The Blind Side: Cinematic Touchdown

Before you listen to other reviews of “The Blind Side” that dissect the (patronizing?) message that the movie sends, read this. Before you listen to people who think that it’s just another story of white guilt, read this. And before you decide to go see it just because you’ve heard that Sandra Bullock may earn some nods for her performance come award season (and she might), read this. Oh, and make sure to have some tissues handy, too.

I can’t sum this movie up in a debate about how plausible it is, what it says about race and class relations or even how much Hollywood might have glossed over the story of Michael Oher. I won’t do that, because of three undeniable truths: 1 – this story separates the cynics from the optimists in life, 2 – heart is heart (and this movie has an abundance of it), and 3 – it actually happened, and those that feel there aren’t any real Leigh Anne Tuohys in the world can’t ignore that fact.

This is the story of Michael Oher, an African-American high school student who grew up poor in the projects of Tennessee with a drug-addicted mother and a hard luck story. Despite his mammoth size, Oher, played by Quinton Aaron, was quick-footed and agile – enough to gain the attention of a football coach at a private school in the nice part of town and allow him to attend. While walking in the cold one evening (with no particular destination since he was essentially homeless), the wealthy Tuohy family comes across Oher, and Leigh Anne Tuohy (played by Sandra Bullock) instinctively invites him home. He ended up never leaving.

Though Oher was barely literate and had been largely neglected by the education system, the Tuohys worked with him and the gentle giant eventually improved his grades enough to try out for football, a relief to Coach Cotton (played by Ray McKinnon). That is, until he saw Michael’s performance on the field. It is here that the Tuohy’s son S.J.(played by Jae Head) provides the training and encouragement Oher needed to up his game, and also most of the comic relief in the film. Eventually, when Oher proved to be a formidable left tackle and was widely sought after by college coaches (who make real life cameos in the film), SJ morphed into a pint-sized Jerry Maguire, vying for the best possible package for his in-demand client. Michael Oher stayed in demand; the Tuohys eventually legally adopted him, and today he plays in the NFL for the Baltimore Ravens. His success story is much more than just ‘white family gives charity to underprivileged African-American teen,’ it’s about triumph, it’s about potential, and it’s about love.

What it isn’t about, for the most part however, is conflict. In fact, other than some initial surprise by relatives (who call to ask “do you know that there’s a large black boy in your Christmas photo?”) and the ignorant musings of Leigh Anne’s tony country club friends, the Tuohys and Oher encounter almost no obstacles until the end of the film. It should be said that “The Blind Side” is a movie full of laughs and tender moments – weepy moviegoers beware, I was stricken more than a few times – with a remarkable amount of self awareness. At no point was Sandra Bullock’s portrayal of Leigh Anne Tuohy flowery or sentimental, in fact she played a woman – nay, a force – who was equal parts stone-faced toughness as southern belle. Tim McGraw turned in a solid performance as the man behind the woman, Sean Tuohy, owner of fast food franchises and all around good guy, as did Kathy Bates playing the part of Miss Sue, Oher’s liberal-leaning tutor. Adriane Lenox, who plays Denise Oher, and Lily Collins, who ironically plays Oher’s sister Collins Tuohy also rounded out this solid cast.

Yes, the movie is based on Michael Lewis’ book “The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game.” Yes, it is an inspirational sports film. And yes, it is about different races and social classes. But no, it is not the African-American equivalent of “Rudy,” nor is it the male equivalent of “Precious,” with its main character’s story breaking our hearts into a million pieces at times. “The Blind Side” the story – the real story – is about a family, an unconventional definition of family, but a family nonetheless. It is about triumph. But most of all, it is about the hope and the untainted belief that maybe, just maybe, there are more Leigh Anne Tuohys out there.

Grade: A-

Want to read more Poptimal reviews of The Blind Side, check out Allison Toner’s article The Blind Side: The Gift of Family