Review of The Blind Side (2009) by James C — 20 Jan 2013

If wealth is less about money and more about what really matters, then this is truly a rags to riches tale. The Blind Side follows the story of Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron). The audience watch Oher rise from homeless teen to star athlete, thanks to be welcomed into the family home of Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock). In this sense, it is also a "good Samaritan" story.

The story is the best thing about this film. Unfortunately it is delivered in such a superficial way that it lacks the drama, suspense, excitement, edge and power that it should have had and required. From the classroom, to the streets, to the family home, to the football field, it all feels the same. The movie is like a calm flowing river that has no breaks, whitewater or falls. It just flows smoothly and quietly from start to finish. With the topics that are covered in The Blindside this should not be the case. Perhaps it was fashioned in this way, always aware of the family audience. For whatever reason, it is seriously diluted and the viewers' entertainment along with the story's integrity suffer because of this.

Sandra Bullock is not a favourite of mine but she does the job that she is there to do. Her accent is shaky but her performance is solid. Quinton Aaron was questionable at times, but on the whole delivers the performance on which the rest of the film relies. John Lee Hancock (Director) is to who I would point my finger concerning the films main shortfalls. His ability to make the story, he is turning into a movie, exciting, passionate, gritty and powerful is very weak. This is not only the case with The Blind Side but with The Rookie, The Alamo and Snow White and The Huntsman.

In conclusion, it's a heavy, powerful yet delicate story about a heavy, powerful yet delicate man made into a light, weak yet clumsy movie. What a missed opportunity.