The Blind Side

Rating: 8/10 (28 March 2010)

Quite often films that are up for Oscars are released in Britain around the time of the ceremony, but with the ceremony being a month later I was able to see the film after. Based on the true story, this tells the story of Michael 'Big Mike' Oher (Be Kind Rewind's Quinton Aaron), the neglected African American teenager, who with little education grew up to become a football star. So the film starts when he was young and homeless, and he seems quiet with hardly anyone to rely on, until he is taken in by the Tuohy family: wife/mother Leigh Anne (Oscar and Golden Globe winning Sandra Bullock), husband/father Sean (Tim McGraw), son S.J. (Jae Head) and daughter Collins (Lily Collins). Leigh Anne, after adopting Michael to be part of the family, encourages Michael assuring him that anyone given a chance can accomplish what they want, and his passion for American football is quite significant. As he practises for his big chance, she gives him an idea of how to play the game, knowing he got a high grade in protection, she tells him to think of the opposition as people threatening her family, and it works. Soon enough he is gaining much attention by American football coaches, seeing his footage, of course there is a low point when his education is getting him down, but with the help of home school teacher Miss Sue (Kathy Bates), he does improve. He is also questioned about why he wants to go the same school as the Tuohy family, but he gets through this, and Leigh Anne and the whole family can be proud of him when he reaches great heights. Also starring Ray McKinnon as Coach Burt Cotton, Kim Dickens as Mrs. Boswell, Adriane Lenox as Michael's mother - Denise Oher and Catherine Dyer as Mrs. Smith. Aaron makes a good not very talkative and sensitive soul, the supporting cast all get their moments too, but the film is of course taken over by the award winning Bullock, who did deserve the Oscar out of the five nominated actresses. As for the film itself, it is a very subtle film, with some kicks (literally) in the American football (which I know nothing about) games, it's up there with Jerry Maguire as a likable sports drama. It was nominated the Oscar for Best Motion Picture of the Year. Very good!