The Blind Side
Based on a true story, "The Blind Side" is the Cinderella story of NFL player, Michael Oher, growing up as a poor undereducated African-American taken in by a wealthy white family and shaped into one of the top high school football prospects in the country.
Based on a true story, “Blind Side” is the story of a poor, undereducated African American taken in by a wealthy white family and shaped into one of the top high school football prospects in the country. Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron) was shuffled through the foster system and school system for years after taken from his cocaine addicted mother. After wandering from house to house in Memphis, a friend of Oher’s direct family and a coach miraculously manage to convince the administrators of a prestigious private high school to accept the student with a 0.6 G.P.A. Later he is found by a wealthy Christian family, taken in and made a part of the family despite controversy.
Sandra Bullock plays Leigh Anne Tuohy, the kind-hearted, hard-ass wife, as well as mother of two kids. Tim McGraw plays Sean Tuohy, the somewhat submissive husband and father of the mild-mannered Collins (Lily Collins) and quick-witted S.J. (Jae Head).
Directed by John Lee Hancock, “The Blind Side” was based off of the book, “The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game” by Michael Lewis. The tone of the movie is different from typical movies. Though it is as serious as most other sports movies, it still makes room for jest and focuses less on the game itself and more on the relationships within a particular family, the school system and the racial and political issues that surround them. Even the music score lacks the intensity of, almost epic, music portrayed by movies like “Taking Back Sunday” and “Remember the Titans.“
The most interesting aspect of the movie is the characterization of each role. The story revolves around Michael Oher yet, ironically enough, he barely says more than a few sentences per scene. Despite this, his transition to happiness is evident by his subtle expressions. The newbie actor, Quinton Aaron has a grasp of facial expressions greater than acting veterans like the monotone Nicholas Cage and Keanu Reeves. In the beginning of the movie, his face shows constant worry and pensiveness, by the middle and end of the movie the happiness and peace he feels is clearly and constantly expressed with subtle facial expressions. The director was successful in portraying Oher as one who is undereducated and piteous without being annoying or reaching the stereotypical “big, fat, black kid” that has become a constant in the movie and real world. Hancock is successful at keeping the composition of characterization leveled.
Though the movie emphasizes Oher and Mama Tuoy, it is a tad bit surprising that Quinton is understated when it comes to the promotion of the movie itself being that it is his debut major film performance and he plays the main character. Aside from that, “The Blind Side” is a perfect balance of several political and racial issues beautifully emphasized by vivid characters.
(Photo credit: IMDB)
