A Real First Lady

She's a funny lady, a dancing, rocking lady, and the last real, truly loved first lady this country has had.

In 1 B.C. – Before Coronavirus – Michelle Obama embarked on a 33-stop book tour for her autobiog “Becoming.”

It was the greatest book tour in history, giant halls filled and joyous, followed and filmed by director Nadia Hallgren, who had the total access that doc makers dream of in making the film version of “Becoming” that is now on Netflix.

How many book tours have ever produced as many tears of joy and loss as this? None. Michelle Obama wanted to meet America's people and she was totally there for them, a hugging, laughing presence. From the oldest to the youngest, many of the mostly women – and mostly women of color – who experienced Michelle Obama in person simply gave way to shining bright tears of tribute to what America has lost. 

This was literally a tour de force. America's heart was on its sleeve and Michelle Obama took it in her hands gracefully and lovingly gave all of herself away. The beautiful, rapt, open faces of the many young women she talked to off-stage were full testament to the sway of this bold and challenging woman who embraces and shares the role model she is now and will always be. 

There is a scene shot from behind of the Obamas walking backstage, and in the most natural and loving way, Barack easily reaches for his wife's welcoming hand and they go forward together toward a waiting America.

Michelle Obama has South Chicago soul to spare. One of the first scenes has her riding in one of the ubiquitous big black SUVs that are the chariots of her life and she says she has to have her music – and have it she has, all through the film. She is as loose as the proverbial ashes, and will dance at the drop of a smooth beat. Even sitting, the music comes out in her body language and happily moving feet. 

There are more hugs in this movie than there have been in the entire Trump rent of the White House, which has become a drab, dark, paranoid hall of broken mirrors rather than the bright, welcoming home of the Obama family. There is palpable love throughout “Becoming.” Michelle took her bright, happy, smart mom on many of the tour stops and there is an easy grace and happiness between these two women that fills the screen. 

Michelle Obama could have been a hell of an actress. Her light comedy imitations of “that Barack Obama voice” are cool and funny and loving. There is a moving shot of Obama himself, bouquet in hand, moving backstage and then onstage, surprising his delighted wife. There is no chair for him – but what the hell, he just perches on the arm of his wife's chair and has himself a good old time. 

I cried the night Obama was elected. That family onstage – that beautiful, happy, loving family – brought tears of hope and optimism and joy that have dried into grief and sadness. 

Yet there lives in Michelle Obama the possibility of an America that will throw off the mantle of despair that is descending and lead us forward again to that bright shining city on the hill.