I adore this film.

The Blind Side tells the true story of Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron), a homeless black teen who has fallen through the cracks. Michael applies to a private school and is accepted through the successful campaigning by the school’s football coach. Michael's large build and quick feet make him a natural for the position of left tackle on the school's football team. Michael attends the school but remains homeless, friendless and still suffering from his miserable childhood in the projects.

One evening, Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock) and Sean Tuohy (Tim McGraw) see the teen walking in the rain. Leigh Anne, a very commanding woman, makes the choice to not only invite the stranger into their car, but also into their home.

Michael finds safety and love in the Tuohy’s home. Through their efforts and sacrifice, Michael discovers his athletic gifts and develops his scholarly abilities as well. Michael graduates from school and is swarmed by colleges hoping to get him on their teams.

The plot of the film may make this sound like yet another black kid(s) + sports = redemption movie (Remember the Titans, Glory Road, The Express, Pride, Coach Carter and on and on). This film above comparison to these films. The performances, the acting and the careful direction are all exceptional and the film looks beyond the racism elements. The story itself is so invigorating and inspiring that it transcends its genre.

The story offers a clear example of living the Christian life. The Tuohy’s are Christians who understand the faith isn’t just going to church and memorizing passages. The heart of the Christian faith resides in relationships. The faith lives in our relationship with Christ and allowing His love to reflect in our relationship with each other.

Much of the reaction to the film is focused on Sandra Bullock's infectious performance as Leigh Anne. Bullock, looking like a Kathy Lee Gifford clone, offers what is easily her best performance. Leigh Anne is a sassy, direct woman who obviously knows how to get whatever she wants. Bullock manages to keep the strong willed aspect of the woman at the forefront but allowing her maternal caring to peek through when needed. The duality of her strong will and her soft heart makes for a wonderful character to witness on screen.

In contrast to Bullock's assertive performance is Quinton Aaron as Michael Oher. Oher is notoriously introverted. Playing someone who avoids interaction is a challenging task. Aaron is able to present Oher's almost debilitating shyness while also making him endearing. It would have been easy to wind up having Oher be little more that a oafish prop living in Leigh Anne's shadow. Aaron's nuanced performance is the emotional anchor for the film and provides the context for the entire piece. His delicate performance deserves the credit for the film's success. If he wasn't so engaging on screen his Oher's transformation wouldn't have been as fascinating.

The old line “Dying is easy, comedy is hard” can be changed. "Dying is easy, inspiring others is hard." The attempt to inspire an audience is one of the biggest risks an artist can make. Inspiration reminds us of the good deep in our hearts and encourages us to open our better natures to the world. Inspiration promotes the higher ideals such as the Golden Rule of Matthew 7:12, “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”

When a filmmaker attempts to inspire they risk the sarcasm of misanthropes. As we have seen with the release of this film, the attacks come easily from those who think upbeat equates simplicity of thought. If you come across critics bashing this film for being racist or manipulative you can assume the critic is filtering their own personal issues through their writing. This is simply a great movie. It is honestly inspiring and challenges the audience to not only improve their lives but to improve the lives of those around them. The production promotes all that is good in us. In an age of torture-porn and filth-laden Hollywood blockbusters this film is an absolute must see (as soon as you can).


Final Note: If you enjoyed this film, I strongly suggest you search out a documentary titled The Heart of Texas. Like this film it is inspiring and presents one of the most incredible stories of forgiveness and love I have ever seen.


Related Reviews:
Sport movies
Facing the Giants (2006)
Hoosiers (1986)


Other Critic's Reviews:
The Phantom Tollbooth
Hollywood Jesus

Labels: football, Sandra Bullock, sports, sports movie, Tim McGraw

Screenwriter: Jamie Linden
Director: McG (Charlie's Angels)
Actors: Matthew McConaughey (Reign of Fire), Matthew Fox (Smokin' Aces), David Strathairn (L.A. Confidential), Ian McShane (Death Race) and Kate Mara (Shooter)

Labels: David Strathairn, film, Ian McShane, Kate Mara, Matthew Fox, Matthew McConaughey, movie trailer, sports movie

The “first black to do x” template (in particular in relation to sports movies) is tedious and it has to go. The Civil Rights struggle was a struggle, point taken. Does this mean we have to work over the issue the same exact way a hundred times?

