Review 296: The Blind Side
The Blind Side is unapologetically sentimental and moving to a fault, but its well told and executed fact based story and winning performance from Sandra Bullock so make this a must see feel good film.
Based on non-fiction book, The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis, Michael "Big Mike" Oher (Quinton Aaron) is a homeless black teen who has drifted out of the school system for years until one day when he's taken in by Leigh Ann Tuohy (Sandra Bullock) and her husband Sean (Tim McGraw). They eventually become his legal guardians thereby transforming both his life and theirs.
Michael's tremendous size and protective instincts make him a formidable force in American Football and with the help of his new family and devoted tutor Miss Sue (Kathy Bates), Michael soon realises his true potential as both a student and a football player.
The plot is a wonderfuly touching story of The Blind Side is that rare inspirational sports drama that actually inspires without actually being hampered down by traditional sports movie cliches. The whole films feels authentic without giving into melodrama.
The plot is a wonderfuly touching story of The Blind Side is that rare inspirational sports drama that actually inspires without actually being hampered down by traditional sports movie cliches. The whole films feels authentic without giving into melodrama.
Michael Oher was a homeless teen in Memphis who was taken in by a well-to-do white family and succeeds at escaping poverty and eventually evolved into one of the top prospects in the country. Leigh Ann's family was doing great, they were having all the success and joy in the world yet something was missing from their lives. Big Mike kind of filled in that space.
Writer director John Lee Hancock's direction is sensitive and the cinematography is winsome, the score by Carter Burwell is touchingly poignant, the costumes are terrific, the production is fantastic, the Tennessee setting has a
Sandra Bullock delivers an assertive, firm performance as Leigh Ann Tuohy. One of the most amazing things about her as both a mum and a character is that she took absolutely no nonsense from anyone. She manages to do what she wants to do, in the way she wants to do it. She doesn't care what it takes or how she has to do it; she does it her way. The central core of the film is the relationship between Mike and Leigh Ann.
Quinton Aaron is a true find in this film playing "Big Mike". The film beautifully builds him up as a kid from very poor surroundings and lowly beginnings as well as someone with a lot of disadvantages and yet with the help of Leigh Ann and her family percevers and ultimately suceeds academically and gets to play football professionally.
The always dependable Kathy Bates doesn't lag far behind playing "Miss Sue", an outspoken but kind private tutor hired to help Michael
Writer director John Lee Hancock's direction is sensitive and the cinematography is winsome, the score by Carter Burwell is touchingly poignant, the costumes are terrific, the production is fantastic, the Tennessee setting has a
Sandra Bullock delivers an assertive, firm performance as Leigh Ann Tuohy. One of the most amazing things about her as both a mum and a character is that she took absolutely no nonsense from anyone. She manages to do what she wants to do, in the way she wants to do it. She doesn't care what it takes or how she has to do it; she does it her way. The central core of the film is the relationship between Mike and Leigh Ann.
Quinton Aaron is a true find in this film playing "Big Mike". The film beautifully builds him up as a kid from very poor surroundings and lowly beginnings as well as someone with a lot of disadvantages and yet with the help of Leigh Ann and her family percevers and ultimately suceeds academically and gets to play football professionally.
The always dependable Kathy Bates doesn't lag far behind playing "Miss Sue", an outspoken but kind private tutor hired to help Michael
Tim McGraw, Lily Collins, Kim Dickens
4/5.
The Anonymous Critic.
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