The Blindside

The Blind Side

After gaining success with "The Rookie" in 2002, director John Lee Hancock succeeds in creating another sports drama––a feel-good movie based on the true story of Michael Oher, the Baltimore Raven's offensive left tackle.

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written by Sam Thomas

January 12, 2010

After gaining success with “The Rookie” in 2002, director John Lee Hancock succeeds in creating another sports drama––a feel-good movie based on the true story of Michael Oher, the Baltimore Raven’s offensive left tackle.

“The Blind Side” casts familiar faces Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw who play Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy. They, along with their children Collins (Lily Collins) and SJ (Jae Head), are a wealthy white Southern family who take in an underprivileged and undereducated African-American teenager named Michael Oher, played by newcomer Quintin Aaron.

Bullock gives a spectacular performance by playing a domineering, yet loving and somewhat comical mother. Her Christian hospitality inspires her to take Oher into their comfortable Memphis mansion while giving him the experience of being in a real family.

Though Aaron is new to acting, he plays the role of quiet, innocent, protective Oher like a veteran. He will do anything for his family–he saves SJ in a car accident and confronts a drug dealer when his sister is being objectified, and throughout the movie teaches the Tuohys a lesson in the vulnerabilities and needs that every family possesses.

Though there is a bit of sugar-coating on the emotional side of this movie, it depicts a remarkable story of a courageous woman who leads her giant of a son through a school he seemingly doesn’t belong.

Leigh Anne Tuohy becomes Oher’s inspiration for football; he is a harmless guy who wouldn’t hurt anyone and even feels uncomfortable hitting people on the football field. Leigh Anne inspires him to think about his team as his family, and this causes him to become a great player due to his instincts to protect his family despite the situation.

“The Blind Side” aims to entertain a wide variety of audiences using comedy, sports, and drama without overdoing it in any of these catergories. It is the inspirational film that we feel we have seen the plot from at some time or another, but somehow also feels very genuine and authentic.

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