It is saying something that Hollywood has to continue to dip back forty plus years to find instances of notable racism in American society. Today are there still divides? Sure, there always will be and those divides go both ways. The fact is the Civil Rights Era has brought fruit and this continual mulling over the past is unhealthy, not because it’s wrong to investigate our collective pasts but because it way its presented and how it shades our lives today. The point of these films (Men of Honor, Glory Road, Pride, and on and on) is not to show how far we’ve come, but to chain today to past sins. These sins committed by people most of never knew, or are even related to. Blacks are reminded that they were second class citizens, and white are reminded that they’re all budding racists who should be filled with shame. In these films some pragmatic white, who will benefit directly from the inclusion of blacks, crosses the divide. He’s still spoiled by racism but he can ignore his impulses long enough to get what he wants. In non-sports related Civil Rights Era movies (Mississippi Burning, Ghosts of Mississippi, even Hairspray) the minorities are spared by strong-willed white liberals (almost all East Coast lawyers (Hairspray being an obvious exception) who battle the seething crackers.

This particular production is frustrating because Ernie Davis is a legitimate subject for a film. The problem is that this film never rises above the conventions of the underdog/Civil Rights sports movie. The template is simple: the blacks are brought in and the whites get nervous. The blacks are all helpful, somewhat meek, and hold mild racist views of their own. It is the whites who are burdened by the curse of racism. There is the obligatory scene where the racism of society acts as a wedge in a conversation or social situation. This is often done around a meal where the pragmatic white is cornered by a question or statement which has the subtext of “the world sure is racist!” The pragmatic white has his uncomfortable moment and is forced to slowly chew his food while he fumbles for something to say. Then there are the unprompted threats from white teens. These are usually met by the proud, dominate black teen who stands up to them at which point the white devils melt in fear. So on and so forth. Again, it isn’t that the issue of racism is raised, it should be discussed. The trouble is that the topic of racism is handled in such an obvious and pedestrian fashion. All of this leads to the final half where the blacks integrate and tensions rise until whites learn that blacks can be useful (meaning they can score points in games and win championships) and then everyone gets along. The black players get respect, not because they’re men worthy of dignity and respect, but because they’re useful in a particular social activity. The structure should be offensive to a certain degree since it assumes white racism and casts blacks as being defined by the approval of whites.

It is possible people look at these race-based sports films as being great underdog stories. The underdog aspect of the narratives is there and there are some interesting stories to be mined. I’m left wondering however, if these films are more than blatant social engineering pieces and actually about showing an underdog story then why aren’t there similar movies about Asians, Hispanics or other minorities? Were their struggles for equality missing teachable moments? Where is the story of the first Asian NBA player Wataru Misaka or others? Other minorities are not covered in this fashion because it doesn’t fit the accepted narrative of the country where racism has a hierarchy of pain and embarrassment. According to Hollywood Asians had nothing to do with the history of America until Japanese Americas popped up in 1940 to be rounded-up by the Democratic Administration. Mexicans had little to do with the development of the country other than rushing the Alamo. This is also why we don’t see many positive films about African Americans coming out of Hollywood. It doesn’t fit the template. Other than Tyler Perry where are the uplifting stories focusing on African Americans that show them in a framework outside of being held down by whites? The Civil Rights Era was half a century ago, have we really made so little progress? Will Smith’s Pursuit of Happyness comes to mind but even that had its race/class moments. Why can't Hollywood conceive of showing African Amercians excelling in areas of real importance? Why is it always something ultimately as useless as sports? No, don't bother with Thurgood Marshall, Ralph J. Bunche, Hiram Revels, or Congressional Medal of Honor winner William H. Carney, we're going to stick with football.

I call for a twenty year moratorium on Civil Right Era films, in particular the sports-based ones. Film makers should be forced to show African Americans as they are today, in today’s world not in some navel gazing look at what our grandparent’s or great grandparent’s generations were doing. This will provide us with stories about a nearly untouched aspect of American society (actual positive looks at black America) and will work to undo the destructive stereotypes and canards propagated by our media (against both whites and blacks.)

