I know it’s been out for a while now but the fact is I didn’t have the chance to see the film THE BLIND SIDE until this past weekend. All I can say to those who are following in my footsteps on this movie, you’ll regret waiting once you have the chance. This movie far outweighed THE HURT LOCKER when it comes to what should have won for Best Picture at this year’s Oscars. Understandable, though, as the film features no political motivation which seems to be how you win any more.
For those who haven’t seen it, the film is the true life story of football star Michael Oher and how a series of fortunate events led him from what could have been the most miserable of lives to one of fame and fortune. But more important than those qualities is that Oher was led by some unseen force to find a family and a home.
Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron) is a young black man, big for his age, who gets a chance to go to a private school with the hope of playing sports. Unfortunately his grades disqualify him from participating. With low test levels and a low level learning ability, it seems as if Michael isn’t long destined for this school. Few of the kids take an interest in being friendly to him with the exception of young S.J. Tuohy (Jae Head).
One cold and rainy day after being picked up from school, S.J.’s mother Leigh Anne (Sandra Bullock) watches as Michael walks in the rain. When asked where he is heading, he says the gym because it’s warm there. Realizing the boy has no home, Leigh Anne invites him to stay the night at their house.
A one night invitation turns into a long term situation as Leigh Anne decides to take on the responsibility of helping this young man. Husband Sean (Tim McGraw), daughter Collin (Lily Collins) and S.J. all welcome Michael into their home. Leigh Anne takes Michael shopping for clothes and helps him with studies as well. The teachers at the school help too as they realize Michael isn’t stupid, he’s just never been in a learning environment that encouraged him to study. Michael’s life begins to change immediately.
The help of the teachers and Leigh Anne pays off when Michael’s grades raise enough for him to join the football team. But this huge player isn’t what the coach expected as he tends to be non-aggressive on the field. Recognizing the coach just doesn’t understand how to reach Michael, Leigh Anne walks onto the practice field and tells Michael that the team is his family and that since he has said he’d do anything to protect his family, he should apply that to the field. In so doing, he becomes the lynch pin to the success of the team.
A twist in fate appears towards the end of the film as Michael’s decision to go to Ole Miss for college is questioned by the NCAA. They feel that perhaps the entire incident of Michael’s mentoring and guardianship by the Tuohys was nothing more than their using him to help their alma mater. The answer as to the truth in this can only be found within Michael’s heart.
The success Oher was able to sustain thanks to the help of one woman who made the decision to see to it that a human being wasn’t just dumped one more time is what makes up the center of this film. The football, the fact that Michael Oher is black, the rise in education and status are all planets that circle the sun here. And that sun is the story of a person who was willing to ignore mindless comments, ignorant claims and the world around her in an attempt to simply help someone get a step up.
Some have claimed that this is just another example of white people helping out blacks in an attempt to make themselves feel better. They miss the point of the film entirely. That’s because while Bullock may be the star, the real story isn’t about Leigh Anne Tuohy. The real story is about Michael Oher and his taking hold of the opportunity provided to him and making the best of his life.
Rare today is it that we are presented with a film that contains as much heart as this one does. Even God is given a center piece in the film as it takes place at a Christian school. Too often films are mired in the nasty sides of life, the worst the world has to offer. Even in the scenes in this film that involve Michael’s old neighborhood we get the chance to see him rise above and move forward.
This movie offers all you could ask for. It offers plenty of laughs at the oddest of times. It offers portions that will touch your heart and bring a tear to your eye. But more than anything it offers you heart and the possibility of a bright future for anyone. Yes, it might be rare, but when movies like this are made they are worth making note of.
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