homeless teen becomes All-American and first-round NFL draft pick

Rating: 10/10 (25 April 2011)

The Blind Side is based on a true story staring Leigh Anne (Sandra Bullock) and Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron). Michael "Big Mike" is a traumatized boy who becomes an All-American and first-round NFL draft pick player with the help of a caring woman and her family. Leigh Ann sees Michael in the rain one night after her sons school play. He spends the night and ends up staying for Thanksgiving dinner with them the next day. Leigh Ann decides to give Michael a home and the love of a family. She sees that he has a proper education and makes sure he has every opportunity to succeed. When Michael expresses an interest in football, Leigh Ann does everything she can to help him. He doesn't do good in school but can write poems very well. Leigh Ann gets him a tutor to help bring his grads up so he can graduate and attend college. Throughout the movie Michael and Leigh Ann's son S.J. (Jae Head) become very close. S.J. helps Michael train for football and seek fame. He also is his wing man when it comes to meeting college recruiters about playing football in college. Be kind to others and don't judge is the theme to the film The Blind Side. Leigh Anne meets Michael, a homeless boy who she takes under her own wing. Leigh Anne gets a lot of ridicule from her friends but she sticks up for Michael, because he is changing her life for the better. At first she isn't sure if taking Michael in is the right thing but throughout the movie they build an unbreakable relationship that she wouldn't change a thing for. The film shows how important family is and how they can be there for you no matter what. Accepting someone such as Michael into your family is priceless and the film really captures that. There is a scene in the movie where the Tuohy's are taking their family picture for their Christmas card. Leigh Ann tells Michael to get in the picture. He looks very out of place due to his color and clothing but, Michael is family. Leigh Ann's brother calls after receiving the Christmas card and lets her know that there is a colored boy in their photo. He doesn't seem to understand why they have a colored boy in their family photo. Sandra Bullock really does a great job of acting in this film. The film Radio also has a theme of helping others and not judging. It is also a true story of a young underprivileged boy who makes his way into the hearts of the football plays and town. The coach's commitment to helping him is unforgettable. The bond Radio makes with the characters is more important than aptitude, intellect, or athletic ability. Three elements used in the film to help reveal the theme are color, lighting, and angle. The element of color was used a lot, especially in scenes within the household. All over throughout Leigh Ann's house the colors are very natural and inviting. Leigh Ann is a very caring mother and the color scheme presented in the film fits her personality and character perfectly. The lighting in the film is very surreal. The film is shot mostly outside on the football field with natural lighting; however it is also shot in the house with on scene lighting. The different angles the director uses are very important. They convey emotion and set the mood. In one scene in particular all of these elements are used and it's like you were sitting with the family. It's the scene of the Thanksgiving dinner. The family is gathered around Leigh Ann's dining room table. They begin by holding hands and saying prayer. The close up angle of Michaels face represents that he is scared but very thankful to have the Tuohy's in his life. The close up of S.J. nodding his head and looking at his sisters hands lets Michael know that it's OK. The scene is perfect, the room is light by natural lighting thought the windows. The colors and emotion expressed are bright and happy. The different angles bring the setting and mood together, making the movie heart touching and interesting.