The Blind Side

Simply put: If you liked Jerry Maguire or Antwone Fisher (both excellent films, by the way) then you’ll definitely like The Blind Side. It’s not so much a movie about football as it is a movie about human kindness, defining family, overcoming adversity, and beating the odds. In other words (if you’re a sap like me), bring Kleenex.

The Blind Side is based on the true story of NFL rookie Michael Oher before he joined the pros (go Ravens!). It chronicles Oher’s journey from a quiet, troubled, homeless teen to the adopted son of an affluent, compassionate, football-obsessed family in Memphis.

Newcomer Quinton Aaron does an admirable job playing Oher. But the strongest performances come from Sandra Bullock as Oher’s modern-day fairy godmother, Leigh Anne Tuohy, and from country music star Tim McGraw as her incredibly endearing husband, Sean. Much of the comic relief comes from young Jae Head, who plays Oher’s adopted brother and all-purpose cheerleader, coach and videographer, S.J. Tuohy.

The Blind Side is a feel-good movie, designed to showcase how doing the right thing – simply because it’s the right thing to do – can yield some powerful and surprising results. No doubt there’s been some dramatic license taken in parts… Oher himself has said the movie gives the false impression that he didn’t know anything about football before the Tuohys took him under their wing. That said, however, there’s very little doubt that without the Tuohys, Oher’s life would have taken him down a very different path… millions of yards away from the professional gridiron.

For more on Oher’s compelling story, check out the book, “The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game”, by Michael Lewis.