Customer Reviews

The Blind Side

5 star:		(470)
4 star:		(68)
3 star:		(26)
2 star:		(12)
1 star:		(26)

 

 

This is the type of movie that after you leave the theatre, you keep thinking about the movie for days.
It meant so much more to know it is a true story! The acting was excellent and well cast!
Take the whole family. This movie is a winner!

*** This review contains spoilers ***

The Blind Side is one of those movies that manages to evoke a huge difference in opinion as to whether film works or not. I'm somewhere in the middle. Certainly the saga of the White Republican Tuohy family who takes in Michael Oher, a black kid from the 'other side of the tracks', and then helps him to become what he has become today, a very successful NFL star football player, is an inspirational tale of true Christian charity. On the other hand, the story is riddled with so many clichés that ultimately the film devolves into a predictable tale of the rise of an underprivileged youth.

Some posters argue that the white characters in the film, particularly the Tuohy family themselves, come off as saintly and the black characters are all presented as negative stereotypes. I don't see that at all. For starters, the first black character we meet, 'Big Tony' Hamilton, is a self-sufficient and kindly man who ends up being responsible for getting Big Mike into the Wingate Christian school where he eventually thrives. Leigh Anne Tuohy is hardly a saint as she is depicted as sensitive but also a thoroughly pushy and sometimes obnoxious woman who is capable at times, of putting her foot in her mouth. While Michael Oher is a slow learner, the film makes it quite clear that he has street smarts and inherently is a lot smarter than what the teachers at the Wingate school pegged him to be. Unfortunately, the film's scenarists know a lot more about Leigh Anne Tuohy's personality than Michael Oher's. This is perhaps the major shortcoming of the film as the warm, winning ways of Oher are not shown here; rather, he's depicted as thoroughly introverted and socially inept and rookie actor Quinton Aaron is unable to make much of a part that is quite thin to begin with.

The first third of the movie is perhaps the most moving as it shows Leigh Anne's Tuohy's growing realization that she has led an isolated life. In a most poignant scene, Tuohy is startled when Michael reveals that he's never slept in a bed before. Leigh Anne's willingness to take Michael in is tested in the scene involving the car accident. After Sean Tuohy Sr. buys Michael a new car, he gets into a car accident while the the young SJ is in the passenger seat. Somehow all is forgiven when it's revealed that Michael prevents the full force of the air bag from hitting SJ. Never discussed are the events preceding the crash--Michael and SJ are engaged in singing a rap song without Michael paying attention to the traffic ahead of them. I also wondered if Leigh Anne would have forgiven Michael so easily had SJ actually been seriously injured in the accident or even killed. Christian charity I suppose has its limits!

Once Oher is acclimated to his new family, 'The Blind Side' picks up the Hollywood mantle and offers up another tired and long-winded high school football scene, replete with the young SJ obnoxiously 'coaching' Oher before the big game along with Leigh Anne later fending off the token white racist in the stands. Oher not only gains confidence as a defensive tackle but the big teddy bear flips an opposing player over a fence after the bully has been mocking him before every play (how cute!).

Again, the second half of 'The Bind Side' ends up with mixed results. There's more 'cute' stuff when Leigh Anne hires a tutor (Kathy Bates) who tutors Michael to get his grade point average high enough to qualify for college. Liberal Hollywood needs to let us know that the tutor is a Democrat so that both conservative Republicans (the Tuohy family) and a Democrat both have a hand in helping Michael reach his goal. There's a stab at comedy when all the college recruiters start courting Michael and again the obnoxious child actor who plays SJ attempts to get the 'best deal' for himself in the event that Michael is recruited (stuff like walking out on the field at the beginning of the college football season).

When an NCAA Investigator questions the Tuohy family's motives in 'adopting' Michael after he accepts an invitation to attend Ole Miss, Michael impulsively returns to his old ghetto haunts. There he's taunted by Alton, the head gang member, brilliantly played by IronE Singleton (this actor has the potential to be a major star!) Michael gets into a fight with Alton and gets the better of him and then disappears. Leigh Anne looks high and low for Michael and confronts Alton. Some posters say the scene is implausible since the gang member would have retaliated when Leigh Anne challenged him. I'm not so sure--when she claims that she's friends with the DA, that in itself might have given Alton pause to take revenge. After all, he's a drug dealer who doesn't want any outsiders calling attention to his business. Finally Leigh Anne finds Michael after he calls her. There's a reconciliation and Michael is cleared by the NCAA after they finally accept his explanation that his decision to go to Ole Miss was made on his own free will. Of course Michael goes on to graduate from high school and is drafted by the NFL.

Sandra Bullock does an excellent job of conveying the brash personality of Leigh Anne Tuohy. Tim McGraw as Sean Sr. and Lily Collins as Collins Tuohy have little to do during the film. As previously mentioned, the youngster SJ (played by Jae Head) is simply obnoxious and Quinton Aaron does not know how to make Michael Oher into an engaging character. As 'The Blind Side' is based on a true story, it certainly is worth watching. Just don't expect much complexity when it comes to the majority of its characters.

You won't have a dry eye in the house and the fact that it's a true story add to the emotion. Sandra Bullock is fantastic and is probably playing out the realities of her own life in regard to her generosity toward those less privileged than she is. A fantastic movie to be watched time and again. One for all the family

Every so often a movie comes along that is well-deserving of all of the hype that is allocated to it. This is one such movie. In short, it ranks as one of the greatest sports movies ever made - not the least of which due to the fact that it is based on the true story of Michael Oher.

