Salt Lake Tribune Review
Football meets family in this warm-hearted drama, based on the true story of football player Michael Oher. Oher (played here by
Quinton Aaron), a gentle giant growing up practically homeless in the Memphis projects, encounters Leigh Anne Touhy (
Sandra Bullock), a no-bull interior designer married to a wealthy fast-food operator (
Tim McGraw). Leigh Anne brings Michael into their family's home, and urges him to study and play football -- and his talent as an offensive tackle gets him noticed by every major college in the South. (Several NCAA coaches, past and present, make cameos.) Director-writer
John Lee Hancock ("The Rookie") sands down the rough spots of Oher's story, but he also polishes to a glow the family ties that grow between Oher and the Touhys. Bullock, fiery and flinty, gives a standout performance.
-- Sean P. Means
One Good Show
Submitted by: mroose
Once in a while Hollywood will find a story worth telling and then actually do a good job of telling it. It was so refreshing to go into a theatre and be taken to a place where people make choices that benefit others. I loved the way they handled the Projects, you could really feel the tension and sufficating poverty without being bombarded with violence and vulgarity.
The whole family can watch together, the men will like the sporty crusty parts, the women will like the tender sensetive parts, and there is a great message in it for everyone. It has a Rudy type flavor that my whole family loved.
The rundown: A rich Memphis mom (
Sandra Bullock) takes in a black teen (Quentin Aaron) who shows a talent for football in this warm, fact-based drama. 126 minutes. (SPM)
Synopsis: The true story of Michael Oher, a homeless African-American youngster from a broken home, taken in by the Touhys, a well-to-do white family who help him fulfill his potential. At the same time, Oher's presence in the Touhys' lives leads them to some insightful self-discoveries of their own. Living in his new environment, the teen faces a completely different set of challenges to overcome. As a football player and student, Oher works hard and, with the help of his coaches and adopted family, becomes an All-American offensive left tackle..
