Family lends a helping hand to a homeless kid in ‘The Blind Side’

By Jessica Luthi
Editor-in-Chief

Over the years, there have been sports films that inspire, awe and amaze — including “Remember the Titans,” “The Great White Hope,” “The Babe,” and “Searching for Bobby Fischer.” “The Blind Side” takes sports films to a whole new level because the film creates a strong emotional connection between the audience and the characters.

“The Blind Side,” based on a book by Michael Lewis, takes us into the life of Michael Oher, an offensive tackle for the Baltimore Ravens. But the movie is not just about how Oher got drafted into the NFL or how he was the greatest athlete at his high school — it goes much deeper than that. “The Blind Side” explores how a homeless teenager is trying to survive against all odds and how his life is changed with the help of one family.

Oher, played by Quinton Aaron, is already homeless when he enters high school without much previous education. He struggles with everyday things we take for granted, such as finding somewhere to take a shower, a warm and safe place to sleep or completing his education.

Seeing Oher walk into a laundromat to wash his clothes in the sink, and toss them into a dryer someone else was using made me thankful I never had to go through what he went through
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By chance, he meets Leigh Ann Tuohy, played by Sandra Bullock, who takes him into her home and changes his life forever. Thanks to the Tuohy’s support and care, Oher manages to stay in school and eventually becomes an all-American athlete.

“The Blind Side” is a must-see movie. The performances are stellar, but what makes this film great is the story. It made me laugh and it made me cry.

Aaron is perfectly cast as Oher. Despite being a new actor working alongside seasoned professionals, he holds his own. His talent and believability make this movie a success. Bullock is at her best and “The Blind Side” could be one of her outstanding performances, right next to “Practical Magic” and “28 Days.”

There was only one thing wrong with this film — the depiction of Oher’s ability to play football. He may have had little academic education prior to living with the Tuohy’s, but I just don’t think he was ignorant when it came to the game. I think the director should have given him a bit more credit.

While that’s my only qualm, it doesn’t detract from the excellent story or the quality of the acting. “The Blind Side” appeals to sports junkies and casual movie-goers alike and is definitely worth the ticket price.