Directed by John Lee Hancock

When you open your eyes the past is gone, the world is a good place, and its all going to be okay. This line, as presented by Quinton Aaron, is not a line many people have to whisper to themselves just to manage through the day. Unfortunately, for Michael Oher, this was the case. Quinton Aaron is an actor in the film, the Blind Side, who portrays the character Michael Oher. The Blind Side, directed by John Lee Hancock, was released in 2009 and many characters were portrayed by well-known actors such as Aaron. Some of these main leads include Sandra Bullock, portraying Leigh Anne Tuohy, Tim McGraw, playing husband Sean Tuohy, Jae Head, cast as S.J. Tuohy, and Lily Collins, as Collins Tuohy. This cast of characters accurately portrayed the roles of a rich, southern white family, with the exception of Mr. Michael Oher. With an estimated budget of 29,000,000 dollars, director John Lee Hancock did an outstanding job of retelling an inspirational and uplifting tale that will remain a classic for generations to come.

This inspiring blockbuster, the Blind Side, was actually based on both a true story and a book. The director, John Lee Hancock, was handed the book to read and decide if he was interested in producing it in the theatre. Initially, Hancock explained he did not want to direct another sports movie, but upon further delving into the story he discovered the plot not to be centered around football, but rather on a unique mother-son relationship. Michael Oher was born and raised as an African American living in the projects, or more specifically, Hurt Village, an area filled with crime in Northern Memphis. As the movie and novel both explain, Ohers mother was addicted to crack cocaine her whole life, and his father was brutally murdered. Michael Oher, or as he was known around town as Big Mike, was barely literate and was essentially self-reliant. Without a mother or community to assist him, Oher grew up on the streets where he began to play basketball. Upon noticing Big Mike, a rich, Christian, southern white family graciously accepted Michael into their home as a visitor, and eventually as a member of their family. The Tuohys, Michaels adoptive parents, had one goal: to give Oher the tools to prosper and succeed. The Tuohys started Oher in their local football program, where Leigh Anne Tuohy reigned over all coaches and staff. Oher discovered himself as a football prodigy, and after accepting help from a tutor, Big Mike who was once a product of the projects became an NCAA Division I athlete. With the help of the Tuohy family, Michael Oher was the first-round pick of the 2009 NFL draft, as he signed with the Baltimore Ravens. While many of the actors did accurately portray their characters, both Quinton Aaron and Sandra Bullock took their roles above and beyond. Quinton Aaron both resembled Big Mike physically, seeing as he walks with a size twenty-three shoe, and emotionally, as he puts off the aura of a gentle giant. Like Oher, Aaron never possessed the toughness formed by years on the streets. For these reasons and his phenomenal acting, Quinton Aaron was the perfect actor for the role of Michael Oher. Quinton Aarons portrayal of Oher was spot on, but Sandra Bullock truly blew her role out of the water. Bullock captured all the elements of a wealthy, southern white woman, no matter how difficult it may be. Sandra Bullock was headstrong, determined, stubborn, the ultimate mamma-bear, and most of all, generous. Leigh Anne Tuohys character would have been a difficult one to portray because the detail is what makes her unique, but by combining all these qualities into one stubborn package, Sandra Bullocks performance defined the film. As it was based on a book and a true tale, both the actors and director of the film did an outstanding job capturing all the aspects of the inspiration that is the Blind Side.

All in all, the Blind Side did receive mixed reviews. Many critics agree that the acting and riveting football scenes made the movie, but some explained the tale and production itself to be superficial. Similar to critics reviews, audience members were not sold on the film as being Oscar worthy, but did note the amazing role of Sandra Bullock and stated that her acting alone deserved some type of award. At the end of the day, both critics and audience members agree that the film was slightly entertaining, but the acting was the best portion of the movie. Personally, I believed the film to be much more in depth than others. I found John Lee Hancocks film to be nothing less than inspirational. In it I found the drive to better myself as a woman, as a Christian, and as a person. Like the Tuohys I was taught that I can make a difference in the world, although maybe not on as big of a scale. Overall, these lessons taught to me throughout the Blind Side are ones I that will have a lasting impression on me as a finish my chapter of high school, and begin a new one in college. Like Michael Oher, I hope to use my drive and determination to succeed in all my hopes and dreams, and let no obstacle intervene.

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