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Movie Review: The Blind Side
Published by Clay Cane on Monday, November 23, 2009 at 12:00 am.
Summary: Based on the true story of football player, Michael Oher, who plays for the Baltimore Ravens (the book is written by Michael Lewis). A White, conservative, Tennessee family lets a homeless Black teen sleep on their couch. He is welcomed as part of the family, his grades improve and with some unusual coaching from Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock), the mother of the family, it’s discovered Michael has a talent for football.
Review: For many African-Americas, a story like The Blind Side is all too familiar in the history of cinema. First, there is the element of the “Great White Hope” — a white character who saves the life of the poor, uneducated Negro, showing him how to be “civilized” and “sophisticated.” Without the “Great White Hope” the Black characters can’t accomplish success on their own. Second, there is the “Magical Negro,” the Black character teaches Whites compassion, folklore-like lessons and other doses of emotionality (think Hattie McDaniel in Gone With The Wind, Sidney Poitier in The Defiant Ones, or, a recent example, Morgan Freeman in Bruce Almighty). With all of that said… this is a true story. You can’t hate a story for being true, even if it channels legendary Hollywood stereotypes.
There is so much thought-provoking material to explore in The Blind Side but it’s as if the director, John Lee Hancock, was afraid to tackle the edgy (and obvious) subject matters like race, poverty and drug addiction. Therefore, every potentially good moment is washed over with some Southern twang and a toss of Sandra Bullock’s hair. For example, Leigh Anne Tuohy, who picks Michael off the street in the rain, was allegedly raised in an extremely racist environment and her father pulled her out of the Tennessee public school system when it was integrated.
Was Leigh Anne never affected by racism?
Was she ever racist or did her feelings of race vanish when she looked into Michael’s brown eyes?
There are plenty of downtrodden Black boys in Memphis, Tennessee roaming the streets — why did she reach out to Michael Oher?
Did the Touhy family confront their own prejudices when this African-American boy moved into their home?
Unlike Sissy Spacek in The Long Home or Michelle Pfeiffer in Lovefield ( while fictional, these two films contain no elements of “The Great White Hope” or “The Magical Negro”), the Tuohys own background is never explored, which might have made this good movie into an excellent flick.
There are some uncomfortable scenes, like Tim McGraw’s character, who plays the father, says about Michael, “He thinks he is a redneck!” Or, Sandra Bullock sashaying through the Memphis projects, fearless of the “gangsters” and saying, “I am a member of the NRA!” as she pats her purse that supposedly holds a gun. On the other hand, as a viewer, you can’t help but be amazed at the compassion from the Tuohy family. Black or White, the Touhys helped changed a young man’s life.
Sandra Bullock’s performance is being praised and it is her best in years, but not Oscar worthy like 2004’s Crash. Yes, Bullock’s performance glues the film together but she didn’t have one climactic monologue to see her acting chops and her character basically remains the same. Thankfully, The Blind Side proves Bullock has more range than those bland romantic comedies.
In his first film, Bronx native Quinton Aaron plays Michael. Aaron definitely has potential but in The Blind Side he gives a one-note performance and you can nearly see his nerves rattling on camera. Maybe it was the writing, but the character was underdeveloped with little depth; you couldn’t tell if Michael was portrayed as socially awkward or developmentally disabled. This movie is based on Michael Lewis’ book, The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game, but this film is not Michael’s story. In the end, it’s more about Leigh Anne Touchy and Sandra Bullock being the star.
Regardless of the racial implications, The Blind Side is a true story that is told fairly well. It’s a story that seems almost too good, therefore, you have to let go of Hollywood’s betrayal of African-American story lines to thoroughly enjoy it.
The Blind Side is in theaters now.
I want to take my time in writing this, as I want my point to have the desired effect. As I read the reviews from some of the White reviewers above, wishing that “race” would not have to be an issue. As well as the “Black Psychotherapist” who chastises black folks(excuse me: THE BLACK JUDGMENTAL INDIVIDUALS) who dare view this movie as a “white savior movie”, What I find troubling is the lack of depth displayed by these reviews and comments. Yes, it would feel good if it was not about “race” and it was “just about a family taking in a young troubled person and helping him achieve success. The fact of the matter is that the “drawing card” of the movie is the fact that a “White family” took in a “Black” youth. If that was not the case(and in partial response to my Black Psychotherapist reviewer) there would be many more stories of African-Americans who have extended their families and homes to troubled individuals(Like Troy Smith A Quarterback for YOUR BALTIMORE RAVENS DOCTOR) who was taken care of by the BLACK family of one of his teammates as a kid. The story of Daunte Culpepper(a former Pro Bowl Quarterback) who is currently playing for the Detroit Lions, who was raised by an elderly “Black” woman who took her from his incarcerated mother and raised him! If you look at the landscape of professional sports, you will find many, many cases of “Black” athletes who were “taken in”, “Cared for”, “watched over”, and mentored by other Blacks who not only do not get a Movie made about it, but oftentimes does not even get the “basic” recognition that such selfless acts warrent in the national or local media.
