The Blind Side
3.5/4
Starring: Sandra Bullock, Quentin Aaron, Tim McGraw, Jae Head, Lily Collins
Rated PG-13 for One Scene involving Brief Violence, Drug and Sexual References
Occasionally, a movie succeeds solely on the purposes of one performance. While there may be other qualities to the production that are worth applauding, the main thrust of the film is a dynamic acting by a talented thespian. It happened with Cate Blanchett's performance in "Elizabeth" and it happens here. The performance is given by Sandra Bullock as Leigh Anne Tuhoy, the adoptive mother of future pro-football player Michael Oher.
Leigh Anne Tuhoy (Bullock) is the devoted Christian wife of a fast food franchise owner who prides herself on her charity. One day, she sees a huge man walking home in the cold rain in nothing but a t-shirt and shorts. Her son, SJ (Head) tells her that the man is Big Mike (Aaron), a new student at the school. Not wanting to leave him in the cold, she insists on taking him to her house so he can spend the night there. But one night of charity turns into a journey that will lead this soft-spoken young man to the NFL.
Bullock is nothing short of incredible. She's always been a good actress, but she's never really been given anything to really show off her talents. Leigh Anne is tough, tenacious and so upfront that she's often very funny. She's also very stubborn, and when she's made up her mind, there's no arguing with her. But Bullock finds her humanity, and that's what keeps her from becoming a caricature. Although some may argue that it was only her fame that won her an Oscar (it does happen...Gwyneth Paltrow anyone?), I disagree. Bullock is nothing short of incredible in the role.
The other central character, Oher himself, is also well played by relative newcomer Quentin Aaron. As his coach, played by character actor Ray McKinnon, says, he's a marshmallow. Oher is a large kid; he already looks like a NFL player. But he's really shy and quiet, and wilts whenever someone talks to him. He needs a lot of strong support to succeed, and that's exactly what Leigh Anne gives him.
The other cast members are solid, but none of them dominate the screen like Aaron and especially Bullock. In fact, "solid" is probably the best way to describe the rest of this movie. It's well written and directed by John Lee Hancock. Hancock has set out to tell a true story to inspire and entertain, and he accomplishes this. I also liked the fact that he didn't turn the Tuhoys into Christian Conservative caricatures. Although the are Christian Conservatives, they are surprisingly real. They're good people who try to be the best people they can be.
I really enjoyed this movie, and if you watch it, you will too.
Starring: Sandra Bullock, Quentin Aaron, Tim McGraw, Jae Head, Lily Collins
Rated PG-13 for One Scene involving Brief Violence, Drug and Sexual References
Occasionally, a movie succeeds solely on the purposes of one performance. While there may be other qualities to the production that are worth applauding, the main thrust of the film is a dynamic acting by a talented thespian. It happened with Cate Blanchett's performance in "Elizabeth" and it happens here. The performance is given by Sandra Bullock as Leigh Anne Tuhoy, the adoptive mother of future pro-football player Michael Oher.
Leigh Anne Tuhoy (Bullock) is the devoted Christian wife of a fast food franchise owner who prides herself on her charity. One day, she sees a huge man walking home in the cold rain in nothing but a t-shirt and shorts. Her son, SJ (Head) tells her that the man is Big Mike (Aaron), a new student at the school. Not wanting to leave him in the cold, she insists on taking him to her house so he can spend the night there. But one night of charity turns into a journey that will lead this soft-spoken young man to the NFL.
Bullock is nothing short of incredible. She's always been a good actress, but she's never really been given anything to really show off her talents. Leigh Anne is tough, tenacious and so upfront that she's often very funny. She's also very stubborn, and when she's made up her mind, there's no arguing with her. But Bullock finds her humanity, and that's what keeps her from becoming a caricature. Although some may argue that it was only her fame that won her an Oscar (it does happen...Gwyneth Paltrow anyone?), I disagree. Bullock is nothing short of incredible in the role.
The other central character, Oher himself, is also well played by relative newcomer Quentin Aaron. As his coach, played by character actor Ray McKinnon, says, he's a marshmallow. Oher is a large kid; he already looks like a NFL player. But he's really shy and quiet, and wilts whenever someone talks to him. He needs a lot of strong support to succeed, and that's exactly what Leigh Anne gives him.
The other cast members are solid, but none of them dominate the screen like Aaron and especially Bullock. In fact, "solid" is probably the best way to describe the rest of this movie. It's well written and directed by John Lee Hancock. Hancock has set out to tell a true story to inspire and entertain, and he accomplishes this. I also liked the fact that he didn't turn the Tuhoys into Christian Conservative caricatures. Although the are Christian Conservatives, they are surprisingly real. They're good people who try to be the best people they can be.
I really enjoyed this movie, and if you watch it, you will too.
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