The Blind Side Review

Wondering what movie to rent this weekend: I recommend the Blind Side for everyone!

Most people who know me are aware that I am not a big football fan which is why they might be surprised to find out that The Blind Side—a movie about an African-American football player—is one of my favorite movies in the last several years. First of all, this is not a film about football. I was concerned when the opening scene was a breakdown of a football play that I didn’t understand, but the southern female accent of the narrator caught my attention. For the next 100 minutes, I was riveted by a true story of loyalty, family values, love, perseverance and humanity. In a world of plastic supermodels and violence being served up on a platter by every other new release, along came a movie with depth and reality—not the “reality” of shows like Survivor that question our intelligence as viewers. I’m talking about real characters with feelings, dilemmas and most of all an overriding moral compass. The film is never preachy, but through its real life characters—humans with quirks and faults—it shows us how anyone can make the difficult decision to do the right thing.

Michael—a huge African-American whose moniker is Big Mike to those on the street—is enrolled in an all-white Christian high school by a friend who wants to give him a chance. The courage to walk into the classroom reveals Mike’s courage and his perseverance. Withdrawn, barely talking or interacting, he still shows up.

Contrasted to this poor black youth is the white, well-to-do, suburban family of four. The mother, Leigh Anne, works outside the home and her husband owns several fast-food restaurant chains. Leigh Anne appears slightly shallow at first, but then we see her love for her youngest child as they leave from the Thanksgiving play and talk with him about his acting abilities, joking gently about his Native American headdress. Here is a family comfortable with each other, flaws and all. They stick together. Thus when Leigh Anne sees Michael walking in the rain in November in short sleeves and shorts, she tells her husband to pull over. We watch her question her decision to let the youth—who is virtually a complete stranger—sleep on their couch. But soon, she starts seeing how much Michael has to teach her.

The next day is Thanksgiving and we are amused as Michael takes his food to the dining room table to eat while the family grabs a plate of turkey and heads for the TV. Leigh Anne decides he has the right idea and gathers the family to the table. Then she says Grace, thanking God for all the blessings they have. We see true gratitude in the eyes of Michael. Leigh Anne doesn’t quite understand the extent of his poverty. In a later scene, when he reveals that he has never had his own bed, she is touched deeply and quickly leaves the room so that he doesn’t see her tears.

Throughout the film, Leigh Anne wears a diamond cross pendant. No matter what other jewelry or what she is wearing (which is usually quite classy and expensive), the cross is always visible on her neck. While not gaudy, we are drawn to the cross. The cross is made of diamonds to symbolize the fact that Christ’s Cross can never be destroyed. Without telling us this, we know that it is the cross that ultimately motivates her to give up her friends who don’t approve of her choices and to embrace Michael—whom her family needs as much as he needs them.

We see that Leigh Anne is a good mother, reading to her children, attending their school and sporting events and applauding their accomplishments. We do not judge her for getting dinner from Taco Bell anymore than we judge Michael for being born to a crack-addict. She is a high-strung, high-energy woman who learns to slow down a little and become more humble and accepting, following Michael’s lead. We witness her metamorphosis to a more gentle, loving and caring individual. It is easy for her to be generous with money, which is in abundance in her life, but we watch as she learns to become generous with her spirit.

A wonderful example of a marriage based on love and understanding is presented in the film. We see that marriage can be a struggle, but we see how communication, acceptance and a sense of humor infuse their union with the support they need to make moral decisions. We see them having fun together and standing by each other, even through disagreements.

Leigh Anne’s inclusion of Michael in the Christmas family photo brings tears to our eyes and shows what true family means. Likewise, Michael demonstrates protectiveness and loyalty to his family when he physically protects his new brother from getting injured in a car accident. He becomes a great football player because he is able to translate that protective loyalty to his team.

Michael reveals how he used denial to cope with his birth mother’s addiction—he would literally close his eyes. He still has flashbacks and is affected by his childhood. We understand that, but we also see that survival and success on all levels is attainable, regardless of the past.

Michael’s tutor tells him he must trust her if he wants to get good grades. He is able to do this and follows his tutor’s instructions with ease. But his trust in Leigh Anne is tested. We can imagine how many times he trusted his birth mother to be only disappointed again. He is challenged to trust that his new mom is not just providing for him so he will play football for her alma mater. She confronts him and he makes the decision to trust her. In this moment, we see that he has also decided to trust himself. He has shown loyalty to his birth mother, trying to find her. But now he has been shown loyalty by his new mother. It is this loyalty that he will return to his family.

The Blind Side celebrates the triumph of the human spirit over the disease of the world—addition, greed and violence. The movie is a celebration of the human spirit and exemplifies how living Christ’s example of serving others can change the world.