The Blind Side

The Blind Side refers to the left side of the offensive line, where the Quarterback is unable to see the defense coming after him. It is also an appropriate metaphor for the film in which a rich, privileged Memphis family takes in a poor, black orphan and ultimately change both of their lives forever.

Based on the true story of Michael Oher, who overcame adversity to enjoy a successful career at Ole Miss, and become a 2009 first round draft pick by the Baltimore Ravens. He beat the odds of the less than .2% of high school football players making it to the professional level (215/9,000). It is an inspirational story in the spirit of Rudy, Remember the Titans, and Invincible.

Quinton Aaron, Tim McGraw, and Sandra Bullock give good performances as Michael and the family he finds. Michael is a docile, heavily disturbed by his drug addled, neglected past. Having never slept in a bed and having a 6'5, 300+ pounds frame, he is the perfect candidate for an offensive tackle, but he is ironically passive and restrained. The liberties taken in giving the audience insight into his unique mental state is a bit cheesy: Low IQ, low percentiles in all mental categories, but the one area he excels is in on standardized tests is "protective instinct". Like I said, cheesy.

Michael's development takes some major prodding by Bullock's uber-bitch wife, who is unusually compassionate and open-minded despite being a southern belle Republican Ole Miss cheerleader. She does the right thing, ostracizes herself from her social circle and ends up being heroic. It seems a little too altruistic, and the husband, as the Taco Bell franchise magnate is a little too laid back and hip for the reality of a Memphis suburb.

Bullock is not typically one of my favorites (sorry Paul), but she does a surprisingly convincing job playing this type of role (see Crash). Hmmm, this seems to be recurring.

I like the way that the film was done. Not too sappy, not too much time spent on the football field. The story was actually inspiring, and I enjoyed how the film basically ended at the beginning of his college experience. The photos were poignant, sharing intimate looks at the family who participated in this extraordinary story. Michael Oher is a fascinating young man who should be shown as a role model to young struggling athletes.

In a time of Oscar contenders and action junk, this film hits theatres at just the right time for an uplifting tale. I would recommend this movie, not for its quality, but rather for its heartfelt emotional message. 7/10.