033: The Blind Side (2009)

Title: The Blind Side (2009)
Starring: Quinton Aaron, Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw
Directed By: John Lee Hancock

It was hard for me to go in to this film with no expectations. I mean, it got nominated for the Best Picture Academy Award and Sandra Bullock is nominated for Best Actress. From the trailer though, and just through knowledge of Michael Oher's story (which was STILL unfolding when they started making the film), I didn't see how it could be anything more than your typical inspirational sports film a la Remember The Titans or Glory Road. Honestly, that's all we get here but that doesn't make it any worse of a movie. It's a solid film with a solid story and solid performances. With all the hype surrounding it I did want to see something different, something special, but instead I got pretty much what I figured I would.

The film is based on Michael Lewis's book The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game. It follows the story of Michael Oher, who was born to his crack addict mother in the ghettos of Memphis and would become a star athlete playing football for Ole Miss and The Baltimore Ravens. The book only covers through his freshman year at Ole Miss, as it was published in 2006. The film does show footage of the offensive lineman being drafted in the first round in 2009 by The Ravens.

In it, Sandra Bullock plays Leigh Anne Tuohy the woman who took Oher in and eventually adopted him legally. Her husband Sean is played by Tim McGraw. One of the fundamental problems with the film is that we never really get to see why they take "Big Mike" in. He could've been anyone. They could have helped, or chosen not to help, any single person in a similar situation. Granted, Michael's was a pretty extenuating circumstance, but still. I can only hope that their story has been explained more clearly in the book or somewhere else. If so, I hope it legitimately opens doors for other students in bad situations who wish to succeed, and not just athletes.

The film itself is standard. Sorry, but it is. It's not extraordinary, but it isn't sub par either. You've seen the trailer, you've seen the movie. That's not to say it isn't still a good movie though. One that I'd probably even watch again. Recommended.

Score: 8/10