[1]
I must be a blossoming Sandra Bullock fan. I hated Ms. Congeniality (and the sequel) and her other work (The Lake House and Premonition) bored me. But after watching The Proposal and falling in love, I decided to give her latest movie, The Blind Side, a try. Personally, I found this to be her best film performance ever. This wasn’t Sandra Bullock onscreen- this was Leigh Anne Tuohy.
Leigh Anne Tuohy (Bullock) is the wife of a wealthy fastfood business owner who dabbles in the various social circles of her community. She lives in a small castle in an upscale neighborhood, wears designer clothes and her kids attend a private Christian school. But the night she sees Big Mike (Quinton Aaron) trudging along the street in the pouring rain changes her life. In an act of charity, she invites the boy home for the night to escape the cold. As one night turns into months, Michael and Leigh Anne’s family become closer.
What ensues after the Tuohy family accepts Michael into their home is remarkable: he develops goals, gains an education and finds himself a member of a loving family who adore him. He isn’t the only one who has changed though- Leigh Anne has discovered a new side to life through love and compassion (one more fulfilling than nibbling salads at a ritzy restaurant). Her journey and Michael’s remind us how one small act of kindness can transform someone’s life and how love still exists in the world.
While it may sound like a cheesy plot, the movie isn’t superficial or fake; the
performances feel real. When it came to Bullock, I felt like I wasn’t watching someone act- I was watching the character. Tim McGraw is convincing as Sean, Leigh Anne’s husband. My favorite performance of the movie however, comes from Jae Head as S.J. Tuohy (Leigh Anne’s son). His comedic timing and beaming smile give the movie a lighter edge and I look forward to seeing his future work.
All in all, I really enjoyed the movie. The message was heartwarming, the story made me cry and it told the unbelievable true story of Michael Oher (who is currently an offensive line men for the Baltimore Ravens). If you’re looking for a feel-good film to get in the holiday spirit, check out The Blind Side.
About The Author
[2]