Relying on the kindness of a friend, Michael (Aaron) gets a football scholarship to the local Christian high school. His parents are essentially non-existent and he survives by sleeping in the gym and washing his clothes in the sink at the local laundromat. He is considered a burden to his teachers and his classmates ignore his presence. All of that changes when the Tuohy family sees Michael walking home on a cold night. Matriarch Leigh Anne (Bullock) insists Michael spend the night at their house. Her husband, Sean (McGraw), agrees "It's just for one night....right?" and son S.J. (Head) is thrilled.
What begins as providing a warm place to sleep turns into something more as Michael becomes one of the family, and even appears in the family Christmas card. Michael is a man of few words, but protective of those he cares about... which proves invaluable at football and in protecting his family.
So many films take a good story with an uplifting message and throw in unnecessary crap that takes away from that message... or they litter the story with cursing and sex. I understand that those qualities draw audiences (and can be acceptable in some genre films, like action, but not this kind), it is refreshing to see a story without it. It's the kind of film you can recommend to friends or see with your mother (which I did) and not feel ashamed of. In addition, I am impressed with the way the filmmakers treat the Tuohy family. Typically, when a Christian family is portrayed in a film they are either preachy hypocrites (unless it is a film produced specifically for Christian families, then the themes are very apparent throughout the film) or mocked mercilessly... however, in this film the family is seen as loving and caring.
As I have mentioned in previous posts, I love Sandra Bullock and tend to see films she is involved in. And once again (see "The Proposal") she did not let me down. She is not the main focus of the film, but she is definitely one of the highlights. Quinton Aaron makes Michael a gentle soul who can convey as much through his face as he can with his few words. You definitely root for him throughout, and it helps to know that he will prevail (as Michael Oher plays football professionally for the Baltimore Ravens). Some of his best / funniest moments occur when Michael interacts with his little brother S.J. They have a cute sing along to the song "Bust a Move." And Tim McGraw shaved his moustache to play Leigh Anne's husband Sean. I didn't recognize him in the previews.... but read somewhere that he wanted people to see the story and characters instead of pulling out and going "oh, it's Tim McGraw!"
Overally I don't have anything negative to say about the film. I don't know anything about Michael Oher, nor have I read the book this film is based on... so I can't speak for the facts, but the filmmakers deliver a heart-felt story without being overly sappy or overly focused on the football aspects. Good job Hollywood.
The Blinde Side (2009) 128 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for one scene involving brief violence, drug and sexual references.
Director: John Lee Hancock
Starring: Sandra Bullock as Leigh Anne Tuohy
Tim McGraw as Sean Tuohy
Quinton Aaron as Michael Oher
Jae Head as S. J. Tuohy
Lilly Collins as Collins Tuohy
Ray McKinnon as Coach Cotton
Kathy Bates as Miss Sue
What begins as providing a warm place to sleep turns into something more as Michael becomes one of the family, and even appears in the family Christmas card. Michael is a man of few words, but protective of those he cares about... which proves invaluable at football and in protecting his family.
So many films take a good story with an uplifting message and throw in unnecessary crap that takes away from that message... or they litter the story with cursing and sex. I understand that those qualities draw audiences (and can be acceptable in some genre films, like action, but not this kind), it is refreshing to see a story without it. It's the kind of film you can recommend to friends or see with your mother (which I did) and not feel ashamed of. In addition, I am impressed with the way the filmmakers treat the Tuohy family. Typically, when a Christian family is portrayed in a film they are either preachy hypocrites (unless it is a film produced specifically for Christian families, then the themes are very apparent throughout the film) or mocked mercilessly... however, in this film the family is seen as loving and caring.
As I have mentioned in previous posts, I love Sandra Bullock and tend to see films she is involved in. And once again (see "The Proposal") she did not let me down. She is not the main focus of the film, but she is definitely one of the highlights. Quinton Aaron makes Michael a gentle soul who can convey as much through his face as he can with his few words. You definitely root for him throughout, and it helps to know that he will prevail (as Michael Oher plays football professionally for the Baltimore Ravens). Some of his best / funniest moments occur when Michael interacts with his little brother S.J. They have a cute sing along to the song "Bust a Move." And Tim McGraw shaved his moustache to play Leigh Anne's husband Sean. I didn't recognize him in the previews.... but read somewhere that he wanted people to see the story and characters instead of pulling out and going "oh, it's Tim McGraw!"
Overally I don't have anything negative to say about the film. I don't know anything about Michael Oher, nor have I read the book this film is based on... so I can't speak for the facts, but the filmmakers deliver a heart-felt story without being overly sappy or overly focused on the football aspects. Good job Hollywood.
The Blinde Side (2009) 128 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for one scene involving brief violence, drug and sexual references.
Director: John Lee Hancock
Starring: Sandra Bullock as Leigh Anne Tuohy
Tim McGraw as Sean Tuohy
Quinton Aaron as Michael Oher
Jae Head as S. J. Tuohy
Lilly Collins as Collins Tuohy
Ray McKinnon as Coach Cotton
Kathy Bates as Miss Sue
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