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B: The Blind Side #AToZChallenge


Movie Name: The Blind Side
Language: English
Genre: Biographical Sports Drama
Cast: Sandra Bullock, Quinton Aaron
Director: John Lee Hancock
Year Of Release: 2009


What it is about:

Due to his mother's drug addiction, the now seventeen year old Micheal Oher or Big Mike has been in and out of foster homes since his childhood. Every time he is placed in a new home, he runs away. When he gets enrolled to Wingate Christian School and its football team due to his size and strength despite his poor academic scores, he befriends SJ Tuohy or Sean Junior who treats Mike with kindness. When SJ's mother Leigh Ann Tuohy notices Mike walking alone on the streets one night, without any warm clothes, she takes him home and lets him sleep on the couch. The Tuohys are a rich and happy family and quickly warm up to Mike and soon he starts living with them and even takes part in their Thanksgiving celebration and is a part of their holiday card. When Leigh Ann's friends reprimand her for taking him in while having a young daughter at home, she gives them a piece of her mind and walks away.

When Michael appears to be hesitant to use his strength and size while learning to play football, Leigh Anne has a talk with him and he improves drastically. Leigh Ann then decides to adopt Mike legally and reaches out to his biological mother. As Mike succeeds in football, many schools line up to take him in, but Mike chooses to attend Ole Miss, where Sean Senior had played and Leigh Anne had been a cheerleader. This causes the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to look into the matter thinking that the Tuohys took in Mike only to influence him to play for their Alma Mater. The NCAA holds private investigations with Mike and this rattles him up. He even begins to question the love the Tuohys have for him. What is going to happen to this little happy family that now includes big Mike?

What I loved about it:

Sandra Bullock won an Oscar for playing Leigh Ann Tuohy and many people questioned the choice of the Academy for this, but I thought it was very well deserved. She plays the pompous interior designer to the T, with the bling and all. Never does she once look down upon Mike. Honestly, she probably is the first one to accept him whole heartedly into the family. Mike is an adorable character too and even if you are made of stone you will feel for him. He's lost, literally, and is struggling to find himself. His past understandably disturbs him and he's trying to come to terms with his existence. The way Leigh Ann and her family accepts him and looks out for him is surely a lesson in humanity and kindness.


Right from accepting him the way he is to buying him his "bumblebee" clothes, Leigh Ann is the perfect guardian to Mike. Initially I thought that she was doing this as a charity project, but later I realized that she actually wanted to help him. It is very hard to look for kindness in filthy rich people, but the Tuohys show you how it is done. The whole family is so sweet to him and quickly accept him as a part of them in-spite of him being nothing like them. Quinton Aaron plays Mike with all his heart. Three scenes in particular are my favorite. First, the one where Mike calls Leigh Ann 'Mama' for the first time. Second, when he stands up for his new mother and sister in front of his old friends. Third, the final hug. I still shed a tear or two when I watch this scene. Kathy Bates in a vital special appearance is a bonus too.

The film ends with information about and photos of the real Tuohy family and Michael Oher, who went on to play in the National Football League.

Watch this movie for the sheer brilliance of the actors involved as well as the warm fuzzy storyline.

Runners-up: The Bucket List (English), Brokeback Mountain (English), Bangalore Days (Malayalam).

This post is a part of the A To Z Challenge for April, where my theme for this year is Movies I Love.

Comments

  1. I have only seen the beginning of this film, and loved it. Each time I pass it by while surfing Netflix, I wonder why I don't stop and watch it!
    You know, Soumya, I am making a TBW (to be watched) movie list now that you are doing this theme and adding this film to it. :)
    Thank you, babe!

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    1. Do watch the whole movie, it is way too beautiful.

      Haha, you're welcome, babe <3

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  2. Sowmya, I found this movie to be decent, not something I would go wow wow about, but nice. SAndra Bullock did a fairly decent job. It has its moments, but then as you say, I would give to the sheer brilliance of the actors

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    1. Many others have told me the same thing, Ramya, but I have always liked off-beat not so popular movies. This one struck a chord with me, maybe because I've had a tough childhood as well.

      The acting in the movie is way too good.

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  3. And this one goes in my Must Watch List. I am glad that by the end of this month, I will have a list some fabulous movies to watch, courtesy you :)

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    1. I'm sure you'll love this one, Shilpa. Do watch it and let me know what you think of it.

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  4. Oh, I have loved this one. It is one of my favorite movies and Bangalore days too :P

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  5. Though not a big fan of Sandra Bullock, this one seems to impress. I enjoyed reading your review. Thanks Soumya.

    My caffeine intake is in moderation, thankfully. I don't like black coffee or teas and since I'm a bit lactose intolerant, I end up having decently small amounts. Need to up my herbal tea intake though.

    Interesting perspective.

    Natasha
    natashamusing

    April Anecdotes
    Control

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    1. I'm not a fan of her, either, but she shines through in this one. Do watch it.

      Thanks for visiting, Natasha.

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  6. I loved this movie and was drawn to the character of Micheal but it was Leanne with her larger than life personality who manages to steal the thunder! She was impressive as the rich lady living in the right side of the town but who doesnt back down and sticks to her guns even when she is threatened by the Black toughies.

    Color Master by Aimee Bender #atozchallenge

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    1. Oh you bet! I loved her character so much in this.

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  7. I am a huuuuuge fan of Sandra Bullock and saw this movie several times. I thought it was adorable. And yes, Mike stole my heart. I remember thinking how they managed to weave sensitive in so skillfully! Great movie choice!

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    1. I know, right! Such a sensitive story that was handled so beautifully.

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  8. I watched this movie a few years back and totally loved it. I think it is time to watch it again now. :)

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    1. I can watch it any number of times, its way too beautiful.

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