Jason KingThe Blind Side (6/10)
March 9th 2010 04:55
:
Gratz Sandra
Category: No Category
The Blind Side (6/10)
With Sandra Bullock's Oscar win yesterday I thought it high time I pulled my finger out and wrote the review for Blind Side.
Firstly, massive congratulations to Bullock, after years of mediocrity she has now reached a career pinnacle I hope she continues on with better and better roles.
For me her role is a good one and show's strength and complete ownership of the character but unfortunately for me that is about all the film does for me.
Bullock stars alongside a large cast, including Oscar winner Kathy Bates (Misery) in the true story of All American Football star Michael Oher. Giant teenager Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron) is surviving on his own, virtually homeless, when he is spotted on the street by Leigh Anne Tuohy (Bullock). Learning the young man is one of his daughter's classmates Leigh Anne insists that Michael come out of the cold. Without hesitation she insists that Michael stay at the family home for the night. This gesture of kindness develops, as Michael becomes part of the Tuohy family despite gaping differences in their backgrounds. Living with his new "family" Michael faces numerous challenges to overcome. And as the Tuohy family help him fulfill his potential, both on and off the field, Michael's presence in the family lead them to some insightful self discoveries of their own.
I have mentioned Bullock was great in the role, I do not think she was the best of the nominees in this year's Oscars and surely it is time Meryl got an Oscar for all her nominations. Eighteen years since she won but nominated nearly every second year. I think Bullock received this as it is her best role and she is such a lovable person with not an evil bone in her body. Some have been calling it a "career Oscar" - earned not solely for the role of nomination but for what she has done for the industry. Also surprising that the week she wins an Oscar she also wins a Razzie for the worst acted role of the year in All About Steve - now that is diversity
My biggest gripe about this film and it bugged me from about ten minutes in, it is lacking in any reality besides the fairy tale rise of Oher and the perfect family in their support of him. It is so glossy and sugar coated it should have been a Disney film. Sean describes it as a "Hallmark Card on film" and I could not have put it better myself. And this is where the mass appeal came from for this film. It's a Middle America church film. In that sense it's brilliant but to me it was a lame piece of work. If you can remember the TV show "7th Heaven" then this is the film version.
Quinton Aaron is ok in this role and he pulls off the bulky Oher, I forgive him as his character it appears is meant to be some kind of depressed simpleton. I feel the heartache the real Oher went through and I know this may make the person reserved and shy but he is so reserved and shy he comes across as a hulking bore. I don't mean to be nasty, I read this back and feel like an ass, this is not my intention. Tim McGraw (Friday Night Lights, Flicka, The Kingdom) plays Bullock's husband and is worse than the father from 7th Heaven - a few of his lines actually made me cringe. Kathy Bates is Kathy Bates, it is a small role as a tutor hired to increase Oher's education so he is eligable for scholarship and as usual she plays it brilliantly. After Bullock the scene-stealer of this film is young Jae Head (Hancock) as SJ Tuohy, the youngest of the Tuohy family and unofficial manager of Oher. At only about 10yrs of age he provides the comic relief of the film and actually does a damn fine job of it. He made me laugh a few times.
This film is great for the Bible belt, it shows us values and religious good will, it also shows us that carrying a handgun in a ladies purse is acceptable behavior. OK - a cheer from the rednecks please I appreciate the good will of the film, I do wish I had the strength and kindness to help out those worse off than myself but in most cases this will end in disaster as most people revert to what they are used to and would either rob me poor or beat the crap out of me and then rob me poor. Oher is an exception of many to the rule but due to nasty elements many people would never attempt what Leigh Anne did. For this she gets credit from me. It is also suggested in the film that it is possible the Tuohys were evil football recruiters attempting to get Oher onside and buttered up and then a big time player in the big leagues of American Football on their favorite team. I would like to believe the Tuohys are honest to goodness god loving people with heart's of gold but my cynicism comes into play and I think that if things are too good to be true then chances are they aren't. But honestly would a family invest thousands of dollars and abundant support and love into someone if it only means the possibility of them gaining a big time player in football? Who knows.........
One thing I did find amazing is the similarity in looks of the characters and the real life people. Sandra is nearly a dead ringer for Leigh Anne and the rest are all so similar I was stunned. During the closing credits there are plenty of pics of the real life family so hang back and watch them.
The film is written and directed by John Lee Hancock who has written more than he has directed. He is probably best known for writing the screenplay of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997) and writing and directing The Alamo (2004). I would have liked much more from this film of his, maybe some grittiness and pure heartache.
The film has its positives and its negatives. It is worth a viewing to see Bullock but honestly it is saccharine celluloid and to me is too far removed from reality. Out now and worth 6/10.
With Sandra Bullock's Oscar win yesterday I thought it high time I pulled my finger out and wrote the review for Blind Side.
Firstly, massive congratulations to Bullock, after years of mediocrity she has now reached a career pinnacle I hope she continues on with better and better roles.
For me her role is a good one and show's strength and complete ownership of the character but unfortunately for me that is about all the film does for me.
Bullock stars alongside a large cast, including Oscar winner Kathy Bates (Misery) in the true story of All American Football star Michael Oher. Giant teenager Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron) is surviving on his own, virtually homeless, when he is spotted on the street by Leigh Anne Tuohy (Bullock). Learning the young man is one of his daughter's classmates Leigh Anne insists that Michael come out of the cold. Without hesitation she insists that Michael stay at the family home for the night. This gesture of kindness develops, as Michael becomes part of the Tuohy family despite gaping differences in their backgrounds. Living with his new "family" Michael faces numerous challenges to overcome. And as the Tuohy family help him fulfill his potential, both on and off the field, Michael's presence in the family lead them to some insightful self discoveries of their own.
