MESSAGE IN THE MOVIES

The Blind Side Rated PG-13

Directed by John Lee Hancock.  Starring Sandra Bullock, TimMcGraw.

Photo © Warner Brothers Studios
Movie Review by Rev. Bruce Batchelor Glader

The Blind Side is an enjoyable fact-inspired film about Memphis decorator Leigh Ann Tuohy’s (Bullock) decision to take Michael Oher, a homeless black youth, into their family’s care and then slowly but surely help him raise his grade point average and play high school football. 

Leigh Ann is a life force, and Sandra Bullock gives her enough attitude to stand up to rednecks, drug dealers, coaches and a mean teacher.  Michael is a quiet giant of a person and needs the kind of love that Leigh Ann and her family can provide. 

Leigh Ann is assisted by every member of her family: husband Sean (Tim McGraw), daughter Collins (Lily Collins) and wisecracking son SJ (Jae Head).  Since the Tuohys are quite rich, they even provide a private tutor for Michael (played by the always delightful Kathy Bates). 

There is more humor in The Blind Side than in most sports films, which is to its credit.  I found parts of the film to be corny and others squirm-inducing as the movie shows what good can come when a nice white Southern family takes care of a poor black teenager.  It’s all heartfelt and sincere, but when little 8-year-old SJ does the talking for Michael when he meets with prospective college football coaches, the film becomes quite patronizing. 

While Quinton Aaron’s performance as Oher is fairly uninteresting, it is Bullock’s star turn, along with the sure hand of writer-director John Lee Hancock (who has done this kind of thing before in 2002’s The Rookie) that saves the day. 

The real Michael Oher is playing his rookie year with the Baltimore Ravens this season.  Pay attention to the awkward PG-13 rating.  Scenes involving drug addiction and poverty are toned down, but there are some words and language that you wouldn’t want young children to hear.

Pitchfork Rating:
Four halos. (An enjoyable and predictable sports film about a surprisingly unique family relationship, filled with compassion and humor.)

Two picthforks. (An instance of bawdy humor unsuitable for children; some crude language; scenes involving the drug trade; brief scenes of violence.)

COMMENTS!

Do you have comments about this movie or movie review? Email comments. (Your comments will be posted to our web site.)