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- The Plot of ‘The Blind Side‘
- The Real-World Consequences Behind ‘The Blind Side’
- ‘The Blind Side’ Has a Less Than Inspirational Legacy
As a film critic with a background in sociology, I have to say that “The Blind Side” left me feeling somewhat conflicted. On one hand, it’s a compelling story about overcoming adversity and achieving success against all odds, and Sandra Bullock’s performance is nothing short of brilliant. But on the other hand, the movie seems to perpetuate harmful stereotypes and may have caused real harm to the very person it claims to celebrate.
Inspirational sports movies are one of the most proven film genres. Take a down-on-their-luck athlete, stack the odds against them, and watch them persevere and make something of themselves. Bonus points if the movie is based on a true story. The Blind Side checked all these boxes when it hit theaters in 2009. Based on the 2006 book The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game, it told the true story of the Tuohy family, who took in teenager Michael Oher from the foster care system. The Tuohys turned Oher’s life around, ultimately helping him make it into college to play football.
Sandra Bullock played the role of foster mother Leigh Anne Tuohy, earning accolades like the Academy Award, Golden Globe, and SAG Award. Despite mixed reviews from critics, the movie was a financial success, securing its spot in the category of uplifting sports films. However, in 2023, Michael Oher, the person the story is based on, claimed that the Tuohy family’s “adoption” of him was rooted in exploitation. Additionally, allegations of promoting a white savior narrative emerged. As a result, The Blind Side, which turns 15 this November 20th, may no longer be seen as the feel-good movie it once was due to its offscreen scandals. Let’s revisit the film to see if it continues to shine or if its controversies have left a stain on its legacy.
The Plot of ‘The Blind Side’
The story The Blind Side focuses on Michael Oher, a 17-year-old boy in Tennessee who frequently changed foster homes due to his mother’s drug problem. A friend helps him enroll in the local high school with hopes for football participation, despite his poor academic record. He develops a friendship with S.J., the Tuohys’ son, at school, and the family eventually takes him in when they discover he is homeless. As Michael spends more time with them, they try to locate his biological mother but learn that she was taken from him as a child, and no one knows her current whereabouts. Later, Leigh Anne finds his mother, who consents to their adoption of him.
Michael’s academic performance improves, and he becomes skillful at football. He shows great potential, potentially even playing football at college if his grades keep improving. He chooses to attend Ole Miss, a school with strong ties to both Leigh Anne and her husband Sean. This decision raises suspicions from an NCAA investigator, who questions whether the Tuohys took Michael in merely to get him to enroll at their school. When Michael hears this, he worries, but eventually returns to his mother. However, the dangerous gang environment where she lives causes him to return to the Tuohys. In the end, Michael decides to attend Ole Miss, and a caption appears on screen stating that the real-life Oher would later be drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2009 NFL Draft.
The Real-World Consequences Behind ‘The Blind Side’
In theory, this film appears to be a promising drama, complete with a troubled youth, a caring family that takes him in, and an underlying theme of determination and triumph over one’s circumstances. However, the movie garnered mixed critical reception, being labeled as a predictable sports story. Yet, everyone agreed on Bullock’s exceptional acting. Even before the recent 2023 controversy, The Blind Side didn’t resonate positively with certain audiences.
The representation of Oher in the film sparked controversy, as it was criticized for reinforcing the “white savior” narrative. The adoption of Oher by the Tuohy family was often praised over his own accomplishments. Critics perceived Oher as being portrayed as unintelligent and submissive to the Tuohys’ decisions about his future. Oher himself disagreed with how the movie depicted his intelligence, finding it inaccurate that he needed saving by Leigh Anne from his previous neighborhood. Additionally, the film’s portrayal of him as illiterate negatively impacted his rapport with his future teammates. Moreover, Oher claims that the Tuohys did not instruct him about football, as he had a passion for the sport since early childhood.
In 2023, Oher initiated a lawsuit against the Tuohy family, alleging that they didn’t legally adopt him but instead established a conservatorship over him. This arrangement enabled them to make important legal and athletic decisions on his behalf. Additionally, he asserted that the Tuohys and their children amassed substantial earnings from the movie, while he received no compensation. However, book author Michael Lewis disputed the claim about the Tuohys’ earnings. Yet, Lewis faced criticism for reinforcing the ‘white savior’ narrative when he criticized Oher for being distrustful of the family. The lawsuit sought to dissolve the conservatorship and grant Oher a share of the film’s profits. By September, the conservatorship was terminated, and the Tuohys consented to erase all references to Oher from their public speaking events.
‘The Blind Side’ Has a Less Than Inspirational Legacy
Reflecting on it now, it’s challenging to view The Blind Side with the same perspective. Yet if we disregard the film’s real-life impact, one might argue that it still maintains its appeal. Many viewers would probably concur. In essence, it continues to be an inspiring tale of overcoming adversity, boasting a captivating lead performance by Sandra Bullock. However, the issue lies in the fact that The Blind Side cannot be divorced from its underlying content. This is especially true when considering the significant harm it inflicted on the individual it purported to elevate.
People who appreciate the original film and find its motivational tale compelling are likely to continue supporting it. This is not surprising, as audiences tend to resist the idea that a well-made movie could have had negative consequences. However, with the passage of 15 years, it might be appropriate to acknowledge that The Blind Side may have inadvertently caused more harm than good to the very aspect it aimed to glorify.
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2024-11-24 21:32