There are about fifty different ways I can write this little one-sided discussion on The Blind Side. But in the end, like most film reviews, it’ll come down to one of three things, positively, negatively or somewhere in the middle. I’ll get it out of the way and tell you I’m gonna be walking that “somewhere in the middle” tightrope here, so if you’re looking to see me praise it or bash it, apologies.
I honestly picked this film to watch first in my two week Best Picture marathon because I assumed that out of all the nominees it would be the one I liked the least. And, since there are still two films I’ve yet to see, I can’t really make that claim, yet…but I’d be willing to bet money on it for sure.
Here’s the thing though, it’s not a bad movie. Certainly if a film with as weak a script as Avatar has can be nominated for Best Picture, then The Blind Side is a shoe-in. The story is there, and for those of you who don’t already know it, go here. The acting is pretty good (I’ll get to Bullock in a second…) and, honestly, films like this are pretty hard to screw up directorially. Really, it’s not a bad film at all. It’s just not deserving of its nomination.
I’m hesitant to bash the message of the film or the way it’s structured, because I’m hoping it’s pretty accurate to the actual story, and, surprisingly some of the issues I’d bring up get addressed in the film as it unfolds (racism, white guilt, bigotry, faux Christianity and college football boosters). I think the film, or even just the story, is well aware of most of its own problems, and in the end it basically comes down to “Look, this is the way it happened for this one guy and it sucks that more people aren’t like this,” so, I guess my biggest issue with the movie is Sandra Bullock.
Now, maybe she plays the part perfect, I honestly can’t say because I’ve never even seen an interview with the real Leigh Anne Tuohy, but for me the entire performance is just too bombastic. It screams “Look at me, I’m pretending to be this flamboyant, bullhaded woman, aren’t I just the world’s most amazing actress?” I was reminded the entire film of Julia Roberts performance in Erin Brockovich (trust me, you don’t want me to get started on that film) and it just felt like a desperate plea for, yes, an Oscar nod. Which she got. And, after watching this movie I’m not so sure that the Academy will just hand it on over to Meryl, because, well, they love crap like this (i.e., Erin Brockovich). I’m sorry, I just don’t see it as anything more than that, and, while I won’t be upset if she wins, I’m hoping she doesn’t.
However, I found a few of the other performances to be not only delightful, but subtle and graceful as well (something I think SHOULD be rewarded more often by the folks handing out the statues). I’ll start with Tim McGraw as Sean Tuohy, Leigh Anne’s husband. First, I didn’t even recognize the guy, and he comes across very earnest and down-to earth, probably what many of us hope we’d be like if we ever found ourselves embarassingly wealthy. I would imagine that’s the kind of person it would take to reign in the the storm of a woman Bullock is playing. Very much a “speak softly and carry a big stick” type. Second, Quinton Aaron, who plays Oher. There’s not much to his resume (and only one film I recognize, Be Kind Rewind), but if The Blind Side is any indication, dude can act. I’d be interested to see what kind of one-on-one time he had with the real Oher and how much of him we actually see on screen. Hate to repeat my self, but everything the guy does is just so subtle. A majority of his performance is in his facial reaction; he says volumes and never speaks a word. That’s either extremely great direction or fantastic acting (obviously I’m going with the latter, John Lee Hancock, the director, doesn’t have such a great track record). For those two performances alone I’d say it’s worth watching the film. The comic relief of Jae Head as S.J. Tuohy is a bit grinding at times, but occasionally cute and Lily Collins is almost nonexistent in the film as the sister. Two other performances I wanted to mention: Kathy Bates as Miss Sue, Oher’s tutor, seemed…well, inexplicable. I mean, she’s Kathy freaking Bates, of course she’s good, but it almost felt like there should have been a blurb at the beginning of the film that said “Guest Starring Kathy Bates.” Just felt off, but she has a few of the better laughs in the film (and one cringe worthy scene which falls on both the script and director I’d imagine). And, Ray McKinnon as the coach. I’ve loved McKinnon since he showed up as Vernon T. Waldrip in O Brother, but I gotta say he came off mildly annoying here at times. But, most of those are the scenes he shares with Bullock, so maybe it was my dislike of her performance rubbing off on him. Oh, yeah, and boat load of college coaches (alot of them SEC) pop in as themselves. They aren’t actors for a reason, but it was a nice touch I guess.
So, yeah, not a great film, but a good one, despite Bullock’s over-the-top antics. If you’re a football fan, or just wanna watch something a tad more “feel good” then it’s probably worth your time, but it’s certainly not for everyone.
