Blind Side: Real Life is Quite the Inspiration

“Some rambling people on the Internet were saying The Blind Side perpetuates the stereotype of the cookie cutter rich white woman who helps out the poor minority…as seen in Mad TV’s sketch, ‘Nice White Lady!’ Don’t they realize it’s based on a true story and the woman really was rich and white?”

Discussing my work with my daughter is never dull.  Not only does she keep me entertained, she sees the overlooked intricacies among the ordinary and mundane… much like the (yes, real) life story portrayed in The Blind Side.

Perhaps by now you’ve seen the movie in the theaters or at least heard that Sandra Bullock won an Oscar for her portrayal of rich white lady, Leigh Anne Touhy. Who took in, then later adopted, a poor, homeless black student. Who, through love, determination, grit, ethics and energy of a Tasmanian Devil, helped Michael become a successful student, football star and maybe more importantly, a loving, secure, cherished member of her family.

I saw The Blind Side in the theater on Christmas Day and knew I wanted to own this movie. Yes, I love Sandra Bullock and respect director John Lee Hancock’s work immensely — but this movie embodied fully what so many movies do only partially — it played to everyone and on every emotion: from self doubt to satisfaction, frustration to joy — but it did so while showing us real life. Real people. People who could easily be our neighbors. Could easily be you and me.

I left the theater happy, entertained and inspired. But I’m just a chick who loves a good escape every once in a while… so I asked John Lee Hancock, who also wrote the screenplay, if the movie inspired him to reach and help others — and not just with his checkbook.  The answer? Yes. Hancock said when you’re involved in a story like this, it places a burden on you to identify the needs of others — which is exactly what he and his wife did. They’re currently working and giving back in their hometown — sweat equity included.

Sandra Bullock, as Leigh Anne, truly drives this movie, yet it’s clear, through some phenomenal and natural actors, how the entire Touhy household adopted, loved and was simply family to Michael. While dad, brother and sister gave of themselves, they too (as individuals and a family unit), were loved and transformed in the process.

I’m certain The Blind Side will thoroughly entertain you, and who knows? Maybe you too will be transformed in the process.

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