. They had no food or clothing, except what they could scrounge from churches and the street. [12] In its fourth weekend, it moved down to second place, dropping a slim 23% with an estimated $15.5 million for a total of $150.2 million in the United States and Canada as of December 13, 2009. Continuing his success in the horror genre, Aaron is also featured inRock Paper Dead andCranial Sacral, two upcoming projects that are also still waiting on official release dates. 16/01/2023. After his role onLaw & Order: SVU, Aaron surfaced as a guest in an episode ofMercy, as well asHarry's LawandDrop Dead Diva. They are a good protein source, and I especially like "She's about to get her way.". But as Ole Miss was where Sean Sr. had played basketball, Leigh Anne had been a cheerleader, and Miss Sue had been as well, NCAA investigator Granger is tasked to look into the matter to determine if the Tuohys took him in and unduly influenced him just so he would play for their alma mater. His name was Michael Oher, but everyone just called him "Big Mike.". With the support of the Tuohy family, Oher went on to become an All-American football player and made the first-round NFL draft pick. I kept to myself a lot and was more of a quiet, shy kid, and that's pretty much what he was like. In his book "I Beat the Odds: From Homelessness to the Blind Side and Beyond,"Oher creditssome of his 11 siblings with protecting him when he was a child he was his mother's sixth child. Trending. "I've seen that look many times," says her husband, Sean (Tim McGraw). Leigh Anne points straight-ahead and says, "home". Then I figured, why not speak about my experiences and how I got over them? (Jae Head). Oher was born Michael Jerome Williams Jr. on May 28, 1986, in Memphis, Tennessee. Although some of his foster homes were "less than ideal," as Oher put it in the book, some provided at least a measure of security. Family, school and sports photographs of the real Michael Oher and of the real Tuohy family are shown during the initial credits. The site's critical consensus reads, "It might strike some viewers as a little too pat, but The Blind Side has the benefit of strong source material and a strong performance from Sandra Bullock. An ugly burn mark ran right down the fearsome length of it. Sleeping outside. Aaron is also an ambassador for Beating the Odds, a non-profit organization that helps kids overcome tough circumstances to achieve success in life. What happened to all the football equipment used in the movie? Leigh Anne likens Michael to Ferdinand the Bull, a gentle giant -- a similarity that becomes obvious once he tries out for the school football team. He drove the Munford player straight down the field for 15 yards, then took a hard left, toward the Munford sidelines. On February 16, 2010, Redbox settled the lawsuit[43] and agreed to a 28-day window past the street date. Michael beat Antonio around the face and threw him across the room as, around the room, huge football players took cover beneath small desks. Fox in the cast ofJason's Letter, another indie that broaches the timely subject matter of the Black Lives Matter movement. Sandra Bullock Photos, "They certainly did a good deed in taking in this young man in such a loving and generous way," Bullock said. The movie released to mixed reviews in 2009 but grossed more than $255 million in the United States. Watch The Blind Side: Inspirational Video. While Oher's coach from high school, Hugh Freeze, has an uncredited cameo as a coach watching some game film, the role of the high school coach is named Coach Cotton in the film. But often, it's the lives of the players off the field that grab you by the heartstrings. [14] The Blind Side has also become the highest grossing football movie and sports drama of all time domestically[15][16] unadjusted for ticket inflation. Rather dramatically, Coach O extracted from his desk a thick folder stuffed with newspaper clippings, and dropped it with a thud. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Do you understand me? Playing Sean Tuohy was country music star Tim McGraw, who has also appeared in the films "Friday Night Lights," "Four Christmases," "Flicka" and "The Kingdom." Aaron resurfaced in another supporting role as Benjamin in the Western filmJustice, also released in 2017, then shifted away from low-budget B-movies withHeart, Baby, a Newport Beach Film Festival selection for 2017. Shortly afterThe Blind Side, Aaron nabbed a couple of appearances on big TV shows. Those moms and parents never get thanked. When it is apparent the coach is unable to instruct Michael how to use his protective instincts on the field, Leigh Anne steps in (as is her wont) and demonstrates how the other members of the team are stand-ins for his family. Going to other peoples houses and asking for something to eat. And even though The Blind Side is based on true events, the movieloves its White Saviors as well, with Sandra