I have mentioned Bullock was great in the role, I do not think she was the best of the nominees in this year's Oscars and surely it is time Meryl got an Oscar for all her nominations. Eighteen years since she won but nominated nearly every second year. I think Bullock received this as it is her best role and she is such a lovable person with not an evil bone in her body. Some have been calling it a "career Oscar" - earned not solely for the role of nomination but for what she has done for the industry. Also surprising that the week she wins an Oscar she also wins a Razzie for the worst acted role of the year in All About Steve - now that is diversity
My biggest gripe about this film and it bugged me from about ten minutes in, it is lacking in any reality besides the fairy tale rise of Oher and the perfect family in their support of him. It is so glossy and sugar coated it should have been a Disney film. Sean describes it as a "Hallmark Card on film" and I could not have put it better myself. And this is where the mass appeal came from for this film. It's a Middle America church film. In that sense it's brilliant but to me it was a lame piece of work. If you can remember the TV show "7th Heaven" then this is the film version.
Quinton Aaron is ok in this role and he pulls off the bulky Oher, I forgive him as his character it appears is meant to be some kind of depressed simpleton. I feel the heartache the real Oher went through and I know this may make the person reserved and shy but he is so reserved and shy he comes across as a hulking bore. I don't mean to be nasty, I read this back and feel like an ass, this is not my intention. Tim McGraw (Friday Night Lights, Flicka, The Kingdom) plays Bullock's husband and is worse than the father from 7th Heaven - a few of his lines actually made me cringe. Kathy Bates is Kathy Bates, it is a small role as a tutor hired to increase Oher's education so he is eligable for scholarship and as usual she plays it brilliantly. After Bullock the scene-stealer of this film is young Jae Head (Hancock) as SJ Tuohy, the youngest of the Tuohy family and unofficial manager of Oher. At only about 10yrs of age he provides the comic relief of the film and actually does a damn fine job of it. He made me laugh a few times.
This film is great for the Bible belt, it shows us values and religious good will, it also shows us that carrying a handgun in a ladies purse is acceptable behavior. OK - a cheer from the rednecks please
I appreciate the good will of the film, I do wish I had the strength and kindness to help out those worse off than myself but in most cases this will end in disaster as most people revert to what they are used to and would either rob me poor or beat the crap out of me and then rob me poor. Oher is an exception of many to the rule but due to nasty elements many people would never attempt what Leigh Anne did. For this she gets credit from me. It is also suggested in the film that it is possible the Tuohys were evil football recruiters attempting to get Oher onside and buttered up and then a big time player in the big leagues of American Football on their favorite team. I would like to believe the Tuohys are honest to goodness god loving people with heart's of gold but my cynicism comes into play and I think that if things are too good to be true then chances are they aren't. But honestly would a family invest thousands of dollars and abundant support and love into someone if it only means the possibility of them gaining a big time player in football? Who knows.........
One thing I did find amazing is the similarity in looks of the characters and the real life people. Sandra is nearly a dead ringer for Leigh Anne and the rest are all so similar I was stunned. During the closing credits there are plenty of pics of the real life family so hang back and watch them.
The film is written and directed by John Lee Hancock who has written more than he has directed. He is probably best known for writing the screenplay of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997) and writing and directing The Alamo (2004). I would have liked much more from this film of his, maybe some grittiness and pure heartache.
The film has its positives and its negatives. It is worth a viewing to see Bullock but honestly it is saccharine celluloid and to me is too far removed from reality. Out now and worth 6/10.
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Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
Given I'm an unabashed Bullock fan its hard to be critical - unless its absolute trash. But if I was to take a step back - I would definitely say it lacks any kind of edge - and it could just have likely been produced by the Buena Vista crowd for the Zac Efron set - if you get where I'm coming from.
Will say that I'm surprised that Bullock earned a gong for her efforts - but it probably speaks volumes about what else wasn't on offer this year in the category.
Nice review.
Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
I love Bullock in most things - and I did enjoy her in this one a lot. Hey - no Efron bashing - hahahahaha
This year Bullock was up against Meryl and Mirren - they could both easily have won this category - I think it was more a) Mirren was English b) Meryl was playing a big loud mouth in France and Bullock was playing an all round perfect American - it is nearly a Church Propaganda film
Thanks for reading.
Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
Check this out...
Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
I am pretty sure it's the entire of Middle America that loves this film - it's not a bad one - just a fairy floss one
Thanks heaps for reading and commenting.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
The Blind Side looks like the kind of movie that would have me putting a gun in my mouth half way through just to escape the sugary overdose.
Combined with the fact that Sandra Bullock drags down anything she is attached to with her self conscious mechanical shtick I can't imagine ever sitting through it. (I still can't believe she was nominated - the only "real" film she has done is Crash and when put beside real actors she seemed so out of her element.- then again what do i know I hated Speed)
Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
But if films effect you this much I suggest professional help
I actually like Sandra Bullock - loved Speed, but it could be a Keanu thing
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
The suicidal tendencies triggered by cinematic trauma are short lived....but i will still be avoiding this one.