away from New York City over the weekend. Mahershala Ali and his 26-year-old daughter played by Myha’la show up at the house seeking shelter at night. They own the house and offer Julia Roberts’ family money for the inconvenience of having them intrude on their rental time. The initial meeting between the two causes distrust and tension, which could be interpreted by movie watchers as racism. The racism element comes to a head when Myha’la’s character says that white people shouldn’t be trusted in times of social disorder.
The movie was full of dialogue but not much action. The opening sequence of a large ship running aground a beach full of tourists was about as much action that happened throughout the entire film. The premise of a cyber attack without a definite point of origin is a great platform upon which to build an action-packed movie, but that is not really what happened here. “Leave The World Behind” was more about how a grand total of thirteen people (I counted) would behave in a panic-inducing situation without a clear way to resolve it.
SOURCES:
Obama-backed film Leave the World Behind sparks controversy for negative comment about white people – Entertainment News
Obama Faces Backlash for Film’s ‘Warning’ About White People
Fox News Loses Its Mind Over Obama’s ‘Anti-White’ Netflix Film
Barack Obama produces first fiction movie for Netflix, gave extensive notes to director for cyberattack plot
Michelle Obama Hits CAA After ‘Leave the World Behind’ Dominates Netflix
Barack Obama Gave Critical Feedback on ‘Leave the World Behind’
Obamas’ Vision for Hollywood Company: ‘This Isn’t Like Masterpiece Theatre’ – The New York Times
