Starring: Sandra Bullock, Quinton Aaron, Tim McGraw
Director: John Lee Hancock (The Rookie, The Alamo)
Running Time: 2 hrs 6 min
Release Date: Nov. 20, 2009
Budget: N/A
Critics’ Thumbs Up: 59%
“…a lot of heart and energy…” Michael Sragow, Baltimore Sun
“…finds a new low.” Scott Tobias, The Onion (A.V. Club)
It’s a play on the football term, but The Blind Side in this mediocre drama is the lack of attention paid to any authentic complications and struggles of these real-life characters. Based on the true account of a homeless black teenager (a subtle but solid Aaron) who grew up to become a Baltimore Ravens football player thanks to the mentorship and hospitality of feisty Southern matriarch Leigh Ann Tuohy (Bullock), this story is more cookie-cutter than cutting edge when it comes to do-gooder sports movies. While Leigh Ann, who has a habit of strutting across the football field in stilettos quipping orders, seems too colorful to be true, Bullock, however, gives a gripping performance.
