Michael Oher is a down on his luck teenager who has spent years in different foster homes and has had a lack of formal education, due to the fact that his mother was a crack addict and his father was in jail. Thanks to the help of a friend, Michael applies and enrolls in a private Christian school. Due to his lack of a education however, Michael begins his first year by struggling to succeed in his school work. He also has no place to stay as his mother has moved. Michael soon befriends Leigh Anne Tuohy, a fiery Tennessee designer, and her family, who offer him a place to stay and eventually adopt him. The Tuohys help Michael's life improve greatly as his grades improve, he joins the school's football team, he is accepted into college, and eventually, becomes an offensive lineman for the Baltimore Ravens. I've seen plenty of inspiritational sports movies growing up, so when I went to see the Blind Side, I was expecting pretty much the same thing. I was surprised to find that The Blind Side went into a slightly different direction. Michael Oher is an underdog, but he is a realistic underdog that has gone through some very tough times it seems. The part of his life portrayed in the film is handled with an effective portrayal. Quinton Aaron, who plays Oher himself, portrays Oher as shy, quiet, and friendly so that the audience can really start to like him. Sandra Bullock plays Oher's guardian Leigh Anne Tuohy almost effotlessly with sense of fierce stubborness and kindness that made her Oscar win well deserved. Bullock also has nice chemistry with Tim Graw who plays Leigh Anne's husband Sean and Jae Head and Lily Collins, who play the Tuohy children SJ and Collins, respectably. Overall, I think The Blind Side is a nice warm and fuzzy touch to it and its in a safe and comfortably funny bubble. The only complaint I have is that, while Michael wondering if the Tuohys were forcing him to go to a certain college was an interesting diversion compared to the formula of other sports movies, it seemed unnecessary and lazy in the writing for the character to go back with the crooks in his old life, only to realize its a mistake. Despite that, its a warm and fuzzy movie that puts you in a good mood. 3 of 5 stars.
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