With that said, I believe if you are going to use the “White family taking in the poor Black kid angle”, we could at least explore some of the deeper issues concerning him being raised in this environment. To hear that her dad pulled her out of public schools because of intergration, makes me want to know more about the depth of her(and her families) conviction toward this Black youth. I was bussed to a predominantly white school as a youth and I seemed to be pretty well accepted “until” I tried to ‘Date” them. There are many layers to racial matters in this country and to make movies that seem to gloss over or ignore these layers, leaves “MANY” Blacks feeling less than enthused. Yes, I and many other Black folks are very glad that this young man was able to find a stable home(with ANYONE), but if you’re not willing to show the complex layers presented in such relationships, I think that you will find that many “Blacks” will be lessed than enthused at its presentation.
I find it ironic that everytime a good movie comes out people always start the race card…This is a true story about how people trusted that GOD would provide, if you truly do what HE tells you. It was a great movie that hit home and provided good insight into how this young man overcame…On another note you didn’t see the “black” family he stayed with trying to keep him, why is it a problem when someone from outside the community takes an interest in his well being….
Well said Jonathon!! I couldn’t have said it better myself.
Mr. Richardson, I acknowledged that I am BLACK, but how do you know that the other “reviewers above” are white? Yes, I generally confront my own black people for their missteps and I APPRECIATE when they chastise ME about MY WRONGDOINGS. I continue to grow personally, professionally, and spiritually as a result of people “calling me out” for MY MISBEHAVIOR.
The BLIND SIDE MOVIE is about LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE. In Michael Oher’s interviews, HE often talks about the LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE that HE still receives from the Touhy Family. Michael contributed to the BLIND SIDE book and movie. Of course, there are “many layers to racial matters in this country,” but this TRUE LIFE STORY of MICHAEL OHER had less to do with the issue of race.
I am a big fan of professional football, so I know about the troubled life of Troy Smith who received strong childhood support from the family of Ted Ginns, Jr. (Miami Dolphins), as well as Duante Culpepper’s history and countless stories about the life struggles of other black NFL players. Perhaps Mr. Richardson, you or I could write an article, a book, or a screenplay to depict the complexities of race and relationships in America. It may get the attention that it deserves. GOD BLESS YOU MR. RICHARDSON!!!!!!!!!!
For the record, The book was written by Michael Lewis, not Michael Oher.
And I can’t recall once where Sandra Bullock flipped her hair in the manner in which we often say people their hair – in a way that is coy or flirtatious.
Great review of a great movie . . .
I went to this movie prepared to not like it at all. As a former athlete, I think sports movies generally come up a little short. What I learned was this was not a sports movie at all….
I will agree with some of the criticisms of the simplicity of the movie. As noted above, the Bullock character would be MORE admirable if a full disclosure of her racist upbringing was addressed. This is the hope of humanity right? The ability to change for the good in spite of bad role models and social mores. I do think there was a playing of cliches. However, I think the over-riding message was much stronger than those missteps.
The messages which I saw displayed were:
-the family certainly had no moral or legal obligation to Michael. Society had basically given up on Michael. Yet, they helped him anyway
-rather than sit in a church nodding their head at the admonition to “Love your brother as yourself”, they actually took action.
-the family,wealthy, white and raised and educated in the Deep South, surrounded by people who probably would never take such an action, saw past the superficial differences (age, race, education, upbringing, etc.) which obviously impact most people’s actions, and made the enormous, patient effort necessary to bring Michael into the home and help him.
-Maybe the story was not attempting to address race at all? Maybe it was simply a story being told on film of a heroic effort by a family that by all societal standards did something very few people, black or white, would consider doing?
I could go on for a bit more, but I have to get back to work!
Tysdaddy, if you are responding to A. Lewis, she stated that MIchael Oher contributed to the Blind Side book. Contributing (providing information) and writing a book are two different things.
I really like your web site , it’s filled with lot of information. You have earned one perennial visitor and a fan of this webiste.
A. Lewis, I look forward to working with you in some capacity.
Mr. Richardson, I look forward to working with you as well. My contact information is benard1@mac.com.
Wanda,
I was replying to mistaken information given in the review, authored by Clay Cane, as of the time I read it. I read it several times just to make sure I wasn’t reading it incorrectly, and then left my comment. The review has subsequently been updated, although that fact isn’t noted and my comment is still there. Perhaps the admin of this blog could delete my comment to avoid any further confusion . . .
I’m so glad to have found this review, because it makes the very points that I’ve been trying to make since I saw the first trailer for the film. My very first question was “what would Spike Lee think of this?” I just find it shocking that it’s been over 20 years now since Manthia Diawara wrote about race and spectatorship, exposing the guilt of Hollywood and cinema at large for racist apparatuses, like Clay mentioned the Great White Hope and the Magical Negro, and yet it’s 2009 and this film, being heralded across the media as a very good film, is a veritable field day for the theory of resistant spectatorship.
