‘The Blind Side’ is one of the most conventional, bland sports film ever made. And in a genre as cliched as sports movies, that’s something of an achievement. (Mind you, not a good one) There is absolutely no scene in this film that has not, in some form, been made before. There is no emotion or expression from the characters in this film that have not, in some form, been shown before. It’s based on the true story of Michael Oher, who in 2 years went from homeless, illiterate teenager to college football star. (Oher now plays for the Baltimore Ravens) Oher’s improvement
was greatly aided by a Southern family named the Tuohys, who gave him a room, food, and education.

Although ‘The Blind Side’ is essentially a true (albiet embellished) story, you learn almost nothing about the characters that are in this film. There’s a conservative, Christian woman, LeAnn Tuohy (played by Bullock) who learns nothing, who teaches nothing throughout the whole film. We’re supposed to root for her, basically because she’s Sandra Bullock in a wig. There’s a 17-year old teenager who essentially doesn’t speak the whole film. We’re supposed to root for him, basically because he’s challenged both in his home life and academically. There’s no denying that the story of Michael Oher is inspiring, but the film never really has a scene that demonstrates just what a miracle it was that Oher turned his life around.

Bullock has recieved critical acclaim and a Golden Globe nomination for this role, but in no way deserves it. She’s not exactly bad in the role, but all she does in the film is cheer for Oher and deliver the occassional metaphor relating football to life. Sandra Bullock’s son in this film, S.J., is really annoying. His role is fairly large, too, and the child actor’s delivery of the dialogue never once feels real.

‘The Blind Side’ is definitely a film people will enjoy. It’s certainly an interesting story, one that probably would have been better had the film given the characters more depth, had the dialogue not been so bad, and if the film simply wasn’t so similiar to so many that came before it. D