The Blind Side Review

Tierra Phillips 

Flim Appreication 

Mr. Lu

July 1, 2025

    The Blind Side is a 2009 Sports Drama film that tells the true story of African-American Michael Oher, played by Quinton Aaron, and how he was adpoted by a Causaian family living in the South at age 17 who helped him overcome his learning difficulities and pushed for his acheivement in playing American football ultimately helping him get accecpted into to college where he was able to further his dream of playing football.

    Set in 2003, the movie opens with a live recording of an American football game, where Leigh Anne Tuohy, played by Sandra Bullock, narrates the events unfolding before us. In this particular scene, it sets the tone for the movie and also for Leigh Anne Tuohy's character. The way she talks about football and analyzes the plays, identifying mistakes, mishandles, and offering advice on what could have been improved, demonstrates her knowledge of football, which is later reflected in her character as the movie progresses. This scene also sets the tone for the movie itself. Even though the film is an emotional story based on true events, it is all centered around football, which this scene puts emphasis on. As the scene plays on, it is revealed that this is real footage of Michael Oher playing for the Baltimore Ravens in 2009. 

    As the movie progresses, we see Michael sitting in the back seat of a car while two other men are in the passenger and driver seats. As the scene progresses with the credits rolling at the bottom of the screen, we are shown what looks to be a torn-down neighbor. Old abandoned buildings, houses on the verge of collapse, and an old man pushing a basket of his belongings. These shots of scenery convey the theme of Michael's character. He is a poor African-American boy from a poverty neighborhood and lacks access to resources, starting with education. As the scene advances, the car starts to drive into a more upscale neighborhood, and we see many more children outside, most of them being white, better-looking houses, fixed streets, lemonade stands, etc. As Michael comes into contact with this change in scenery, he looks out of the window, with a face of what can be assumed to be awe or curiosity.

    With small details such as the ones listed, it gives the film so much more to work with in terms of portrayal and ambiguity, it gets the viewer intrigued while also being vague. In my personal opinion, I would give this movie a 9/10. My overall impression of the film was, in better words, on the positive side, it showcased how black and white children's lives differ and in more ways than one, and how, regardless of skin color how the act of kindness that was displayed from the Tuohy family could make a tremendous different in the lives of others who against their will where brought up in unfounant circumstances. Visually, the movie was average; it wasn't anything that immediately caught my eye, but in my opinion, a movie doesn't have to have great visual appeal to effectively tell a great story. The Blind Side didn't need any fancy editing or great visuals to showcase the rawness of the story and those who lived through it. Through the actors, plot building, movie pacing, music, and inclusion of accurate American football, I will say that the directors did a phenomenal job. 

    While I believe the film did an outstanding job of expressing Michael Oher's story and uplifting the emotional narrative. It also came under intense criticism for perpetrating the "white savior" narrative by downplaying Michael’s own achievements and alternatively portraying the Tuohy family as the main drivers of Michael's success. Michael Oher himself was unhappy with the movie's portrayal of him as quiet and oblivious, which many believed served to reinforce rather than challenge stereotypes. As stated by NBC News it says "Former NFL star Michael Oher has broken his silence about the lawsuit he filed last year accusing Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy of deceiving him into a conservatorship and unfairly profiting from the book and movie "The Blind Side," which centered on the couple's relationship with him." Though what is shown might be compelling to us a viewers doesn't necessarily mean it is an accurate portrayal and what really happened. When making biographical films, this is a known consequence as directors, reporters, and other information sources only know what is shown to us and have no knowledge as to what goes on behind closed doors. This is, to me, an accurate representation of the weakness of The Blind Side.

 

    In contrast to that, the movie is greatly strengthened but its use of costumes, sets, and props. All of them are used effectively to magnify the contrast between Michael Oher’s dark past and the affluent life of the Tuohy family.  Michael initially shows up in a rundown oversized attire stabilizing his unstable housing situation and social displacement, and the Tuohys are always well dressed in sets of coordinated attire that speaks their influence and upper-class heritage to the viewer. The Tuohy home is big, cozy, and tastefully decorated, highlighting their stability and prosperity for the audience, while a brief glimpse of Michael’s old neighborhood shows a dark, poor neighborhood that suggests abandonment and poverty. Props like the football, books, and the family photos frame show Michael’s journey from isolation to belonging as he gradually becomes a part of the Tuohy residence and school life. These visual elements helped to tell character histories, social distances, and Michael’s personal transformation without relying on dialogue.