If it’s a “feel-good” movie, I’m afraid from everything I’ve read and seen that it’s “feel-good” for white audiences who think that the film is color blind, and that they are color blind in their identification with Sandra Bullock’s character.
In all, I’m just glad that I have this review now to support the claims I’ve been trying to make this whole time. Thank you very much for writing it!
This was one of the worst movies I have been to – very cheesy acting. One of Bullock’s worst performances. She was so good in Hope Floats – then this B movie. Other than salaries, this movie was probably made for about $100,00. I tried to get my money back at the theatre who will go unnamed but they said if they gave everybody’s money back that didn’t like it, they wouldn’t breakeven on the movie. This is the direction Hollywood has been told to go – the whole, multiracial, white guilt crap. I wonder how many airhead, self-promoting, no career white women, who married a rich, older man will now take it upon themselves to find a black kid to nurture. Then pat themselves on the back, and make a movie about themselves. Maybe next they will crash a White House dinner. These fads kill me.
It keeps bombarding us (for 4 years?): the princess frog, the blind side, etc…., yet another movie that big govt uses to brainwash us (the gullible ones) that interracial is good, White equals black etc. Obama voters and the politically correct will be drooling all over this sirupy movie
Kenhat,
It’s obvious that many people disagree with your review of this movie. The “Blind Side” grossed over $103,000,000 in just 10 days. It only took $29,000,000 dollars to make this movie (Go to Movies.com.). So, In 10 days, this movie made a big profit. Also, Sandra Bullock has an Oscar nomination buzz. Since you have a concern about the “white guilt crap,” why are you blogging on the BLACK ENTERTAINMENT WEBSITE? Go on with your racist self!
LOVED THE MOVIE!!!!! Went to go see it the first day it came out. It was a beautiful and moving true story that has nothing to do with race but everything to do with a family opening not only their home but their hearts to a soul who had nowhere to go and no one who cared. I love the Tuohy’s and wish that more people were like them. See past the color of ones skin to see the pain in their eyes. Michael Oher is also a beautiful and strong human being to be able to rise up and perservere despite his upbringing and where he came from. Congratulations to him and I wish him all the blessings in the world. Please stop making everything about race and racism, it’s OLD!!!! And yes for those wondering I am a black woman and I don’t use the race card at every turn in my life.
Well Said Mr. J. Richardson !
Stupid white family! They think they can “save the world” by taking in an unfortunate young man! How horrible!
This movie should have been about how the white man only produced this movie to feel good about himself! Its all about the allmighty dollar! They are using a young man’s misfortune to capitalize! This white family conspired to make money off the kid all along! May god help these white devils and their hidden guilt…Spike Lee would be outraged!!
(Who gives a f*** about Spike Lee anymore anyways?) But I digress….
White America has missed the boat yet again with a sorry attempt to right the ship. Hollywood would never put out a movie about a black family doing something positive for someone in their community!
This is an outrage!
/end sarcasm
The movie was so touching to me it really was upsetting that i wish i could have that courage like he had God Bless You BIG MICHAEL GO #74
Looked forward to see this movie for what seemed an eternity nefroe it was finallt released. I am a an avid LSU football fan an as such am rather familair with the story of Micheal Oher who attended Ole Miss, our traditional rival to the east. I, too, wish that the movie had gone harder with the subtle if not blantant racial issues which I am sure which the Tuohys had to encounter when they decided to open thier home to a classmate of Collins Tuohy, their teenage daughter.
It was Collins Tuohy who played a much larger role in the Micheal’s intergration of the family than did her kid brother IMHO. Her role was underplayed too much and I don’t think that Sandra Bullock wanted some hotter, younger actress upstaging her in this film, but there can be no doubt that if Collins Tuohy did not give her mother a warm impression of her classmate, Micheal Oher then Mrs. Tuohy just keeps on driving down Main Street. It would be great if someone were to seize upon the obvious potential of this film and make a tv series, one in which the myriad socio-economic issues could be address each week on BET or maybe some other network. It would be bigger than the “Fresh Prince” which was also based on a true story, Benny Medina (Jennifer Lopez’s former manager)’s life I believe. This movie was made for maxium profitability, but if BET made this movie into a series then it would not have to be so sugar-coated and we could really experience what it was like for the Tuohy and Michael Oher as he went through all of the challenges to private Christian school life, from transitioning from basketball shape to football shape while keeping his grades healthy/academic eligiblity – to dating upper middle class girls maybe even a white girlfreind of Collins -to the first 2008 Presidential Debate at Ole Miss which I am sure the Tuohys attended as proud alumni as both Collins and Michael were seniors that fall. Think of all the plot twist this series could have week to week?