THE BLIND SIDE (2009)

 

Written & Directed By: John Lee Hancock  Based on the book “THE BLIND SIDE: EVOLUTION OF A GAME” By: Michael Lewis  Cinematography: Alar Kivilo  Editor: Mark Livolsi 

Cast: Sandra Bullock, Kathy Bates, Quinton Aaron, Tim McGraw, Kim Dickens, Lily Collins, Ray McKinnon, Irone Singleton, Omar J. Dorsey, Adriane Lenox

The story of Michael Oher, a homeless and traumatized boy who became an All-American football player and first-round NFL draft pick with the help of a caring woman and her family.

I can’t help it. I am a sucker for a lot of tear jerkers. I know the emotional manipulation techniques they use. The emphasis on all the good things that are done.

This one is pretty standard except it also contains the tags to riches story, the orphan story, overcoming The odds, and helping lead the team to victory. In the wrong hands, this could have been just another faith-based movie 

The film is based On The true story of football player Michael Oher,

Now I am a Sandra Bullock fan for the most part and here she gives a strong performance in the less glamorized fresh prince of bel Air like story.

The film is pretty basic and hits all the right familiar notes. Not too much you haven’t seen before. It’s good family entertainment and inspiration.

One of the problems one has with the movie is that there are scenes that have Michael bond with each individual member of the family alone throughout the film, even bonding with his teacher and tutor, but when it comes to the father in the family. He only bonds with him when the whole family is surrounded. Which seems more forced. It’s a nitpick but it bothered me and made me feel like the father went with the flow. But I didn't necessarily want to adopt him.

The film also could have been a little fairer to Michael's character by making him more of a character. Allowing him to show more emotions. Here he is played as the familiar screen type for African Americans. The gentle giant and while he might be in real life. I’m sure there is more to his character than What is presented on screen. Which is simple and all things to all people. The saintly black character helps all The Caucasian characters with their problems.

Especially when most of the African American characters shown in the film aren’t exactly positive characterizations. In fact more than is needed are more villainous than anything. This is disturbing especially when it is not the same way when it comes to the Caucasian characters

I will give the film credit that it has an absence of real conflict. As everything seems to happen smoothly and successfully. Conflict only occurs towards the end and at that point it feels more minor.

Maybe the reason it is left out is to show both the family and him coping with these strangers around them

And how they go against the wishes of their friends to do what they feel is right.

It makes almost everyone come off as saintly. Which would be fine as a movie of the week or a Disney film. While I enjoy the film. I think there is a strong enough story to make a better film. All parties involved do their job.

Some Like Ms. Bullock go above and beyond. While not the most powerful of actresses, she is always a likeable screen presence. A star can still disappear at times inside of a character. So it’s nice when she decides to stretch past the romantic comedies that are her forte and actually invest herself in a drama. Lightweight as it might be, but at least she tires and in this case succeeds.

Grade: C+