Plain Decency

Rating: 10/10 (23 November 2009)

Sandra Bullock catches our attention when her Leigh Anne Tuohy says, "Don't you dare lie to me!" She had asked Big Mike (silently strong Quinton Aaron) if he had a place to sleep for the night in the pouring rain. Bullock commands the screen in "The Blind Side". She is smart, sassy, and strong—brilliantly deflecting a gentle soul not easily moved. My friend Robert told me, "Sandra Bullock rocks!" That says it all. I also think that Bullock gets an Oscar nod for her heart felt and powerful performance. Director and Writer John Lee Hancock's "The Blind Side" is based on the book by Michael Lewis which tells the inspiring true story of Michael Oher. Oher was a homeless black kid, taken in by the Tuohy family, who became an All-American Football Player drafted in the first round by the Baltimore Ravens. Oher is now starting left offensive lineman—protecting the quarterback's blind side. "The Blind Side" celebrates the decency in all people. I was touched by and enjoyed "The Blind Side". And much like the title, one is blind sided by the decency of people. I love this movie.
Leigh Anne (Bullock) is married to Taco Bell franchise king Sean Tuohy (solid Tim McGraw). She has two kids, daughter Collins (smart and pretty Lily Collins) and son S.J. (scene stealing Jae Head). Collins is a volleyball star and cheerleader. S.J. is the precocious kid with his finger in everything. Leigh Anne is an interior designer, who often lunches on $18 salads with her lady friends. Her life changes when she chooses to take hulking Big Mike (Aaron) into the family. Director Hancock punctuates family throughout the movie. Early on Big Mike tells Leigh Anne that he doesn't like being called "Big Mike". Leigh Anne obliges, "I'll call you Michael." And when they shop for clothes in his old neighborhood, Michael reminds Leigh Anne, "I got your back."
This is the amazing and endearing thread of "The Blind Side"—it's about protecting your own, protecting family. At the narrative arc Bullock fearlessly stares down a street thug, "You threaten my son! You threaten me!" In another great scene, Leigh Anne storms onto the football practice field, and instructs Michael how to play the game. She says, "This team is your family Are you going to protect the family, Michael?"
The soul of "The Blind Side" is Bullock and her touching relationship with Michael authentically played by Quinton Aaron. Aaron is deceptively expressive and strong. He movingly narrates his essay that the only thing that matters is honor. At the story arc, Michael tells Leigh Anne, "Don't you dare lie to me!" Really this is Bullock's movie. She amazes throughout with her spirit, compassion, and her powerful silence. When Leigh Anne makes up Michael's room, he tells her that he never had a bed before. Bullock walks to her room, and sits on her bed in solace. When Michael's crack addicted Mother tells Leigh Anne that she doesn't want Michael to see her the way she is, Bullock sits next to her and holds her hand in silence. And we are in awe as well.
Everyone is amazing in "The Blind Side". Lily Collins as Collins ditches her girlfriends to keep company with Michael in the school library. She confides, "It's like were studying together at home." Jae Head S.J. is simply awesome when he asks the recruiting Coaches, "So what's in it for me?" Tim McGraw is solidly understated when Leigh Anne asks him, "Am I a good person?" Kathy Bates rules as Michael's tutor Miss Sue.
The only goofy narrative twist involves NCAA Investigator Granger (in your face Sharon Morris). Granted this seems like a plot device, because we kind of know how this true story goes. This is a minor distraction, because at the core of "The Blind Side" is family, honor, and unconditional love. There is such a great moment when Michael tells Leigh Anne, "You need to give me a proper hug." "The Blind Side" just touches your soul.