The Blind SideStarring Sandra Bullock, Quinton Aaron
Directed by John Lee Hancock
Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner
Leigh Anne Tuohy is a force of nature. As played by Sandra Bullock in The Blind Side, this mother of two, who lives in a mansion and works as an interior designer, says what she thinks and does what she wants. These qualities can be annoying or obnoxious, but here they spring from a good heart and purposeful spirit so we admire her spunk and find ourselves amused by her directness. It’s also a testament to Bullock’s acting skills and likeability that we accept her Type A personality with open arms.
Her mission today is helping a large (6’6”, 350 pounds?) underprivileged kid with no place to stay. Michael (Quinton Aaron) attends the same private Christian school as Leigh Anne’s kids, where his size and color make him stand out like a sore thumb. He’s a quiet giant, barely speaks and some of the teachers think he may be mentally challenged. Leigh Anne places him on the couch one rainy night, apologizing that no bedroom is available (which seemed ludicrous, the place looks like it has 20 bedrooms from outside). Her easygoing multi-millionaire husband, a star point guard for Ole Miss back in the day when his wife was a cheerleader, now owns Taco Bell’s and several other fast food outlets. Country singer and occasional actor Tim McGraw plays the role. He understands his purpose, straight man to Bullock’s force of nature, and plays the part with admirable restraint.
The Tuohy’s children, a teen-aged girl and boy in middle school, play prominent roles. The son, S.J., steals many scenes with his quirky voice, friendly manner and a booming personality that comes straight from his Mother. He’s a Lilliputian compared to Michael’s Gulliver, and the contrast works well cinematically.
One of the film’s greatest strengths is that it doesn’t gloss over the hard and obvious questions, even though it’s wrapped in an attractive heartwarming package. After bringing Michael home for the first time, Leigh Anne worries to her husband whether she did the right thing, and if anything will be missing from their lovely mansion in the morning. It’s the first sign she isn’t merely an attractive steamroller, but has doubts, which makes her human and likeable all the more. But not to worry, Michael’s gone in the morning, and the sheets and blankets he used last night are carefully folded at the end of the couch.
Later, Leigh Anne has a heart-to-heart with her daughter, Collins, wanting to know if she feels uncomfortable with Michael living in the house. Collins (a great first name, also the last name of the actress playing the role) has a decent heart and refuses to stand in the way, though teenaged angst makes the arrangement less than perfect for her social life.
But the grittiest scenes take place in the projects, from whence Michael came, as he and Leigh Anne confront his past, in stark contrast to the privileged life and quality education he’s been lucky enough to find. Michael’s mother appears only briefly, and in one powerful scene when Leigh Anne, seeking guardianship, tracks her down, not because she’s required to but because it’s the right thing to do. The mother is a drug addict with many children from many men. She lives alone, in no condition to take care of anyone, let alone herself. Adriane Lenox, an amazing actress I’ve never seen before, plays the role with heartbreak, dignity and power. She lets us know that she understands her own limitations. The scene ends with the two women clutching hands, perhaps the film’s most moving moment.
I haven’t even mentioned football which takes up significant screen time. Michael’s size and protective qualities make him a natural offensive lineman once he understands the game. The scenes of his athletic education and eventual mastery are fun and effective. The movie is based on a true life story and Michael Oher now plays for the Baltimore Ravens. Real life footage of NFL draft day ends the film. It’s a fitting reminder that Hollywood fairy tales about characters who overcome adversity and long odds to triumph (aided by wise old men, or sometimes stylish women in designer clothes and high heels) happen in real life as well. Perhaps more than we think.
7¼ out of 10 (recommended) on the Movie Fraction Rating System™
