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MOVIES
Joyce: He is truly a gentle giant who hardly speaks. His background includes a crack addict mother and no knowledge of his father. He comes from the projects of Memphis, Tennessee and wanders the streets.
Rico: He is quite tall and weighs 344 pounds--a gentle giant, who is around 16 years old, but we aren't sure.
Then comes his lucky day. He comes to the attention of a rich white lady (Sandra Bullock) with a social conscience, a heart of gold and millions of dollars. Her understanding husband (Tim McGraw) loves and supports her to a fault.
Joyce: When she discovers "Big Mike" he becomes her project. They twist arms and get him enrolled in the Christian School their kids attend and which they support financially. They proceed to groom him academically; enough that he can find a life and also become academically eligible to play sports. They love football - so "Big Mike", now called Michael, slowly learns football and becomes a member of the high school team. And what an advantage he had with his size, strength and speed.
Rico: Oher is played by Quintin Aaron, who has the size and acting ability to do the film justice. Oher becomes one of the top football prospects in the country and ends up being recruited by a number of southern college football coaches, who play themselves in the film.
Joyce: Sandra Bullock is fine as Leigh Ann Tuhey, the loving and driven mother who is committed to lifting this young man out of the trash can of life. The family's courage helps make this the "feel good" movie of the season. McGraw is effective as the lovable, laid back dad who cheerfully pays all the bills along the way. But you'll love the young comedic actor who plays the Tuhey's young son. He is hilarious, with some of the best lines in the story.
Rico: In addition to becoming a football phenom, Michael finds himself deeply loved by a real family. Being a huge black man adopted by a conservative white family has its bumps in the road, mostly due to racial prejudice. They protect him and he protects them, just like his quarterback. Their love for each other is obvious. The film has a "Hollywood Ending" but as I mentioned it's a true story. It's a real "feel good" ala "Rocky" and the hockey miracle at the Lake Placid Olympics.
Joyce: It's just a terrific story. But it probably hits just the high points. Surely there were many more problems in this difficult undertaking that weren't presented in this movie version of a book. It's a satisfying and moving story, if a bit Hollywood in its telling. But you'll love it.
***1/2
Rico: I liked it a lot - you will too. **** bright green light. And oh, stay for the credits.
Film: The Blind Side
Cast Includes: Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Michael Oher, Kathy Bates
Genre: Drama
Rated: PG-13 one scene involving brief violence, drug and sexual references
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