The Blind Side a Story of Staggering Achievement

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The Blind Side is about an under-privileged, under-educated teenage boy who finds hope in a wealthy family who takes him in.

The story follows Michael Oher, (played by Quinton Aaron) an African American high school boy whose height and weight earn him the name “Big Mike.”  Michael is from a broken home and does not have anywhere to go other then the occasional nights he sleeps on his friend’s couch.  He is also very poor, owning only one extra shirt which he keeps in a plastic bag.

The movie opens with the father of Michael’s friend begging the athletic director to allow his son and “Big Mike” to be accepted into Wingate Christian School, a very prestigious private school.  The coach is unimpressed by the father’s pleas until he looks out the window and sees the two boys playing basketball.

Even though Michael is accepted into the school, he does not fit in or do well.

One cold night the Tuohy’s, a rich white family, are returning home and spot Michael walking with short sleeves on, shivering.  Since both of the Tuohy children attended Wingate Christian School too, they recognized him.

Leigh Anne Tuohy (played by Sandra Bullock) demands that her husband turn around and, against her better judgment, she allows Michael to stay at their house for as long as he wants to.  She even takes him shopping for new clothes and gets him a tutor for his schoolwork.

However, with the high class lifestyle the Tuohys lead, their friends begin to harass them for taking Michael in.  At first, it is hard for the family to take, but they soon realize that Michael would do anything for them so they begin to defend him against the harsh comments of friends and neighbors.

The movie shows how Michael unknowingly brings the family closer and more down to earth and how the Tuohys show courage in helping him through school.  They also gave him a family and a home when no one else would.

The Blindside demonstrates today’s society, unfortunately.  Even though we have moved past the days of segregation, discrimination still continues to exist.  Everyone is different and some people are unable to accept that.

As Michael struggles to fit in at his new school, the Tuohys are there to help him every step of the way.  They hire a tutor to help him with his school work and teach him everything there is to know about football.

Through their love and kindness, Michael is able to overcome the harsh comments made to him about his race and size.  Soon enough, those comments are replaced by the ones cheering him on as he makes a name for himself through football.

In today’s society this is a common occurrence; people are quick to judge and make fun of others, but eventually, they learn that there is more to that person then they thought.

This movie was very touching, but it was kept in a light mood from the humor which was thrown in at just the right times.  Amazingly, The Blind Side is based on a true story, making it even more interesting.

I highly recommend The Blind Side to anyone who enjoys movies in which the main character must overcome indifference and prove that they have what it takes to be great.

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