Many critics have been under the misconception that "The Blind Side" primarily tells the story of a black youth saved by a virtuous white woman simply because she is a decent person. Since the film is actually about a wealthy individual giving care and aid to an impoverished one, this view is a complete misreading of its emphasis. In a way, "The Blind Side" could be seen as a call to action for those with means to assist people who are less fortunate.
Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron) was a freakish athletic specimen who was homeless and virtually hopeless before he met Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock), a woman whose authority over her family overwhelms her husband, Sean (Tim McGraw). Michael attends the same private Christian school as their children, Collins (Lily Collins) and S.J. (Jae Head), and tends to stand out because of both his race and massive size. The film does an admirable job of illustrating the ascension of Michael's optimism first through his academic progress, rather than simply tying this in with his athletic prowess.
"The Blind Side" also ignores all of the sports clichés by not allowing the championship to become the climax of the story. Michael would have been fine if he had never won a state championship, played football in college, or been selected in the first round of the NFL draft because he finally had someone who loved him. Also, there is never a moment where Michael feels completely vulnerable enough to open up about his past. The childhood wounds are too deep and will always be with him, and he doesn't want to relive these memories or inflict their pain upon anyone else.
The film does a decent job of acknowledging the racial tension within the story without highlighting it. Coach Burt Cotton (Ray McKinnon) wants Michael for athletics, but uses Christian values as the reason for acceptance into the school. This is a realistic depiction of coaches who will do anything necessary to improve their athletic programs, especially when it comes to the use of black youth. This doesn't necessarily make them bad people, but more like practical individuals who see these kids as assets that could help them retain or improve their jobs.
Although Michael's race is not ignored, it does not play a significant role in affecting his assimilation into the family, but still provides for disparaging remarks within parts of the community. "You're already a suspect when you're born black," a friend once told me. The people among the white fiscal elites portrayed in "The Blind Side" would probably agree with this statement, even if they wouldn't necessarily say it. The film might be a little too obvious in how depicts this racial dynamic because usually there are code words or phrases to express displeasure about the presence of people of certain races. Many of the people with this mind-set have never even spoken at length with individuals of other races because the knowledge gathered from these conversations might make their ignorance seem futile. Bars and clubs promote this subtle form of racism through their dress codes that have little to do with keeping undesirable individuals out than to prevent black people from entering their establishments.
Bullock does not depict Leigh Anne as a saint, showing racist attitudes that briefly surface only to continuously fall off her when she doesn't notice. Her ability to provide a loving environment for Michael is only made possible because of her immense wealth, instead of simply the kindness in her heart. Basically, "The Blind Side" is saying that Michael was lucky to find a woman that had the time to devote and the willingness to use it on him. There are more kids like him out there. Let's just hope they find the love that inspires them to walk away from a dour despair and into a spiritual prosperity.
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