The BLIND SIDE

“The BLIND SIDE” (Sandra Bullock)

This will be a dull review because this is one of those films that I can’t say anything smart-assy about – usually a given with a Sandra Bullock vehicle – but this, like ‘The Express’, ‘Glory Road’ & ‘We Are Marshall’, is one of those uplifting sports movies that as long as it doesn’t make too many mis-steps is bound to please its audience.
About the most far-fetched aspect of this ‘true’ story is that a family of religious Republicans actually cared about a large black kid & took him into their home when he didn’t have one of his own. Proving there are exceptions to every rule.
Bullock plays Leigh Anne Tuohy, wife of a wealthy restaurateur (Tim McGraw as husband Sean) who lives in Memphis, but hates the Tennessee Vols – being Ole Miss grads. Leigh Anne was a cheerleader, Sean played basketball.
They have a pretty teenaged daughter that they saddled with the odd name of Collins (played ironically enough by a girl named Lily Collins) who also aspires to be a cheerleader at Ole Miss. Their young son, Sean Jr. goes by S. J. (Jae Head) he is the one character that isn’t very believable. Early on he uses the phrase ‘multi-cultural bias’ & his parents don’t even blink when he says it – like it is something all 8 year olds use in their everyday conversation. But, as I was able to overlook the ‘too worldly-wise to be realistic’ teenaged girl in “500 Days Of Summer”, I was able to overlook the obvious plot ploy of making S.J. appear to be a genius despite the fact that he still has crooked baby teeth.
I even forgave it for using a silly opening involving L.T.'s crushing hit that broke Joe Theismann's leg in half - Making it seem as if no other quarterback had ever been blind sided before that incident - But it was a way to introduce non football fans to the importance of the players whose job it is to protect the QB & so I understood the insertion.
But this is Bullock’s film & she’s impressive – the heart of the film centers on her relationship with the large homeless black kid known as ‘Big Mike’ (Quinton Aaron)
& since Big Mike rarely speaks, even after he becomes a ‘member’ of the Tuohy family, Leigh Anne has to carry the load of what makes this film work – for that Sandra is to be given at least a glance at an Oscar nomination; mainly because this is a weak year not only for films but for actors & actresses as well.
The movie doesn’t glamorize Republicans, as Leigh Anne abandons her snobby friends who question her decision to invite a ‘colored’ boy into her home. If they hadn't included that scene, I don't think I would have liked 'The Blind Side' as much as I did.
If the way the film depicts how ‘Michael’ learns how to protect his quarterback is even remotely close to the truth is irrelevant – in the world of filmdom, it just works & puts a smile on your face whether you believe it actually happened or not.
A slew of current & ex-college coaches make cameos (Fulmer, Holtz, Saban, Tuberville, Nutt & Orgeron) & again, the lack of acting skills doesn’t matter, it is the bond between the feisty white blonde Republican & the silent overgrown traumatized black ‘child’ that endears you to this story.
It isn’t all roses & rainbows; this film has a gritty side as well, including a turn that makes you question the Tuohy’s ‘actual’ reason for bringing Mike Oher into their lives.
Even Leigh Anne wonders if she had an ulterior motive for approaching the boy & start
caring for him without any knowledge of his background.
What can I say? It’s a very good movie because it’s a great story – You can’t possibly walk out of the theatre feeling disappointed that you watched it.