Bullock Is Dazzling in Blind Side

The Blind Side

While screening The Blind Side, recollections of Paul Bunyan, the larger-than-life folk hero who was a symbol of might with a willingness to work hard and overcome obstacles kept drifting through the memory bank.

Although at first unwilling to work at much of anything that didn't involve a ball, the film's central character Michael Oher, played by Quinton Aaron, sweeps viewers into this intriguing story with a level of anxiety that doesn't subside until the final resolution. Like Paul Bunyan he has a massive size that inhibits socialization for a while, but becomes the keystone for his future success.

The Blind Side, based on the book by Michael Lewis, is about a reclusive son of a drug-addled single mom who suddenly becomes one of the most valued college football prospects in America. One of thirteen children, he has no formal education, no social skills and no athletic experience. However, when spotted by Leigh Anne Touhy (Sandra Bullock) wandering down a road on a freezing cold night in Memphis, Tennessee, he becomes part of her family and a new world opens up. Married to successful entrepreneur Sean Tuoy, (Tim Mc Graw), she places Michael in the private school her children attend. He struggles to adapt.

His teachers are dismayed with Michael's lack of education, but that eventually improves enough that the giant figure that is Michael becomes eligible to go out for the school's football team. He stumbles through practice while both Touhy's watch on the sideline. Frustrated with the coach's inadequate method of communicating, Leigh Anne stomps out on the playing field and with a few essential maneuvers and comments explains to Michael how to play as a defensive tackle.

Diagnosed with a lack of agility, the coach sets Michael up with exercises to improve his condition. His younger brother S. J. (Joe Head) becomes his trainer and these scenes are remarkable and entertaining. Soon his poor grade point average is discovered and Leigh Anne is faced with hiring a tutor to get Michael into college and a hoped for football scholarship.

Enter Kathy Bates, who is ideal as Michael's tutor, Miss Sue. She announces to Leigh Anne and her hugely Republican family that they need to know one important thing about her before she's hired. She is a Democrat! She is successful and soon football coaches from across Dixie come to call on Michael attempting to recruit him to their school. The three finalists are Ole Miss, LSU and Tennessee. To learn Michael's choice, show up at the box office and buy a ticket.