Bullock selflessly rescuingfuture offensive lineman Michael Oherfrom an inevitable life of crime and poverty. With him are the Tuohy Family (Collins, Sean, Leigh Anne and Sean Jr.), as well as his brother Marcus and his tutor, Sue Mitchell. Collins replies that they cannot just throw Michael out. If you'd like to learn more about subtly racist movies or movies with subliminal racism, click here. Later, Leigh Anne and Sean watch their daughter Collins playing volleyball. According to his official website, Aaron formed the Quinton Aaron foundation on August 15, 2012, hoping to offer a resource for children to learn about stopping bullying and curbing childhood obesity. This leads to Sandra Bullock threatening to shoot and kill him with the gun she is always packing. The mother of Michael Oher, Denise is largely a peripheral presence in The Blind Side, and in Michael Oher's own life. You protect his blindside. How you have his. [11] The movie enjoyed a rare greater success for the second weekend than it did in its opening weekend, taking in an estimated $40 million, an increase of 18 percent, from November 27 to November 29, 2009, coming in second to New Moon once again, bringing its gross to $100.3 million. He began to throw elbows. A quiet loner, Michael has trouble adjusting to the nearly all-white private school, and has great difficulty with written tests. It looks like the sky is the limit for this compassionate performer. It was amazing he hadnt already died some nineteenth-century death from, say, the mumps. "I could focus on school, and my grades started to go up. But details like that don't win actresses Academy Awards. The movie (based on a book by Michael Lewis) tells the story of Michael Oher, a black NFL lineman who was adopted by a white Southern family when he was a homeless teenager. especially one that protects a left-handed quarterback's blind side. Aaron played the . First he played Michael, a genetic scientist, inThe Second Coming of Christ, another religious film about the rapture and finding faith in God. It just went away, the way it would have gone away for some well-to-do white kid. The way the content is organized, Leigh Anne Tuohy is the matriarch of the Tuohy family, the wife of, Sean Tuohy is a coach at Briarcrest at the time when, An inner-city Memphis man who takes care of. Most of the teachers have little faith he will succeed. Tony liked Big Mike, but he also could see that Big Mike was heading at warp speed toward a bad end. Michaels job was simply to take the kid who had been jabbering at him and wall him off. An All-American at Ole' Miss, Michael Oher holds up a jersey after being selected as the Baltimore Ravens' first round draft pick at Radio City Music Hall April 25, 2009. When Michael returns to the Hurt Village housing project, rife with drug dealers, he discovers his mother's apartment locked up. And, after a long round of fulsome apologies and ten hours of community service, Michael was restored to his former status of model citizenand the incident never even hit the campus newspaper. Emmett Till and the Civil Rights Movement, Colorizeds Photos from the Civil Rights Era, Quietly Racist Things You Probably Missed In 'The Blind Side'. "I was determined to do anything and everything required, because if you love what you're doing, you are going to give one hundred and ten percent," he said. As for whether he has a dream role he'd love to pursue, Aaron showed his willingness to reach for the stars again when he admitted that he's always wanted to play 007 himself, James Bond. He went on to lecture Michael on the burdens of conspicuous success. No, really. [24][29], Michael Oher has also voiced his displeasure with the movie and takes particular exception to its portrayal of his intelligence. The film was inspired by the real-life story of football player Michael Oher, played by Aaron, who was adopted by his high school football coach's family. Even if Michael still feels like an outsider, and continues to face racism and prejudice, his success as a football player has helped him escape some of the worst forms of racism in American society. She is currently a student at USC majoring in broadcast journalism. She had already satisfied his most basic needs: food, clothing, shelter, transportation, and health care. Mike's performance on the field, once he remembers to use his protective instincts, is exemplary. Redbox and Netflix customers had to wait 28 days before they were able to rent the movie. Runningback for the San Francisco 49ers in the 1980s. In all, Michael adjusts to his new community, partly with the help of the generous Tuohy family, and partly because of his own innate kindness and talent as a football player. It was actually a return to the franchise for Aaron, as he had previously appeared in two episodes ofLaw & Orderin 2007, before his big break on The Blind Side. By CBSNews.com producer David Morgan . Sometimes you might not even know