Guest Blogger: Chelsea W2

The Blind Side
Michael Oher is a young African American boy who has had it rough his entire life. He was separated from his mother as a child and lived on the streets most of his life. He hops from couch to couch, but finally gets a break when a friend’s father talks his way into letting Michael join a private high school. They see his potential in becoming a great athlete because of his size; he is both tall and large. An uptown rich mother, Leigh Anne Tuohy and her husband, Sean, decide to take Michael under their wings. They clothe, shelter, and feed him. Michael then decides to try out for football. At first he isn’t so great, but then becomes very aggressive and makes the all-star team. All the college coaches begin to notice his athleticism and they try to recruit him. University of Tennessee and University of Missouri are both his top choices. Leigh Anne and Sean went to the University of Missouri, but would he decide the same? Leigh Anne Tuohy is played by Sandra Bullock, and is outstanding. She seems very sincere in this movie and realistic. Tim McGraw played the character Sean, which he also did a very good job. He was comical and serious at crucial moments of the movie. The main character, Michael, was played by the actor Quinton Aaron, who is a fresh-face in the movie industry. His acting was very realistic and the story he told was inspirational. Michael wanted to become something better than a thug, so he worked hard and began to raise his GPA by being tutored every night for hours. Michael is portrayed as a big teddy bear; he’s tall, built, but very soft spoken and simple minded. Leigh Anne is a determined, strong, independent, loving, caring woman who wants the best for her family. Sean also wants the best for his family, but is more soft spoken and laid back than Leigh Anne. The theme for this movie is a fish out of water because Michael is put into situations that he is unfamiliar with like a home, family, clothes, school, athletics, attention, and love. I also think that the theme is good things happen to good people and, in this case, Michael was given a life that he’s never had before. The audience can learn that anything can happen to you, but at the same time, you can make a dream come true for someone else who is less fortunate. Critics say that it is one of the best movies of the year and I would have to agree. I also agree with critics who say it is Sandra Bullock’s best performance since Crash. The Blind Side is inspirational because it is a true story. I think it is worth your time and money because of its great reviews and it will inspire you to want to do something better for yourself or someone else.