Wonderful Story

Rating: 9/10 (28 April 2010)

This is based upon a true story.
Leigh Anne Tuohy (Bullock) and husband Sean (McGraw) take in Big Mike Oher (Aaron) and help develop his potential.
Since I knew I was going to watch the DVD and saw what the promos promised, I went and bought a box of Kleenex. Good move.
What a wonderful story and true too. If more people were like the Tuohys, the world would be a better place. But, just think about it for a minute, the high risk they took taking in a kid from the streets. However, if Big Mike's real mother Denise (Lenox) didn't instill in him his good character, maybe we would never have heard of him and his place in sports and, of course, the Tuohys.
Yes, some will say that much of the movie is sappy, maybe corny, but when you know this is a true story, and you like and believe the characters and the dialogue because you want to, then it's not sappy and corny. It's just right. See?
The thing that impressed the most was the understatement of all on the screen. That had the most impact for me. And, in a true story the little things like the looks, subtle comments, and some good comedic lines go a long way to making this most enjoyable. Also, the support the entire family gave Big Mike. In the beginning, the Tuohy's son SJ (Head) was kind of annoying, but he grew on me and helped the comic relief along. Good job.
I do have one complaint. In the High School games some of the camera angles could have been better showing how Big Mike protected the Quarterback's blind side. To be fair, there were a couple one-on-one scenes with Big Mike and the Defensive End where Big Mike pulverized that player.
All in all a very good movie for all the family. And, it was nice to see Sandra Bullock deserve and win the Best Actress award.
Most of us, by now, know that Big Mike wants to be called Michael and that he went to the Baltimore Ravens of the NFL where he is today. It almost makes me want to root for the Ravens, however my loyalty lies elsewhere, but I will keep an eye on Michael and wish him well. Hey, I invested in a box of Kleenex on his behalf. I now know I should have bought 2-boxes.
Violence: Yes. Sex: No. Nudity: No. Language: No.