I absolutely adore the movie, The Blind Side! The semi-biographical film, starring Sandra
Bullock, Quinton Aaron, Tim McGraw, Kathy Bates, Lily Collins, and Jae Head,
was released in 2009. The film follows Michael Oher’s “rags-to-riches” life
during his high school years up to his first-round draft pick in the NFL. As a
homeless, black teen, Michael knows everything about the projects and the
“other side” of Memphis, Tennessee, but he had no experience in school,
football, or even family. One cold night, his life changed when Leigh Anne
Tuohy invited him into her home. As time progressed, Michael becomes a member
of the Tuohy family, the Wingate Christian school, and the school’s football
team. Trouble stirs when the NCAA investigates Michael’s decision to play for
Ole Miss. After running away from confusion, Michael returns and trumps the
NCAA. The film ends with the Tuohy family saying goodbye to Michael at Ole Miss
and the real Michael Oher being drafted in the NFL. In the end, everyone is a
happy camper, minus Leigh Anne having to leave her baby boy at college.
The film’s
setting, Memphis, Tennessee, portrays and compares two completely different
parts of the South: the lower class and upper class. As the film begins with the
opening credits, different areas of the city flash on the screen. For example,
railroads, run down houses, and homeless people pushing buggies begin the
credits, which characterizes the lower class of the South. Then, families
playing in large front lawns, nicer neighborhoods, and a woman pushing a baby
on a paved sidewalk close the credits and illustrate the upper class. Comparing
this new South’s setting with the old South’s setting holds few differences, as
far as representing social classes. This whole opening defines the clear
distinction between the lower and upper class, whereas the relationship between
Leigh Anne Tuohy and Michael Oher bridges the social and racial gap.
Leigh Anne, one of the wealthiest white people in Memphis, takes in Michael, a homeless black teenager, and cares for him like a son. This act of kindness causes uproar from Leigh Anne’s rich “friends,” who do not understand the situation. With their words, the rich women portray the old South. For instance, the women taunt Michael about his race and class, as well as Leigh Anne adopting him. One woman says, “Is this some sort of white guilt thing?” Another says, “What would your daddy say?” Of course, Leigh Anne snaps back at them and claims that Michael is changing her life, instead of her changing his life. Along with the rich women, the students at Wingate Christian school treat Michael differently with their actions. On his first day of school, all the students, who are all white, judge him by his appearance: a baggy, old shirt and shorts with worn out shoes. Plus, he carries his belongings, which consists of an extra shirt and his textbook, in a grocery bag. The students do not take the time to talk to him or acknowledge him; additionally, they stay away from him as if he has a disease. The teachers do not act any better, except for one who takes time to help him. It is ironic how these teachers teach at a Christian school, yet they seem to have trouble accepting and helping a colored boy. These three groups of people signify the old South through thinking, actions, and words.
On a different
note, the character of Leigh Anne Tuohy does not wholly define a classic
southern belle. Leigh Anne is a strong-willed woman who always gets her way.
Instead of her husband, she acts as the “man of the house” and makes most of
the decisions for the family. She speaks her mind, especially when someone
bashes her family. However, Leigh Anne does possess some classic southern
qualities. For example, she lives in a huge house, dresses properly, has blonde
hair, and acts religious (for the most part). Furthermore, Leigh Anne’s most
noticeable trait is her motherly and caring side. When she first saw Michael,
his appearance, class, race, or demeanor did not intimidate her. Her motherly
instinct knew that he needed someone to care for him, as well as a supportive
family. With her help, Michael becomes the man he grows to be. Thus, Leigh Anne
upholds a classic southern figure with a twist of her own style.
The Blind Side compares the old and new South, teaches classic and new southern traditions, and shows the South’s progression with class and race over the years. I conclude with two short clips of my favorite parts of the movie. Enjoy! - Paige Pack
I do like this movie because it shows that not every southern person can be put into the sterotyical categories that the southerners have. Leigh Anne portrays that type of southern person that is out of reach from the stereotypes. It makes me happy that there are movies that make the South look like it is at least growing and learning.
ReplyDeleteThis movie definitely portrayed southern stereotypes. The most memorable moment in the film to me is when the relative receives the Tuohys' family Christmas card. He gives the family a phone call as the movie flashes a scene of him sitting on his Lazy-boy drinking a beer and watching TV in his flannel plaid shirt. He asks the question, "Did you know there's a colored boy in the picture?". This scene shows the lower level income class of the south and the stable rejection of black culture in Memphis.
ReplyDeleteI personally love the plot of "The Blind Side," although maybe it is adhearing to my stereotypical, Southern love of college football. That being said, the story is revolutionary in the sense of a young, "hypersexual" black man coming into the home and being adopted by a white family. This is escpecially portrayed in one of the scenes Paige describes where Sandra Bullock's character has lunch with her white, rich friends (I mean, c'mon they might as well have been wearing bonnets and holding fancing umbrellas) and they ask her why she is inviting a black boy into their home. Southern accents are often quite atrocious, and the very image of Tim McGraw playing the father is enough to make me puke, but the message gets across. I do think this movie busts stereotypes of the blonde, white Southern gal at the hands of the "monsterous" black man, and for that, we have to love "The Blind Side."
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, this is a great movie! But as far as analysis goes on Southern qualities, appearance seems to be fairly important. Leigh Anne buys Michael new clothes after she sees that kids at school are singling him out. The kids at school represent the superficial South where money and status separates you from others. Leigh Anne represents the ultimate form of Southern hospitality when she invites Michael to live in their house. Not many people would do that, but Leigh Anne is just that kind of mothering, caring character. Of course, football plays a key role in the film, which adds to the southern feel because I'm sure we all know Southerners love their football! Overall, this is a very good movie about overcoming obstacles and stereotypes proscribed by others.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this movie when I saw it, but I found Leigh Anne's accent to be a little "put on." The story is heart warming and you feel good about yourself leaving the theater. I think it did do a good job of showcasing the residual tensions between whites and blacks in the South. I went to a private Christian school during high school, and while the African American students were more integrated into the class they still would hangout frequently in their own group. The South is still hesitant of change even 40 years after the Civil Rights movement. There is still a feeling of "other" between blacks and whites and it goes both ways. I appreciated that this film was realistic about current attitudes in the South, but it continues the stereotypes already in existence.
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