There are certain movies I always try and watch alone: crappy straight to DVD action films that star Dolph Lungren, Indie Christian films that actually got released somehow and the 1) occasional sentimental, 2) based on real life, 3) dramatic yet funny type film. Such a film as "The Blind Side" fits pretty well into that rambling third set of movies. As a dramatic interpretation of actual events, compressed and reinvented in the ways that movies must do, it has caused quite a rift between moviegoers, critics and even people who haven't seen it.
I won't get into details of the film itself since that's been done. Instead I will focus on what I have observed about the reaction to the film. Few things irk me more than people praising or (more than likely) ridiculing a film before they have seen it. It would be nice if such people would keep their opinions to themselves before they adversely affect those who have not seen it but that is simply not the nature of the movie going public.
I started hearing negative things about the film before it came out. No, this is not a for sure sign that the film will in fact prove good, quite the opposite. But there was such backlash I was simply curious as to whether or not I could see the film and have an independent reaction to it.
So after the awards season had started up, complete with coverage directed at the film itself and at star Sandra Bullock, I sat down on a weekday evening in my room where I could watch undisturbed. I will admit my favorite thing about the film had little to do with the film itself. The portrayal of selflessness, compassion and love shown got to me and some personal things I happened to be dealing with at the time. This led to me to pause the film a one point and have one of my patented "one on one" conversations with the Lord which ranged from tears to yelling to quiet moments of reflection. I then turned the film back on and continued.
There's nothing really special about this film but it’s a solid film and better than I expected. The script was decent, in need of a smooth script doctor but solid and believable for the most part. The overly sentimental moments were played for what they were meant to be: straight forward moments of humility and honesty that for some reason seem to always come across as hokey. The directing was fine but nothing to write home about. Sandra Bullock's performance was quite "large" (even compared to her real life counter-part) but what impressed me was how easy she portrayed it, unapologetic and (in the case of the super-sentimental moments) fearless. Bullock is a very honest actress and even in her interviews she spoke lovingly of the part she never over-sold it or the film. The ultimate example was her opening line of her Oscar acceptance speech, to the effect of "Did I really deserve this or did I just wear you people down?" I'm guessing she did the part the best that she could, realized its limitations and most importantly, how it played only a part of the reason she was holding Oscar that night. I admire her honesty, and besides Meryl Streep gets nominated for getting up in the morning. I loved her in Julie & Julia, don't get me wrong. But in the big picture Streep will earn multiple Oscars and it may be a rare event for Bullock to be nominated, let alone win. So, why not award Bullock for some of her best work, playing against type to boost. I can't say it was the best actress performance that year but it was one of my favorites and it deserved to be congratulated even if Oscar was a stretch. If she did "steal" it, Oscar will quickly recover.
I'm going to pause here because this just might prove to be my main point (we'll wait and see). Because this movie may have had an impact on me because of who I am and, more importantly, where I was in my life says a lot about its reception I think. Not that I was blinded (pardon the usage) but it did give me a different way to look at it. Movies like this don't hit everybody on the first viewing and as such rarely warrants a hasty second viewing. Perhaps after time passes and events in someone's life sets them in a different mood their opinion may change. When you stack "The Blind Side" up next to films of that year like "Inglorious Basterds" "Up In The Air" and "The Hurt Locker" it looks silly. Yes, even I would agree its Best Picture nomination was a mistake. I was interested to hear some fans of "Up" dislike "The Blind Side." I wonder if "Up" had been filmed live action and "The Blind Side" in animation, would their views hold steady? I doubt it. Parts of "Up" that were so tender were aided and elevated by animation. To see them live action would probably have elicited more than a few groans (unless Meryl Streep played at least one role).
Wow, I wrote a lot here. To close, I can not stand and say "The Blind Side" is a great movie. It's not. It's a good movie- solid, enjoyable but not great. Parts of it were very emotionally powerful but they had eevry right to be that way and drove the movie even more than Bullock. Watch it now and watch it again when you think you just might get something out of it that is bigger than the film itself. Labor of love films deserve that much at least. As forme, I admire the film for what it made me experience and that wasn't just the film by itself. If you still can't find anything to like about it, it doesn't mean you have no heart, but I would check to be sure :)
Closing thought:
If one's opinion about any (movie, book, sermon) good or bad, does not evolve and grow over time, that is the true tragedy.
Happy watching!
-Ben
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