The Blind Side (2009)
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A talented football player from a difficult background finds a new life and opportunity when taken in by a wealthy family.
The story
Michael Oher, a talented but struggling 17-year-old football player in the Tennessee foster care system, faces a difficult path due to his circumstances. After being admitted to Wingate Christian School, he catches the attention of the Tuohy family. When Leigh Anne Tuohy discovers him alone and struggling on the eve of Thanksgiving, she offers him a place in her home. The film follows Michael's transition into the Tuohy family and his journey to improve his academic standing and athletic skills to pursue a career in the NFL.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Michael Oher, a large and talented football player in the Tennessee foster care system, is admitted to Wingate Christian School. He is eventually taken in by the wealthy Tuohy family, who become his guardians. As Michael struggles with his academic requirements to play at the collegiate level, he receives tutoring and guidance from the Tuohys. The story follows his journey through high school and his recruitment by various universities. After a tense confrontation regarding his motivations and a visit to his biological mother, Michael chooses to attend the University of Mississippi. The film concludes with his successful transition to the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens.
- First release year
- 2009
- Runtime (minutes)
- 128
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- John Lee Hancock
- Writers
- John Lee Hancock · writer
- Cast and characters
- Sandra Bullock · Leigh Anne; Tim McGraw · Sean; Quinton Aaron · Oher; Kathy Bates
- Genres
- biographical; sports drama
- Themes
- adoption; perseverance; social class; sports
- Tone and mood
- heartwarming
- Setting
- Tennessee and Mississippi, USA during the late 2000s.
- Premise and plot tags
- based on true events; sports; biography
- Source material / true-story basis
- 2006 book by Michael Lewis
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics but was a commercial success. Sandra Bullock's performance was highly acclaimed.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 53 · scale: 100 · review count: 29
- Awards and nominations
- Academy Award · Best Actress · win; Golden Globe Award · Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama · win; Screen Actors Guild Award · Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role · win
- Production trivia
- The role was originally written for Julia Roberts.; The film was the subject of a 2023 controversy regarding a conservatorship agreement.; The film's production budget was $29 million.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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