Giving a final look at this movie, as mentioned above, it is a shame this doesn't work since Davis’ story is an interesting one. As a sports film it doesn’t make the grade because it doesn’t dredge up enough tension. The scenes aren't horrible but they're lacking any drive, any life. In addition, visually this is a very conservative film and there is no innovative moves to make the football sequences stick in the memory. As with the rest of the film, the games pass in and out without much impact. There are better sports films. There are better Civil Rights films. Since that's the case there is no reason to see this one.


Related Reviews:
Sports movies
We Are Marshall (2006)
The Rookie (2002)


Other Critic's Reviews:
eFilmCritic
Spirituality and Practice

Labels: Charles Dutton, Dennis Quaid, racism, sports movie

This is a pleasant film. Inspiring and upbeat, this picture about a high school baseball coach who breaks into the major league is a breath of fresh air. Dennis Quaid is perfectly cast in the lead and is helped by a solid script and strong supporting cast. Good comfort cinema is exceedingly rare these days. Rent it and enjoy.


Related Reviews:
Sports movies
Mystery, Alaska (1999)
Glory Road (2006)


Other Critic's Reviews:
ScreenIt!
Roger Ebert

Labels: Brian Cox, Dennis Quaid, film, movie review, Rachel Griffiths, sports movie

Maybe the best sports film of all time. Following the rise of a small town basketball team, this film inspires and entertains. Gene Hackman gives a top notch performance as the troubled head coach Norman Dale. An absolute must-see for anyone who loves sports.


Related Reviews:
Sports movies
Mystery, Alaska (1999)
The Greatest Game Ever Played (2005)


Other Critic's Reviews:
DVDweeb.com
Christian Spotlight

Labels: basketball, Dennis Hopper, film, Gene Hackman, movie review, sports movie

This film was co-written, directed and stars Alex Kendrick. Kendrick is good in the lead as a down-and-out football coach who turns to God for help. The film is good, not great, but good. Where the film hits trouble is in the script and direction which are both far too demanding. Kendrick mishandles the narrative in a number of places and seems to promote a theological thought that makes God out to be a dispenser of good tidings and little more. The characters turn to God and he answers all of their immediate problems, as if he were some celestial wishing well. We are servants of the Lord, not the other way around. I'm not saying its inherently wrong to turn to God for help, but this film seems to support the idea that if you believe in God, you'll have all your wishes come true. God is not a self-help Santa Clause. I am sure this wasn't their intention, they appear to be earnest Christians. Due to an uneven delivery of the theological viewpoint comes across this way.

As a movie, this is an approachable production but has its share of problems (see above.) Some parts succeed while others fail. It pushes its agenda way too hard and most non-Christians will turn up their noses up at the loaded dialog. Christians may be more sympathetic. I appreciate the effort here and Kendrick and company deserve credit for pulling this off. I am left hoping the mistakes of this production are just a result of the pressures of independent film making and not holes in the abilities of the filmmakers. From what I see here Kendrick is a good producer and a passable actor but his scriptwriting skills are needing improvement. The film is structured well, but the dialog is troubled. Too weighed down and certainly not organic. If the Kendrick brothers write a more relaxed script and urge Alex Kendrick to find a more distinct voice with his direction and the final product will improve greatly.

I would say that the hype surrounding the movie regarding the MPAA giving this film a PG-13 Rating because it was too "Christian" or too proselytizing is simply not true. The film deals with a man's infertility issues, this topic alone would keep the film from getting a G-Rating. The cries of foul over the rating seem to me to be unfounded..


Related Reviews:
Christian films
One Night with the King (2006)
The Second Chance (2006)


Other Critic's Reviews:
Decent Films Guide
Hollywood Jesus

Labels: Alex Kendrick, Christian film, film, movie review, sports movie, Stephen Kendrick

The piece certainly isn't breaking new ground. How many films can we have about civil rights "firsts"? Well a dozen or so as it turns out. This plays the typical formula: blacks get their first shot at something because a white guy sticks his neck out. Like most of films of this nature, it seems to be more about how heroic the white guy is, rather than about the blacks defeating bigotry. If you can swallow the pill this film offers it is a well structured piece that does entertain. You will get the feeling you've seen this before however.


Related Reviews:
Sports movies
Mystery, Alaska (1999)
The Greatest Game Ever Played (2005)


Other Critic's Reviews:
Christian Spotlight On The Movies
ReelViews

Labels: basketball, film, Jon Voight, Josh Lucas, movie review, sports movie