Family movie about love and football.

Rating: 9/10 (18 February 2014)

In football a left tackle is the protector of the team. According to Leigh Anne Tuohy, an Ole Miss football fan, wife and mother of two, he has to be "wide in the butt, massive in the thighslong arms, giant hands and feet as quick as a hiccup." But who is there to protect the left tackle on and off the field? The Blindside, based on the novel by Michael Lewis, follows the true story of NFL left tackle Michael Oher, from homelessness in, appropriately named, Hurt Village of Memphis, to the football field of Ole Miss and beyond. Under the direction of John Lee Hancock and supported by a marvelous cast, this film of love, family and football shares Oher's story of poverty to triumph and proves true family runs deeper than blood. Hancock took on the difficult task of turning the bestseller into a film. The movie accurately depicts Oher's story with only a few slight detours. One mistake is made on Oher's first day of football practice at his new school, in upper class Memphis, where he appears clueless on the rules, including not knowing the basic three point stance. Although this was designed to give the movie a light hearted comedic moment, Oher was knowledgeable. He came to school on an athletic scholarship. Other than this mistake the film brilliantly shows the relationship between the Tuohy family and Michael and the characters real life persona's. Oher grew up only miles from the Tuohy's, on the other side of Memphis, but seemed to be from a different universe. Hancock does an excellent job illustrating the polar opposite worlds. He shows Michael in baggy, worn out clothing, coming from a broken home, broken family and broken world filled with drugs and violence. While the Tuohy's, fast food tycoons, come from country clubs, fancy cars and designer clothing. From the beginning their relationship felt natural and welcoming. Quinton Aaron assumes the role of Oher with ease and excellence. He captures Oher, a gentle giant, as person and an athlete. Even though Aaron plays the main character, he has relatively few speaking lines throughout the movie because Oher was very closed off. Aaron relies largely on emotional execution and body language to tell the story. He does so in many ways including rubbing his knees when he felt anxious or out of place. Leigh Anne puts it best when she says "he is like a fly in milk," because he stands out at his new school, on the football field and in the world because of his race and size. Many people have a hard time expecting Michael. The Tuohy's son, SJ, played by Jae Head, is one of the first people to befriend Michael. Head charms as Michael's pint sized side kick with a contagious smile. The chemistry between the two feels like they have always been brothers. Head stops at nothing to make sure his, "big brother," is treated fairly and Michael always sticks an arm out to protect SJ. Leigh Anne and her family see they need Michael just as much as he needs them. Sandra Bullock steps into the shoes of the fiery and feisty Leigh Anne, where she gives the performance of her lifetime. She transforms into a sweet southern belle, not afraid to fight for her beliefs. The perfect balance of bossy and vulnerable, everything from Bullocks wardrobe, to her southern accent and body language screamed Leigh Anne. Bullock brings out her natural maternal instinct when starting down a gangster and fighting the NCAA. She shows that even though he is from a different world Michael is her son. The Tuohy family becomes Michael's left tackle and fill the cracks of his broken world. The movie reminds you of the importance of love and protecting your family. All 129 minutes are worth your time as it pulls at your heartstrings and truly changes your life.