Please Read Before You Bash (The Blind Side Review)

Rating: 3/10 (28 November 2009)

Why does everyone seem to think that this is the must see movie of 2009? Why are people saying that they cried in this movie? Why are people saying that they laughed in this movie? I REALLY do not know.
The plot follows the "true" story of Michael Oher (in the film played by Quinton Aaron) who is adopted by a white southern family at the request of Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock). I am not denying that it isn't a powerful story, and not taking away anything from the Tuohy family, because what they did was very kind. I just wish it could have made a better movie.
The problems with the film start with Sandra Bullock, who does a reasonable job given that she has to play a PSYCHOPATHIC mother! Seriously, the actions of Bullock in this movie made me want to cringe. Things like calling the coach during a football game and threatening to cut off your adopted son's penis does not make you endearing and likable. It makes you a psychopath.
Another annoyance that pops up way to often in the movie comes in the form of S.J Tuohy (Jae Head). At first he seems innocent and sweet and then he just started to annoy me to no end. I mean the kid gets into a car crash, is covered in blood and then he gets up to ask his mom if she thinks the blood will wash out of his clothes (?). And his Mom instead of being worried about her son, just shrugs it off saying that he enjoys the attention. Another scene that annoyed me with the kid was when he tried to mooch off of ALL of Michael's college offers. Jesus Christ does this kid have an off switch?
The thing that annoyed me the most about these characters is that the film seems to say that all of their actions are justified because of what they are doing for Michael. Sure, what your doing for Michael is nice, but that doesn't give you permission to be snobby and holier than thou.
Quinton Aaron was the only person in the movie that I felt something for...Mainly because he doesn't really speak until the very end. When the end comes however and he does have to act, he doesn't impress me.
Aside from that minor characters like the father (Tim McGraw) the tutor (Kathy Bates) and the teacher "with a heart" (Kim Dickens) seem like good people. Maybe because the camera doesn't spend too much time with any of them. Although the tutors line "I'm a democrat" (?) REALLY got under my skin. (Not because of the politics; mainly because it comes out of nowhere.)
And looking upon this review you might be saying, "This was based on a true story, there's nothing you can fix about it." And to that I say, just make something up! Take the inspirational story of the Tuohy's and loosely base it off of their story. But I guess I'm in the minority here.
*1/2 out of *****