Whether you love or hate her, Sandra Bullock is undoubtedly one of America’s most successful actresses. In 2009 alone, “America’s Sweetheart” has grossed over $400 million dollars with her movies while opening new doors to her career. The new football biopic, The Blind Side, opened November 20 with strongly positive reviews and impressive box-office bank. But the praise from both critics and audiences aren’t all about the extraordinary true story told in The Blind Side, but rather Sandra Bullock’s outstanding performance that is rumored to get her an Oscar nod.
The Blind Side centers on a well-to-do rich white family that takes in a homeless, under educated black teen. With help from the extremely liberal Tuohy’s, Michael Oher adopts a roof to sleep under, clothes on his back, a private Christian school education, but most importantly – a family. With this nourishment, he develops into a devoted young man with an impressive talent in football – more specifically, protecting his team’s blind side. After his talent becomes noticeable by college football coaches across America, Michael has to work extra hard to achieve the grades required to play in division I football, as well as decide what college is best for him as an athlete and a person.
I thought this movie was entertaining, funny, and touching. The gripping story takes you in and lets you grow with a family who thought they had it all, but were missing one part of the puzzle. Every character has their own unique background, and unlike most movies, you get to take a deeper look into their stories and why they’re important. And this is exactly how The Blind Side keeps your attention – by occasionally dicing in new and interesting characters that both enrich the story and tug at your heart strings. The cast in this movie was phenomenal, and for once in a long time, made me forget I was watching a movie, but rather made me feel like I was a part of a story.
The real sensation in The Blind Side is Sandra Bullock. She is feisty, tough, and has proven to be believably southern. Bullock’s performance makes up entirely for this summer’s flop All About Steve, and finally tops her under-appreciated role as the stuck up house-wife in 2005’s Best Picture winner Crash. Bullock keeps this movie afloat while letting you fall head-over-heels in love with the larger-than-life Leigh Anne Tuohy.
Although Bullock stole the show, the supporting cast still proves to be exquisite. Grammy Award winning country singer Tim McGraw stars as Sandra Bullock’s husband, who brings in their wealth from his ownership of a string of Taco Bell restaurants. McGraw gives a solid performance and shows surprising chemistry with Bullock and their onscreen kids played by Lily Collins and Jae Head. Newcomer Quinton Aaron stars as Michael Oher, and does a good job as well, also receiving award buzz from various critics. Kathy Bates and Adriane Lenox have small but strong performances as well.
The Blind Side does more than offer a feel-good alternative to the intense vampire craze that has engulfed the majority of America’s youth, but instead, gives you an inside look into an inspiring true story that needs to be heard. Earning an astounding $250 million in its nine weeks of production, The Blind Side seems to have proven itself to be the little movie that could. With its strong cast, rich quality, and beautiful story, I can honestly say that I have happily been blindsided.