why you're doing something. The Blind Side stars Sandra Bullock as Oher's real-life adoptive mother Leigh Anne Tuohy,who is married to a guy named Sean who ownsTaco Bell (played by country singer Tim McGraw). Coach O, for instance, pulled Michael into his office to discuss The Responsibilities of Being Michael Oher. Lineman for the Washington Redskins in the 1980s. In real life, it was Briarcrest Christian School, not Wingate. The Blind Side was produced by Alcon Entertainment and released by Warner Bros. If you'd like to learn more about the quiet ways in which The Blind Sideis racist, by all means keep reading. Fellow Quarterbacks of Life include actor James Earl Jones, surfer and shark attack survivor Bethany Hamilton, and NFL Hall of Fame Quarterback Warren Moon. You threaten my son, you threaten me. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. ", Quinton Aaron felt some similarities between himself and Oher: "Neither of us knew our fathers growing up. "The mission of the foundation is to provide hope, encouragement, confidence and resources," reads the webpage, "to children on the brink of suicide or battling the damaging effect on self-esteem and confidence caused by the actions or words of others. Above all, Oher pointed out that, unlike in the movie, he was already playing and studying football (and multiple other sports) when he met and moved in with the Tuohys. The generosity of the Tuohys is questioned in some quarters; both well-meaning friends and racist relatives and neighbors wonder aloud about their opening their home and lives to a child from the projects. Racism and Outsiderness Quotes in The Blind Side. Why is the movie the blind side called the blind side? The film ends with information about and photos of the real Tuohy family and Michael Oher. The journey that Michael and the Tuohy family go on is the heart of the movie. Seventeen-year-old Michael "Big Mike" Oher has been in foster care with different families in Tennessee, due to his mother's drug addiction, but every time he is placed in a new home, he runs back to her. And in addition to acting, he's also carved out a niche for himself in a sideline career that might surprise you but makes perfect sense. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. Cookies help us deliver our Services. The movie (based on a book by Michael Lewis) tells the story of Michael Oher, a black NFL lineman who was adopted by a white Southern family when he was a homeless teenager. The Blind Side (2009) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. In becoming a Tuohy, Michael conquers some of his loneliness: for the first time in his life, he has a family that gives him unconditional love and takes care of his needssomething that couldnt be said of his biological mother, Denise Oher. He seldom attended classes, and showed no talent or interest in school. Prior to filming, Aaron underwent seven weeks of extensive training, and lost more than 100 pounds. In spite of her "feisty" and "energetic" performance, he felt that there was a lack of development concerning Michael's character: "Not until the end of the film do we ever get a chance to really see what's going on in Oher's headhow he feels about being the chosen one plucked from the poverty-stricken projects of Memphis and thrown into this protected, nonliberal-leaning environment of privilege. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft and played in the National Football League. When the Ole Miss defense gathered in a single room, the only white people were coaches. Despite mixed reviews from critics, Bullock's performance was universally praised, leading to her winning the Academy Award for Best Actress. While the trailer makes the film seem like a light comedy, critics like Scott Haeyes of the St. Albert Gazette and Last Caress of Battle Royale with Cheese note that it's actually much darker, but an enjoyable film nonetheless. About the hundredth time someone asked her how she handled his sexual urges, Leigh Anne snapped. Thanks to the persistence of a father figure, Big Tony, Michael becomes one of the only black students at Briarcrest Christian Academy. The circumstances were that the Ole Miss football team, like the Mississippi State football team, consisted mostly of poor black kids from Mississippi. Big Mike was going to drop out, said Big Tony. Left tackle for the San Francisco 49ers during. If you'd like to read about other critically-laudedmovies thataren't all they're cracked up to be,here and hereyou go. The Blind Side: (Movie Tie-in Edition) by Michael Lewis (17-Nov-2009) Paperback. It takes a condiment-oriented demonstration from S.J.. So, to that trailblazer, who allowed me to have that . When Michael gets angry, the gang leader threatens to go after them, and as a result, Michael battles with him and others. Michael didn't learn of his father's death until three months after it happened, partially because it took time for his father to be identified. For making me practice every day when I got home. [37][failed verification] The change was interpreted as a response to films like The Blind Side being nominated for Best Picture to fill up the set number of spots.