The Blind Side (2009)

THE MOVIE: The Blind Side (2009)

MOVIE SLOGAN: Based on the Extraordinary True Story.

THE MAJOR PLAYERS:
* SANDRA BULLOCK – Leigh Anne Tuohy (You know her from “Miss Congeniality”, and most recently “The Proposal”.)
* TIM McGRAW – Sean Tuohy (You know him as the hit country singer and “Friday Night Lights”)
* QUINTON AARON – “Big Mike” Michael Oher (You know him as Q from “Be Kind Rewind”)


BEST QUOTE(S): “You should get to know your players, Burt. He tested 98% in protective instincts. I said you can thank me later…. It’s later, Burt.” --Leigh Anne Tuohy
OR
“Who would’ve thought that we'd have a black son before we knew a Democrat?” – Sean Tuohy

WHY THE GUYS WILL SEE IT: Well, there’s football in it.

WHY THE LADIES WILL SEE IT: It’s a Cinderella story. And most of us like Sandra Bullock’s acting.

MARKETED AS: A sports Rags-to-Riches story. (And actually executed as marketed.)

SYNOPSIS: This is the story of the start of Michael Oher, the All American NFL football player, who without the generosity of a wealthy family, may have never had his start. If you don’t know the story of “Big Mike” Michael Oher, it’s a real life Cinderella story. But anyone who has seen the previews should know that it’s a Cinderella story, so I’m not really giving anything away.

Michael Oher grew up in the projects of Tennessee. A private Christian high school takes a chance on Michael Oher. Of course, their pretense is that it would be un-Christian-like to not accept him, but really, you can see the athletics coach salivating and foaming at the mouth to accept Michael Oher at the school. There’s only one problem, Michael Oher’s IQ tested at 80% which puts him in the 6th percentile for intelligence. Without the grades, Michael Oher would not be eligible to play sports anyway. But meanwhile, with a science teacher taking some extra time making sure that he comprehends the material, and with the Tuohy family taking him in, giving him a roof over his head, clothes on his back, and food in his stomach, he becomes the school's best offensive left tackle. And the football field is where “Big Mike’” belongs considering he tested in the 98th percentile in protective instincts.

MY THOUGHTS: If you’re reading this, you may know by now that The Blind Side has been nominated for Picture of the Year by the Academy. To put it bluntly, there’s a reason it was nominated.

I hate to say it, but considering that the movie is all about a current football player in the NFL, this is a complete chick flick. I mean, it’s great because guys will probably drag their girlfriends, thinking that it will be all footbally, but it’s really a touching, feel good movie that the girlfriends will be able to appreciate. It left me wanting to give a huge hug to Michael Oher, who seems like the sweetest teddy bear there is. (Quinton Aaron does an amazing job, and gives a very honest performance.)

Sandra Bullock gives a surprisingly great presentation as Leigh Anne Tuohy. I’m so used to seeing her as a slapstick romantic comedy actress, so I appreciate the change of pace. Leigh Anne Tuohy seems like a complicated woman, anyway. Or so she is portrayed. She has wealth and carries herself with class, but there are times where she is pushy, and really just a big bitch. And Sandra delivers all the layers of this onion with conviction. Same goes for Tim McGraw who plays Sean Tuohy. I’m so used to seeing singers turned actors as a disaster. (Anyone remember Jessica Simpson in “Employee of the Month”?) Tim McGraw’s role wasn’t large, but he was a great supporting actor to Sandra Bullock.

Overall, the acting was great, the story is compelling and each scene where Michael Oher shows his appreciation and gratitude for clothes, food, and even a bed received leaves you willing yourself to get through the movie without grabbing for a tissue. Although, I failed. I had to grab for a tissue a few times.

THE VERDICT: This was a touchdown for me with a two point conversion. It was worth it to see in the theater, and I will definitely add this to my DVD collection.