Inspiring feel-good film is perfect for Thanksgiving, a story of family and football **** Four Stars

By Robin Rowe

Sandra Bullock in The Blind Side, heartwarming

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 11/27/2009 –  “The beauty of the story is that you think it’s one thing and it turns out to be something else,” says The Blind Side star Sandra Bullock. “I thought the script was going to be about football until I read it and realized that it’s really about family.”

Based on a true story, Leigh Anne Tuohy is a devoted mom who realizes her teenage daughter’s classmate Michael Oher is homeless and cold. Tuohy brings Oher home so he has somewhere to sleep for the night. Oher, so shy he rarely talks, has finally gotten a break after a harsh life in the ’hood. The Tuohy family are fanatics about football, and Oher can sure play football.

The Blind Side stars Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw as Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy. Quinton Aaron is introduced in the role of Michael Oher. Lily Collins and Jae Head star as the Tuohy children. The Blind Side director John Lee Hancock (The Rookie) wrote the screenplay based on the book The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis.

“It was a beautifully written script,” says Bullock. “It had all the right beats in all the right places. And I was amazed how John gave every one of the characters such a nice arc. Each character has a distinct journey.” Bullock met with Leigh Anne Tuohy in person to decide how to play her in the film.

“Many people think a Southern accent is a Southern accent, but there are many different ones,” says Bullock, who is also from the South. “It wasn’t just Leigh Anne’s accent. How can you explain that kind of energy? By the end of one day with Leigh Anne, I was exhausted. She manages to do what she wants to do in the manner she wants to do it. She doesn’t care what it takes; she just gets it done her way.”

“The Tuohys opened up their home and their lives,” says Bullock. “We felt a great deal of responsibility to do right by their family, and that’s a lot to live up to. It was terrifying to think of playing her, but it was a challenge I couldn’t say no to. She’s such an amazing person.”

“The appeal of this story is the combination of heart and humor, as well as sports,” says The Blind Side producer Broderick Johnson. It’s an inspiring story in a world that’s divided, in large part, by the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots.’ It shows that you can be a good Samaritan and it can benefit you as much as the person you’re helping.”

The title The Blind Side is a reference to the left tackle position in football. Assigned to protect a right-handed quarterback from what he can’t see coming, a good left tackle is considered second in importance only to the quarterback himself.

“Whether or not you are interested in football, or sports at all, the story behind this movie is so heartwarming, I think it will appeal to everyone,” says The Blind Side star Tim McGraw.

“They certainly did a good deed in taking in this young man in such a loving and generous way,” says Bullock. “But, in turn, he brought out a side of their family that they didn’t even realize was missing. The family seemed to have all the success and joy in the world, but when Michael showed up, it was as if he was the final piece to the puzzle.”

The Blind Side was produced by Alcon Entertainment and is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Sandra Bullock, who starred in The Proposal grossing over $300 million worldwide, may be the most bankable actress in Hollywood today. She’s produced and starred in many films through her production company Fortis Films. In television, she’s served as executive producer of The George Lopez Show. What she’s never had is an Oscar nomination. This may be her opportunity.

The Blind Side has an Indie feel as it lingers in backstory too long at the beginning of the film. The audience’s patience is well-rewarded by a strong performance from Sandra Bullock and a heartwarming feel-good story.

The Blind Side

Distributor: Warner Bros.

Duration: 120 minutes

Rating: PG-13 for one scene involving brief violence, drug and sexual references

www.theblindsidemovie.com