[38][39]. Football drama fictionalizes events surrounding the true story of All-American offensive tackle Michael Oher. By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies. O the wild charge they made! It is an acceptablemovie to watchinthe YMCA movieroom if you have forgotten your headphones and also ifmost of your soulhas died. InFishbowl California, Aaron played a lovable bodega clerk who befriends the leading lady. On August 19, 2009, Redbox sued Warner Home Video[44] to continue purchasing DVD titles at wholesale prices. Aaron plays Tommy, a member of the camera crew. Surprisingly often, given the abundance of public housing in Memphis, they had no shelter. One of the few students to befriend him is Sean Tuohy Jr., or "SJ" (Jae Head), who encourages Mike to smile. Years later, it became the focus of a discussion about racism. The way the content is organized, LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in, Compare and contrast themes from other texts to this theme, The ThemeTracker below shows where, and to what degree, the theme of Racism and Outsiderness appears in each chapter of. White saviors in film are nothing new, andthey've evenbeen parodied byMAD TV. ", Aaron explained thatHalfwayrepresented an important turning point in his career. "[21] Metacritic, which assigned a score of 53 out of 100, based on reviews from 29 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews". The Blind Side was released on DVD and Blu-ray on March 23, 2010. Even after Michael overcomes some of the challenges of outsiderness, however, he continues to experience racism and discrimination. Shed been taking care of his material needs for a good year and a half, and his emotional ones, to the extent he wanted them taken care of, for almost as long. Back then, according to his IMDb page, he played an uncredited bouncer/bodyguard. "Acting is definitely my primary focus," he said, "but I'm certainly interested in producing as well. Areboot of the 2000 movie based on thepost-apocalyptic Christian book series byTim LaHayeandJerry B. Jenkins, the story follows a rapture in whichChristians with strong faith start to mysteriously disappear, leaving behind only those that haven't found Christ. The late Alan Thicke stars as Patrick Spencer, a wealthy and pretentious self-help guru; Aaron plays Brian "Giant Man" Calhoun, a heroin addict recruited by a gang of criminals to kidnap Spencer's daughter and hold her for ransom. In October 2014, The Wrap reported that Aaron was going to star in and executive produce a film called Halfway, about a man released from prison into a Wisconsin farming town. Kick him out of one growth path and onto another. He'd be an unorthodox choice, but it may not be bad timing, as word on the street is they're already looking for a brand new Bond. He was shot and killed, then thrown off an overpass on the west side of Memphis. Big Mike responded badly; Harrington hadnt seen this side of him. Chiesa cattolica antica La Chiesa cattolica antica stata posta sotto il primato dell'arcivescovo John Kersey della Chiesa episcopale apostolica nel 2008 (successivamente divenuto principe-abate di San Luigi e catholicos d'Occidente), e l'eredit del suo fondatore, l'arcivescovo Harold Percival Nicholson, rimane attiva oggi. 3,711. Aaron played the main character, Byron, who struggles to leave his life of crime in the past. Michael Oher has one main issue with the Hollywoodized version of his life. Once he had his hands inside the Munford players shoulder pads, he lifted him off the ground. Accepting the Oscar for Best Actress for "The Blind Side," Sandra Bullock said, "I would like to thank what this film is about for me, which are the moms that take care of the babies and the children no matter where they come from. I do believe in this.". 4.4 out of 5 stars. Didn't at least one of the six hundred guys think about giving up, and joining with the other side? Oscar-winner and Memphis native Kathy Bates ("Misery," "Titanic," ") plays Miss Sue, the tutor who helps Michael raise his academic scores in order to qualify for a football scholarship. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. Briarcrest was this kids last chance! I, in particular, failed to thank one. Why did she assume anNFL career was the only viable path for a giant Black man? A number of NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision coaches and recruiters make brief appearances as themselves: Phillip Fulmer, Lou Holtz, Tom Lemming, Houston Nutt, Ed Orgeron, Franklin "Pepper" Rodgers, Nick Saban, and Tommy Tuberville.[4]. But the family easily accepts him, including SJ and his sister Collins (Lily Collins). 