The Blindside

A "Blind Side" in football terms is the spot where a quarterback cannot see. If this place is left unprotected then the quarterback is open to be squished flat by an opposing team member. That is where Michael "Big Mike" Oher comes in. Let us just say that if you wanted to be your bodyguard, he would be the guy you would want to pick.

After being taken away from his family when he was little, Michael traveled from foster home to foster home, being what the government calls "a runner". He was failing in his senior year of high school and had a very low GPA score, although he was not stupid. He was also found to be very protective of others and was really good at sports, considering that he had a giant body frame, but was still quick. With no one to watch him, he spent much of his life having to fend for himself.

Unfortunately no one really took notice of Michael's good qualities until he was taken in by a kind middle-class Christian family, the Tuohy's. They consisted of the parents, Leigh (Sandra Bullock) and Sean (Tim McGraw) and also two children, Collins and S.J. . They all accept Michael and help him succeed in life while giving him more than just the necessities of life, while he helps them grow closer together.

I went into this movie not really wanting to see it, I left pleased with it though. The main reason I did not really care to see it is because I thought it was just another one of those sports movies that try to inspire people. It actually makes the movie more lifelike when photos of the real Michael are shown over the credits. (The movie is based on a book, which is based on real-life events). The first half of the movie does not even show or mention football much. When it is finally shown more often, it does not show the games in great detail. The sports are included just for addition to the storyline. There is also a surprising twist in the story near the end of the film.


As for the acting, Bullock just did okay, Tim McGraw did better, and the best were actually the actors who portrayed Michael (Quinton Aaron) and S.J. (Jae Head). The soundtrack was not really noticeable, annoying or wonderful. There are a few moments of drinking, smoking, and also a few uses of some bad language, though no "F words" in it. Leigh actually don't say "the A word" to her family. During a car accident, there is some blood that is shown on the victims of the incident, though they are not bothered much by the injuries. At another point of the movie, it is mentioned briefly to Michael not to get a girl pregnant or else a certain private part will be cut off as a punishment. The camera also closely shows a married couple kissing each other on the face.

The story is a classic one that belongs in the heart of a movie lover right along with "The Pursuit of Happiness". If you are looking for a movie without explosions and just a quality movie this holiday, look no further for this is it.