Movie Review: The Blind Side (2009)


Contrary to what many critics are saying, Sandra Bullock does not give the performance of her lifetime in the heartstring puller of a movie The Blind Side. She carries herself just fine as a dramatic leading lady, but aside from perfecting her Southern accent, her role doesn’t exactly break her out of her comfort zone and push her to new levels.

It is a pleasant surprise to see her doing something other than a romantic comedy, though.

In the The Blind Side, she is Leigh Anne Tuohy, the spunky wife of Sean (Tim McGraw), a very wealthy owner of more fast food joints than should be allowed. She has her perfect children, daughter Collins (Lily Collins) and son SJ (Jae Head). She has her perfect world that allows her to sit in fancy restaurants with her hoity-toity friends talking about nothing.

Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron) is a big cuddly black kid from the wrong side of the tracks of Memphis Tennessee. His dad is dead and his crack addict mom has abandoned him. To say his future is bleak is an understatement. But his luck changes when Leigh Ann sets her doting eyes on him. For the first time he has a roof over his head, food to eat, clean clothes, a bed and a reason to see past a life of peddling smack on the corner. All very uplifting, indeed, but there are shortcomings.

First, it is never made quite clear what the motivations of Leigh Ann are. Guilt for being so rich and Michael being so poor? Guilt for being white and his being black? Does she see financial gain in bringing him into the household (he does after all become a player in the NFL)? Was her youth as messed up as his and she wants to kill those demons? Does the Almighty compel her to help him? The film is as much about her as it is about Michael — Leigh Ann’s skeletons needed to be realized for her and Michael’s relationship (which is at the heart of the movie) to make sense.

I’m also not entirely convinced Quinton Aaron was the best choice for the role of “Big Mike”. He just kinda stands there with a dopey smile on his face for most of the movie, reminding me of a simplified version of Lennie from Of Mice and Men — only without the character complexities or the neck breaking (of course).

Why Kathy Bates even has a role in this film is a bit of a head scratcher too.

Those minor grievances aside, The Blind Side has got some good going for it too, other than goodwill to the underprivileged can result in a [substitute a major sports league here] contract theme. It’s cute — specifically, when watching Michael trying to figure out how to play football. Same can be said with Michael’s sticking out like a sore thumb in the Tuohy’s Christmas pictures.

There isn’t anything Oscar worthy about the film, but it is good to know there are some good people in the world willing to help those less fortunate . . . even if we don’t necessarily know what their motivation is.

Critical Movie Critic Rating:
3 Star Rating: Average

3

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The Critical Movie Critics

I'm an old, miserable fart set in his ways. Some of the things that bring a smile to my face are (in no particular order): Teenage back acne, the rain on my face, long walks on the beach and redneck women named Francis. Oh yeah, I like to watch and criticize movies.


'Movie Review: The Blind Side (2009)' have 7 comments

  1. The Critical Movie Critics

    December 15, 2009 @ 5:52 pm Samuel Wright

    I’m finally going to get around to seeing this today, matinees and Sandra Bullock FTW

  2. The Critical Movie Critics

    December 16, 2009 @ 6:46 am Elmer Carlson

    You’re right, maybe they should focus on the soulful portrayal of the characters in the story. The script as well needs some improvement.

  3. The Critical Movie Critics

    December 17, 2009 @ 9:02 am Rose Taylor

    Hello
    I will watch this movie tomorrow with my friends.You have given good review about ‘The blind side’.Sandra Bullock is good actress and I like her acting.Thank you for such review.

  4. The Critical Movie Critics

    January 7, 2010 @ 1:46 am Geld

    This is the worst film,I have seen in my life. Worst writing and directing. But an absolutely steller cast.I actually thought that this movie was pretty funny. Although I am not a big bullock fan, she did pretty well.

  5. The Critical Movie Critics

    February 14, 2010 @ 10:12 pm Joshua Williams

    I don’t find the movie interesting. Well, I’m very disappointed cause I really thought it’s a great movie because of their cast.

  6. The Critical Movie Critics

    April 25, 2010 @ 8:41 pm Katy

    I really enjoyed this movie and so did my children (7 and 10). There aren’t many movies you can watch with your children that you enjoy as well that aren’t animated. I liked that it had a message and was based on a true story. I think I deserved a higher rating, but that’s just your point of view.

  7. The Critical Movie Critics

    June 15, 2010 @ 8:53 am James Sulivan

    This is film not so worth as wrote above. I’m agree that it is not so good written and directed. But for 1 time, it’s quite interesting to watch.

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