The Blind Side

Every now and then, life serves up some unexpected events. One of them is the incredible true story of Michael Oher, a homeless black teenager from the projects of Memphis who was suddenly given shelter, education and life goals by strangers - the wealthy white Tuohy family, led by fiery matriarch Leigh Anne.

While the movie of the story was about as inevitable as the return of Britain’s Got Talent, cynics’ mouths fell wide open at the news of Sandra Bullock’s Oscar nomination for her role as Leigh Anne (which led to a win at last night's awards). So, rather unfairly, the film’s attendance figures and critical success have come to rest on Bullock’s shoulders. Is she strong enough? Was the nomination justified?

Well, sort of. Yes, this is probably her best (and only good) role since Crash; an opportunity for Bullock to show that steely side of her that gets bent every time she falls over in rom-coms. With that strong Southern accent and the blonde dye job, Leigh Anne Tuohy looks like Bullock’s (more stylish) Erin Brockovich.

Unfortunately, writer-director John Lee Hancock (The Rookie) is definitely no Steven Soderbergh, and as such the part is no real stretch for Bullock. While she keeps Leigh Anne from falling too far into sentimentality, she gets no lifelines in terms of psychological depth from the oft-cheesy script. The plot and character arcs pan out so conventionally that this ‘incredible true story’ never feels like an incredible true story. For example, Leigh Anne’s tirade against a racist at a football game (where the title comes from) - in defence of her ‘son’ Michael - could have been scripted by any Hallmark TV writer. Even if the real Leigh Anne made the same speech verbatim, the film reeks of black-and-white categorisation; goodies and baddies.

The film is not without merit, however, particularly in a ‘greyer’ scene where Leigh Anne visits Michael’s real mother. There’s also a commendable effort to focus on non-blood family rather than football, however gauche it may be. Country singer Tim McGraw gives strong support as Mr Tuohy, while, as a private tutor trying to dissuade Michael from going to Tennessee, Kathy Bates runs away with one of the film’s funniest moments.

A bit of a mixed bag, The Blind Side is simultaneously eye-rolling and entertaining, and guaranteed to make mothers everywhere hug their sons. One wonders, however, how cosy and warm it would come across if we didn’t know it was based on a true story...



Released in cinemas on 26th March 2010 by Warner Bros.

Written by Polis Loizou.