There are some movies where you see the preview and you know exactly what to expect. You can script out the dialogue yourself before you ever even get in the car for your drive to the theater. Then there are other movies that surprise the hell out of you. “The Blind Side” falls somewhere in-between but what took me off guard is the superb acting, injected with several humorous moments and the way the story touched your heart. While I am sure to get lambasted for the next statement all I can say is bring some Kleenex because the movie while somewhat predictable is a tear jerker and exceptionally well done.
Michael Oher, played by QUINTON AARON. is from the projects. His mother is a drug addict with kids from more fathers than she can remember. Her main goal in life is simply to find enough money to get the next fix and she has trouble even remembering her children’s name let alone where they might currently be living. Michael spends his time hopping form one couch to another and if he can’t find a place to crash he sleeps on the street. By luck of the draw he finds his way into a private all white Christian school and not long after gets kicked out of his current house.
Leigh Anne Tuohy, played superbly by Sandra Bullock is a bossy, no non-sense rich house wife. She is strong willed to the point and doesn’t spend a lot of time with the softer side of life. She has a heart but she doesn’t let it get in the way of her goal and the direction she has taken to get there. By chance she sees Michael walking along the side of the road one night in shorts and a polo shirt in the rain. It is freezing cold and she attempts to figure out why he is not at home with his family. At that point she takes him into her house and her family reluctantly agrees. With her iron clad ruling I am not sure her husband had a choice but she placates him at times with the thought that he might.
There are several great lines in the movie but two that stand out for polar opposite reasons are: Sandra Bullock at one point states that it isn’t she who is making such a difference in Michael’s life as much as it is he who is changing hers. With his lumbering huge frame and raw physical power he is nothing more than a big soft teddy bear. He is gentle with the kids, loves helping people and quite to the point of reclusive. He comes across as a genuine product. My girlfriend’s favorite line is when Sean Tuohy, played by Tim McGraw says “I never thought I would have a black child before I met a Democrat”. You roll in the floor laughing at that one.
Michael Oher might possess a natural athletic ability but he does not naturally like violence. It takes him a while before he figures out the game of football but once he does he excels instantly with his innate talent. The sports aspect plays a key role and with the story being based on the true life experiences it is amazing when you see Michael play on Sunday mornings for the Baltimore Ravens. He ended up being a first round draft pick.
The story is more about two worlds colliding and what we, who are a little more well off than others, can do to help if we open our hearts and our minds. Color has always been a dividing point in our nation since the first slaves were shipped here from Africa. One can only hope that with the first black President and the softening that has occurred over time we might as a nation finally be ready to set aside our prejudices and accept people for who they are as people versus their ethnicity.
So bottom line, I loved the movie. It was hard not to show the tears streaming down my cheek as I casually wiped them away. It is a heartwarming, well acted, excellently directed production. A perfect feel good story for the holidays that will hopefully spur some extra giving this year. I strongly recommend seeing it if you can pull yourself away from the high octane action flicks and or vampire movies for a couple of hours. You will not regret it.
Sometimes I feel like a nut and sometimes I am man enough to admit crying now and again.
