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Barry is a biographical drama movie that follows the life of a young Barack Obama, also known as Barry, during his college years at Columbia University in 1981. Directed by Vikram Gandhi and released in 2016, the movie explores the struggles and challenges that Obama faced as he tried to navigate his identity, race, and place in society.

The movie begins with a 20-year-old Obama (played by Devon Terrell) arriving in New York City as a transfer student from Occidental College in California. He is still figuring out his identity as a mixed-race child of a Kenyan father and an American mother who grew up in Hawaii. Obama is hoping to find his place at Columbia and to connect with other African American students, but he feels like an outsider in almost every situation.

As the film progresses, we see Obama struggling to fit in with a circle of African American friends who are more radical and confrontational than he is. He also has a hard time connecting with his white classmates, including his Jewish roommate and future business partner, Saleem (played by Avi Nash). Meanwhile, he is also struggling to maintain a long-distance relationship with his girlfriend from Occidental.

Throughout the movie, Obama is grappling with questions of identity and belonging. He is torn between his African and American roots and feels like he is constantly trying to prove something to everyone around him. Anya Taylor-Joy plays Charlotte, a white woman who becomes Obama's love interest and confidant. Charlotte provides a different perspective on Obama's struggles, challenging him to own his identity and find his voice.

The film also explores the racial tensions of the time period. Obama witnesses police brutality against black students and experiences racism from both white and black people. While he is initially hesitant to participate in any kind of activism, he eventually becomes involved in the Black Student Union and starts to find his voice as a leader.

Devon Terrell delivers a standout performance as a young Barack Obama, capturing the future president's charm, intelligence, and awkwardness. He is able to convey both the uncertainty and the determination that Obama must have felt at this pivotal moment in his life. Anya Taylor-Joy also shines as Charlotte, adding depth and complexity to a character that could have easily been a one-dimensional love interest.

Jason Mitchell plays a supporting role as a Black Student Union leader named PJ, who becomes a mentor to Obama. Mitchell brings a lot of emotional depth to the character, conveying PJ's passion for activism and his frustration with the slow progress of change.

Overall, Barry is an engaging and thought-provoking film that provides a fascinating glimpse into the formative years of a future world leader. The movie offers a nuanced portrayal of the challenges faced by a young Barack Obama as he grapples with his identity and finds his voice. It is an inspiring and timely tale that reminds us of the power of activism, the importance of identity, and the potential for greatness that lies within each of us.

Barry is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 44 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0 and a MetaScore of 72.