One of the more notable aspects of this film is just how little of it takes place on the football field. This is a movie about Michael Oher the person more than it is Micheal Oher the football player. In spite of being about 6'8 & > 300lbs, we find Oher to be someone who is as uniquely human as the rest of us. People who automatically believe that sports movies = zero plot will be quite surprised after giving this one a viewing.

Likewise, very little focus is on Oher's HS football team. It shows them winning from time to time & it shows Michael holding the league championship trophy. However, the other players on the team only have bit parts and we know very little about them.

Rather than being about a team's quest for a championship, this is a movie about a young man's involvement in the college football recruiting process. It is also centered around his desires to escape his past and make the grade while fending off racism at a ritzy all-white private school.

At its core, however, this is a story that shows how a little bit of kindness can go a long way towards making the world a better place. Even in the sadistic, twisted time in which we live, it's good to know that magnanimity has not entirely gone out of style.

Acting wise, this is one of the most well-done films I've ever seen. There was not a single weak performance in the movie, and there are not too many movies I can say that about. The casting office came through with flying colors! Sandra Bullock's Oscar was well deserved, and Quinton Aaron is perfect as the gentle giant with puppy dog eyes. Cameos by college coaches such as Nick Saban, Lou Holtz & Phil Fulmer were a nice touch.

Whether you love Sandra Bullock or merely adore Sandra Bullock, this is a heartwarming movie that will stay with you forever. If, after watching this movie you're not stirred in the least, I would highly recommend that you check your pulse to ensure that you still have one!

This is a feel good movie that really delivers. Sandra Bullock well deserved the Oscar for this one. Based on a true story the director focuses in on the soft side of a young man who has been tossed around all of his life. He finally is found by a family that learns to love him and wants the best for him. Born with natural athletic ability and the determination to succeed Michael Oher is pointed in the right direction and is still playing footbal for the Ravens today. Great movie.

Based on the real life story of Michael Oher, this movie successfully details Michael's pain, struggles, and emotions. Sandra Bullock shines as Leigh Ann Tuhoy; Michael's adoptive mom and deserves all the praise she received for her amazing performance. The movie also describes the rumors speculating the Tuhoys's motives regarding Michael's adoption, and how the great family dealt with it!

One of the funniest accusations against the movie is being racist! Just like people can't accept that goodness might still exist, they can't see people of different colors treating each other with respect without questioning their intentions.

This is a great movie to watch and to keep!

The Blind Side (especially being a true story in the recent past) shows all of us that we are but ONE human race and everyone has something to give. I never looked at my watch as the movie had no dull spots. Every scene had a purpose and added to the movie. Great writing, great acting, great directing...and wonderful pictures of the real Michael Oher, Miss Sue and the Toughy family. This is one of the movies that you will watch over and over again.

A true story of a young homeless teen who gets adopted by a well-to-do family and then rises to remarkable heights on the gridiron. This is not the first time that this has actually happened in the NFL. But never has this story been retold so poignantly on the silver screen. In "The Blind Side" you will laugh, cry and stand up and cheer for the journey and accomplishments of Michael Oher.

Sandra Bullock is absolutely fabulous in her role (well deserved Academy Award). Quinton Aaron's portrayal of Michael Oher is also outstanding. But what may be even more remarkable was Quinton Aaron's real-life trials to winning that role. 5-stars and more for "The Blind Side".

1. This is one of the rare movies that actually lives up to the hype: well written, well acted, and most importantly--> an inspiring story to tell. Highly recommended to all. A great family film as well.

In truth, I wasn't very eager to see this film. I'm not much of a football fan, so a true story about an underprivileged kid being taken in by a rich family and making good on the gridiron didn't hold much appeal for me.

Was I wrong!

Football is NOT the main thrust of this story. The film is more about faith and compassion -- and color-blindness. Yes, I will take the title to refer to more than just a tackle protecting other players from threats they can't see.

In fact, this story is so miraculous I almost couldn't believe it was true. Leigh Anne Tuohy is obviously a remarkable woman and one of the strongest female role models I have ever seen in a movie, and Sandra Bullock embodies her with a performance that really did deserve the Oscar, even over the pitch-perfect Meryl Streep as Julia Child.

As depicted here, the Tuohy's of Memphis are the very model of a proper Christian family. When Leigh Anne sees young Mike homeless and alone, shivering in the rain, she doesn't hesitate to take him into her beautiful upscale home. When it becomes clear that the shy and learning-challenged young man has no place to go home to, she welcomes him into their family.

The scene at lunch is memorable, where Leigh Anne answers one of her well-heeled lady friends who questions why she isn't concerned bringing a large young black man into a home shared by a beautiful teen-aged white daughter. "Shame on you!" Leigh Anne replies, and good for her!

If only our country were filled with Leigh Annes instead of the so-called Christians who populate the Tea Party and continue to turn their backs on the homeless on every street corner!

As a tutor the Tuohy's hire for Mike, Kathy Bates also makes an impression, warning them before they engage her, "There's something you should know about me -- I'm a Democrat!"

Fortunately they hire her anyway, and she helps Mike improve his grades enough to graduate high school and earn a football scholarship to Old Miss, on his way to becoming a pro with the Ravens.

My only gripe here is I wish the DVD had a director's (and star's) commentary. I would like to know if the particulars of the story are all true -- was Mike really investigated by the NCAA to see if the Tuohy's had acted improperly recruiting him for Old Miss?

Did Mike really start a fight when one of his old neighborhood acquaintances made sexual comments about Leigh Anne and her daughter?

Did Sandra Bullock get to meet the real Leigh Anne to perfect her steely but warmhearted characterization?

I hope that this deficiency will be rectified with a tenth-year anniversary DVD or such in a few years. In the meantime, this remains a movie every family in America should see.