The Blind Side Movie Blurb by Shale November 21, 2009 This was a feel-good movie about doing the right thing and having it all turn out OK. And the best thing was it's a real story. In fact, if it weren't a true story our cynical instincts would call it contrived. A wealthy white matriarch in Memphis of all places (the same redneck enclave where Dr. King was murdered) takes a hulking black teen from the other side of the tracks into her home? C'mon, ain't gonna happen! But it did happen and it is a beautiful story. Apparently, racism in the deep south has improved in the 21st Century over what it was in my youth. Football fanatics already know this story by Michael Lewis. It had two parts, one about the blindside in football play and the other about the life of Michael Oher. Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron) is a product abject poverty from the projects in Memphis. He is actually living on the streets and tho large and gentle he is uncommunicative and withdrawn. Depressing Reality Because of his promising sports prowess, he gets into a prestigious private school but is not up to their academic standards and would have been thrown out except for one teacher who discovered his potential. One cold nite he is seen walking in shirtsleeves by the Tuohy family and Leigh Anne (Sandra Bullock) makes him get in the car and he stays on their couch for the night. Her husband Sean (Tim McGraw) goes along with whatever his wife undertakes. A Warm Place to Sleep Everyone in the Tuohy family adjusts to Michael and he is a hit with the younger son S.J. (Jae Head). The one nite turns into long term foster care and eventual adoption as the movie progresses with Michael overcoming obstacles of his poor education and trust issues. Tuohy Family Christmas Card Michael gets his grades up enuf to play on the school football team but has a hard time learning to hit the opposing players. Leigh Anne gives him pointers on protecting his teammates as he would his newfound family and he becomes a star player. Listen to yo mama With the help of a tutor Miss Sue (Kathy Bates) Michael gets his grade point up enuf to qualify for a football scholarship and he is soon being sought after by college football programs (And a bunch of real coaches appear at the Tuohy home. I didn't know who they were but I knew they weren't actors). The rest as they say is history. Michael Oher went on to play at Ol Miss and later the Baltimore Ravens. I found this a really enjoyable movie. Altho there was the obvious lingering racist attitudes that one would expect, it was not a major focus of the film. All the bigots of my generation are either old or dead and younger ppl in the South may be getting over the old prejudices. Let's hope. And let's hope that this movie is inspiring for others to reach out like the Touhy's. As Leigh Anne said "You don't know how many Michael Ohers are out there, on the streets of America."
This movie was well cast and everyone looked quite similar to the actual family members. Sean Tuohy seems to be older than Tim McGraw but Sandra Bullock seemed to channel Leigh Anne pretty well and it was reported that the Tuohy family liked the movie. At the end of the movie they showed still pix of the real family. Here are some I found on the Web: Leigh Anne Tuohy & Family In July 2009 Michael signed a 5-year, $13.8 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens. He kept the number 74, his Ole Miss number. Michael Oher Aug 2009 On a personal note: When I was in my early thirties in New Orleans, I guess I had a paternal urge. Gerald was a kid from the Desire Projects who hung around the group home I managed on weekends. He came to visit his brother who lived there and ended up sleeping over. His home life was what one would expect and the only time I met his mother (when she signed documents for me to take him to clinics) she didn't look quite together. She had no problem with Gerald living with me, so for about half a year I was foster father to a 10-year-old boy. I cooked breakfast and supper, got him off to school, bought clothes in the downtown stores and basically gave him a stable place to live for that time. We even enjoyed the TV show Different Strokes together. Eventually he went back to his mother in the projects and I have lost contact since. He sent a pic as a teenager in his prom suit. Still, it amazes me how easy it was to take in a waif off the streets in the City That Care Forgot. Something that was brought out by Leigh Anne in this movie. Shale and Gerald - New Orleans - 1979
Damn, two amazing stories in one. The movie sounds awesome. There are so many homeless folks in my hood, and it would be so cool if they could all suddenly have a home of their own. I've always found it odd that there seems to be so much support for animal shelters, and so little support for homeless shelters? (And I love animals.) I mean, I live downtown, and it's actually expensive to live here. Yet every time I walk to Safeway -- I discover more and more people sleeping out in the rain. It makes me wonder if I might be next. Anyway, I think it was really cool how you offered a good home to someone: Not many folks are able/willing to do what you did. I was homeless during my late teen years, and I can tell you that it was pure hell. It gets mighty cold in Chicago. And the shelters were often more dangerous than the streets. It's something you never forget. I'll get the movie when it's available on DVD. The public library is only two blocks away, and I can check out DVD's for free (I'm a starving poet ). Thanks for another really cool review! --QP P.S. I loved Kathy Bates in MISERY. In fact, she was the best thing about the movie.
I sat and watched this tonight. I have had it for months and put it off. I wish I had of watched it months ago. It is a wonderful touching story and in many places, I was near tears. I will watch this movie again.
This was a pretty dynamic, good spirited movie and I really like the vibe and the way the characters interacted. When I am not watching feel-goods, I like to watch horror flicks and action spin movies. I just saw the trailer for Piranha 3D and it looks pretty sweet. Lots of action, blood, babes, and a weird family dynamic among the characters. . .until they get munched. Make sure to keep your movie watching balanced. Piranha 3D is sure to be an awesome flick and I will definitely be watching it when it comes out.
