I watched The Blind Side last night, and almost cried. Such a good movie. It follows the life of “Big Mike,” a black guy from the other side of the tracks who lands a spot in an all-white Christian school because of his athletic ability. Mike owns two t-shirts, and waits in laundromats for a chance to throw them in someone else’s wash. When Leigh Anne Tuohy sees him walking down the road one night in the pouring rain, she can’t just drive by. The Tuohys take Mike in for the night, and he quickly becomes a part of the family.
Mike struggles in school, feeling alienated because of his skin color, and lost in a confusing maze of classes and homework. If he doesn’t get his grades up, he won’t be able to play football. Insert Kathy Bates here, playing the role of his tutor. Mike slowly gets his grades up, in time for spring football.
However, the coach is unhappy with Mike’s first performance at practice. He assumed that this kid from a troubled background would let out his angry feelings with violence. But Mike is a big teddy bear, and doesn’t want to hurt a fly. Leigh Anne pulls him aside and tells him to think of his team as his family. On a career aptitude test Mike once took, he scored 98% on protective instincts. He will protect his team. From that point on, he is unstoppable on the football field. No one gets by him. He brings his team to victory after victory.
Recruiters from colleges around the country flock to see Mike play and convince him to come to their school. He can get a full scholarship to any school of his choice. Mike eventually decides on Mississippi University, where both Leigh Anne and her husband went to college. Then controversy strikes. The NCAA is suspicious of Leigh Anne and her husband. They just happen to take in a homeless, athletically talented boy, feed him and clothe him, get him a private tutor, and send him off to their alma mater. They think that the Tuohys have been planning all along to send Mississippi University a star football player.
Mike is shocked, hurt, and confused. He thought he really meant something to these people. He thought he was part of the family.
I don’t want to give away the ending, but I highly recommend this movie. Although the plot dragged a bit toward the end, Sandra Bullock gives a stellar performance as Leigh Anne, and it is overall a very moving film. If you’re in the mood for a tear jerker, watch The Blind Side.
Sweet review. I know you were probly too busy with the emotional involvement but was there anything visually that stood out in terms of camera technique?
Loved this movie!
The director did an outstanding job creating mood through shot selection.