2016 started off in familiar fashion for Aaron, with a bit part inMothers and Daughtersthat didn't even make the first page of the film's IMDb credits. You worry about your life and Ill worry about mine, shed said. After they make the U-turn to pick up Michael, Sean asks, "Where to?" Former England boss Eddie Jones has been reappointed as head coach of his native Australia on a deal running to 2027. And, of course, to Oher's athletic abilities, football instincts, and determined personality, which were real. Namely, it's the film'simplication that he's unintelligent, rather than "a kid who had never had consistent academic instruction and ended up thriving once he got it," he wrote in "I Beat the Odds." 'Ompaloompah' here is your tailback. Given how much Michael Oher had lived through by the time he reached high school, it's disappointing but perhaps not surprising that "The Blind Side" oversimplifies his journey. He also wrote the screenplays for Clint Eastwood's "A Perfect World" and "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil," and was creator of the TV Series "L.A. All I can say is, if there were more Leigh Anne Tuohys, the world would be a better-run, more harmonious and more productive placeas long as it was by her rules! Whatever Happened To The Actor From The Blind Side? Head coach for the University of Tennessee. Although Halfway would take some time to produce, Aaron didn't slow down while the indie film was underway, and stayed busy taking an assortment of other acting jobs in between. Adam Lacey. We've got a volunteer. [ laughs] I know, really close families.". Michael Oher, a struggling African-American teenager from a broken home facing an uncertain future, turned his life around when affluent couple Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy took him in and acted on his love of football, fostering his . Word must have gotten around because after that no one asked. Michael Oher: Courage is a hard thing to figure. In 2015, Aaron had a small role in My Favorite Five, a film about a sexually manipulative woman who uses her feminine wiles to get ahead in life. For all we know, Michael could be a straight-upasshole, but because the film gives a very flat version of the real-life man, it's impossible to know as a viewer. However, Michael appears to be hesitant to use his strength and size while practicing, Leigh Anne tells him, as an offensive lineman, he must protect his quarterback. Again, because he isn't given the opportunity to speak for himself in the film, viewers can't be sure what Oher really would have wanted. When Michael gets his grades high enough, he decides to attend the University of Mississippi (known colloquially as "Ole Miss"). visual effects supervisor: Digiscope . [1], In its third weekend, the movie continued its trend of rare feats by moving up to the number one position with $20.4 million in sales after spending the previous two weekends in second place for a total gross of $128.8 million, due to strong word-of-mouth. My students love how organized the handouts are and enjoy tracking the themes as a class.. [20], Sandra Bullock's performance on The Blind Side received wide praise. Popular football scout who traveled the country searching for NFL prospects still in high school, and whose newsletter was once required reading for football coaches and other NFL insiders. Through it all, the film'smuted politeness prevents it from ever having to address any of these issues. By assigning him these character traits, the film is able to fit him into its narrative of "Kind But Underprivileged Black Man Who Needs Rescuing," as opposed to Live and Active Agent and Human Being With His Own Dreams, Goals, and Desires. Halfwaydidn't hit theaters until April 21, 2017. In 2010, he had a guest-starring role in an episode ofLaw &Order: SVUthataired on March 24, 2010. But it took many people from different parts of Oher's life to provide the support and opportunities he needed to achieve athletic stardom. In The Blind Side Lewis examines how Michael responds to his outsider status in white, upper-class Memphisin particular, the varying degrees of racism that he experiences as a young man. Montez de Oca, J. She interviewed Oher as part of a program that identified top prospects and monitored their recruitment. "[27] Melissa Anderson of the Dallas Observer argues that the "mute, docile" portrayal of Oher effectively endorses the Uncle Tom stereotype of African-American submission to white authority. They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. What if he wanted to move to Brooklynand make performance art? A big part of the tutors job was to steer the players away from the professors and courses most likely to lead to lack of performance. [17] The Blind Side ended its domestic theatrical run on June 4, 2010 (nearly 7 months after it opened), earning a total of nearly $256 million. Queste pagine forniscono un resoconto dettagliato della sua storia . In his interview withHuffington