Movie Poster

It's nice, I never had one before.

What, a room to yourself?

A bed.

# Review

Based on the eponymous book by Michael Lewis, the film follows American football tackle Michael Oher from a broken home as he’s taken in by a white and affluent family in Memphis.

I personally enjoyed the book and I felt that while the film captured the story of Michael Oher, some of the football background and context of the book are left out or are hastily shoehorned in. Quinton Aaron played an excellent Oher who is physically strong yet emotionally vulnerable but my favourite role is definitely Sandra Bullock’s headstrong Leigh Anne Tuohy, who is extremely fun to watch. The side characters contributed to the story slightly, such as Ray McKinnon’s Coach Cotton and Tim McGraw’s Sean Tuohy. Other characters, such as Jae Head’s S.J. Tuohy, were annoying to watch.

There are some ethical concerns about the film, however. For one there has been a lawsuit filed by Oher alleging that he did not receive any proceeds from the film. There is also an exaggerated white saviour narrative which credits all of Oher’s success to the Tuohy family. While the Tuohys were probably instrumental to Oher’s success, Oher’s own talents and hardwork is no doubt just as instrumental.

# Conclusion

A touching football story surrounded by some controversy.

# Overall rating: 7.5

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