Accusing this well-intentioned drama of racism, as some critics have done, is seeing things in a black and white sort of way. Once dualistic prejudice is outgrown, other colours of the rainbow get a chance to make their appearance. While we would like to simply dismiss suburban black ghettos - drenched in violence, drugs and children dying young - as a cultural and cinematic cliché, for Michael Oher, the future football success (drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft), this is the reality he grew up in. Abandoned by his father and taken away from his drug-addicted mother (Adriane Lenox) to be placed in inadequate foster care, young Big Mike (Quinton Aaron), as he is known, ends up homeless.
Based on The Tuohy Family's True Story... Mostly
Through a lucky break Mike gets a chance to attend a private school and brush shoulders with mostly white kids from well-to-do families, like S.J. and Collins Tuohy (Jae Head and Lily Collins). He might not say much, but he is certainly not passive or thoughtless, just someone with no expectations. Notes from class recovered from a bin by a perceptive teacher demonstrate Mike is critically aware of his predicament, racially and otherwise. One evening he is caught out by the Tuohy family and sharp-eyed Leigh Anne (Sandra Bullock) decides to take him along to their home. The script unfortunately leaves out the background of the Tuohys, whose private experiences with racism and the sports industry allowed them to make the choices they made. Mike’s presence in their home leads the Tuohys to question their own motives. Leigh Anne certainly seems aware of the limitations put on her by her social status – she’s miserable at society ladies’ lunches, yet unapologetic about her decisions.
One Happy Ending...And an Oscar for Sandra Bullock
Directed by John Lee Hancock, the talented writer of The Perfect World (1993) and Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997), as a feel-good movie based on an inspiring true story, The Blind Side’s strengths lie in its moments of affecting emotional intensity and focus on non-verbal communication amongst the protagonists, especially when touching on motherhood, as in a heartfelt scene between Leigh Anne and Michael’s mother. Bullock is excellent and believable as Leigh Anne Tuohey, and has received an Academy Award for her performance. Country music superstar Tim McGraw is the epitome of Southern charm as Leigh Anne’s husband Sean. The cast also includes Kathy Bates as an unorthodox and funny teacher, and cameo appearances by several football coaches, for those in the know. Although overly long, the movie makes for an enjoyable watching experience - even if you are not a football aficionado.
The Blind Side is a simple story of one happy family that lets their happiness spill over to engulf one more person – because they can. Yes, they are well-to-do Republicans and sports fans and yes, the NCAA does question their motives. The end result however is a life not prematurely lost but fulfilled in its potential. And that is always good to see.
Patricia Bieszk - Patricia has a PhD in Cinema Studies from University of Melbourne and a couple of MA's in English Literature and Media Comm. She has ...
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