Post's Pam Stucky, he explained that while he'll always love acting, he's not opposed to testing the waters in other areas of showbiz. The film premiered on November 17 in New York City and New Orleans, and opened in theaters in the rest of the United States and in Canada on November 20. When the movie came out, Oher was in his first season in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens though he eventually won a Super Bowl with the team in 2013 (via EW). Bullock's character essentially forces Oher into football once she learns of his "protective instincts" on a career-aptitude test. Below you will find the important quotes in The Blind Side related to the theme of Racism and Outsiderness. After that, Aaron briefly went back to football films withGreater, this time as Coach Aaron, a supporting character in the biopic about real-life football player Brandon Burlsworth from the University of Arkansas. Home would have been behind them; they would have had to make another U-turn. Legendary quarterback for the Washington Redskins, whose, Legendary offensive player for the New York Giants in the 1980s, whose sack essentially ended the career of. Last Caress even makes a point of noting the "fine performance from the incredibly likable Quinton Aaron.". (2012). In his book, I Beat The Odds: From Homelessness, to The Blind Side, and Beyond, Oher wrote, "I felt like it [the movie] portrayed me as dumb instead of as a kid who had never had consistent academic instruction and ended up thriving once he got it. Slowly, Michael becomes a member of the Tuohy family; Leigh Anne's friends question this and suggest that Collins might not be safe around him, but Leigh Anne criticizes them. You can see video of her story here. "[24], According to Michael Rechtshaffen of The Hollywood Reporter, Bullock's character is an "irrepressible hoot in writer-director John Lee Hancock's otherwise thoroughly conventional take on Michael Lewis' fact-based book." "When I started to see that I had two or three pair of shoes to wear to school and I had multiple pants, my mental health started getting stronger," Oher said. "When I first started speaking to kids, it was about following your dreams,"he recalled. LitCharts Teacher Editions. Then she went back home and relayed the conversation to Michael, who held out his arm. Upon its release, the film quickly went on to become the ninth highest-grossing movie in the U.S.in 2009, and earned Sandra Bullock a Best Actress Oscar. The president in turn had phoned Simpson and told him that if he felt right with it, he could admit the boy. They're my family and without them I wouldn't be here," and "They taught me a lot of things, showed me a lot of different things. One night, Leigh Anne notices Michael walking alone on the road, shivering in the cold without adequate clothing. Hes also the biggest kid at Briarcrest by far, and he comes from an impoverished inner-city family. I think that's what the writer was saying, that you should hope for courage and try for honor. The Blind Side Script There's a moment of orderly silence before a football play begins. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. While little-known actors can gain a lot of exposure quickly, they can also be pigeonholed into playing one type of character. Impressed by Mike's size and athleticism, Cotton gets him admitted despite his poor academic record. His name was Michael Oher, but everyone just called him Big Mike. Tony liked Big Mike, but he also could see that Big Mike was heading at warp speed toward a bad end. LEIGH ANNE I suppose they can be on the team, too. The representation of most of the actors was excellent, especially the white mother. Despite that star power, it only grossed $6,300,147 at the box office on its opening weekend, and enduredserious scorn from critics. Instead, the movie feels the need to drawextreme comparisons between the Tuohys'mannerly haven of Whiteness and Oher'scrack-addled, gun-toting extended family. Sandra Bullock has her Best Actress Oscar statuette engraved with her name at the Governors Ball following the 82nd Academy Awards Sunday, March 7, 2010. But "The Blind Side"showcased his childhood growing up in poverty without parental support or a stable home. The 100 Best Jobs Homer Simpson Has Worked on The Simpsons, The Best Movies About Having A Midlife Crisis. The story of Michael Oher, a homeless and traumatized boy who became an All-American football player and first-round NFL draft pick with the help of a caring woman and her family. When she sees Michael, a large Black man, walking on the side of the road one night, she stops and talks to him instead of rolling up her windows. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. The next morning, Leigh Anne notices that Michael has left. Sometimes, popular overnight sensations likeThe Blind Sidecan be the kiss of death for young careers.
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