The Blind Side

The Blindside
Genre: Drama

Starring: Quinton Aaron, Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Kathy Bates

Release Date: November 20th 2009

*Contains Spoilers*










     I am, as a general rule, very skeptical about sports movies.  If you know me, you know I've watched maybe three football games in my life.  I've seen one live sporting event (KU Basketball back when Jacque Vaughn was on the team), and when I watch a trailer for a sports movie, I start having "Mighty Ducks" flashbacks.  So, when my wife decided she wanted to see this for her birthday, I felt like I was borderline for a pretty serious panic attack.  I went, though, and I am so glad I did.

     The Blind Side is the story of Michael Oher, who was a first draft NFL pick in 2009, and is now a defensive tackle for the Baltimore Ravens (thank you Wikipedia!).  The movies isn't about his still very short professional career, though, but about his life leading up to it, with some events and places fictionalized.  Growing up in Memphis, Tennessee, Oher was a ward of the state and a runaway from numerous foster homes.  He was a quiet boy of tremendous physical stature and, as far as anyone could tell, a severely limited intellect.  He had a 0.6 GPA upon entering the Wingate Christian School.

     Michael was your everyday hard luck case that you hear about or see about so often these days.  A broken home, an absent father, a mother addicted to drugs, and the victim of numerous other tragedies no young person should have to suffer.  When he is taken in by the Tuohy's, whose children also attend Wingate, they all expected it to be just a place to stay for a night or two.  Instead, their bond grows, and they eventually  welcome Michael fully into their family.  By the end of the film, he even calls Leigh Ann (the Tuohy matriarch) "Mama".

     Michael is played by Quinton Aaron.  This is Aaron's first big screen role, and that can easily be an intimidating experience for a young actor.  The pressure can affect the performance, and with a story this heavy, it would have been easy for his portrayal to turn withdrawn or maudlin, but Aaron does neither.  He shows confidence throughout the film, even when doing so means showing just how little confidence his character has.  From the opening credits to the last line, he stayed true to his character and drew me entirely into his world.  I felt for him, I (almost) cried for him, and I cheered for him like he was a close friend.  As the character grew and came out of his shell, it only got better.

     Sandra Bullock (who is nominated for an Oscar for her performance) plays Leigh Ann Tuohy.  Severe and standoffish, she is a wealthy woman who not only knows what she wants, but tends to get it.  There is another dimension to her, though, just below the surface.  One that is warm and giving, who happily changes a young man's life and asks for nothing in return.  This is a bit of a departure for Bullock, whose catalog of romantic comedies has often put her squarely on the opposite end of the spectrum from the aloof Tuohy.  Even in The Proposal, the humor overwhelmed the careful balance Bullock had between being the kind person, and the human wall.

     Not in The Blind Side.  Her flair, attitude, and innate kindness come across perfectly.  She is inspiring in her portrayal, and she absolutely deserves her nomination.

     Tim McGraw is Sean Tuohy, a successful restauranteur (albeit of chains like KFC and Taco Bell).  He is often the voice of reality and reason to Bullock's character, and as a result, he is often ignored.  But he is every bit as kind, and he has the added bonus of being able to be overtly humorous.  Kathy Bates is Miss Sue, Oher's tutor and friend, a unique woman who warns the Tuohy's "I'm a Democrat," and gives Michael the tools to become the student, and the man, that he wants to be.

     With a slew of actual NCAA coaches lending their names and faces, the film gains an added level of honesty and truth, reminding us that this story not only happened, but happened recently.  The movie concludes touchingly, with footage of the real Michael Oher being drafted into the NFL, as well as with photos of him with the real Tuohy family.

     I am so glad I gave it a chance, and I advise you to do the same.  Who knows, maybe one of you will be inspired to help the next Michael Oher.

Story: 4 out of 5
Performances: 4.5 out of 5
Overall Rating: 4.25 out of 5