The Blind Side
Family and football were two things Michael Oher had never experienced in his life. But they ultimately became the two things that changed his life forever.
Growing up virtually abandoned in the poverty-stricken projects of Memphis, appropriately called Hurt Village, Michael had had few options and even fewer opportunities. But that was before he crossed paths with an unstoppable force in the person of Leigh Anne Tuohy.
What followed was a series of events that would be hard to believe except for the fact that the events are true. Michael became a member of the Tuohy family, who nurtured his abilities both on and off the football field, resulting in an inspiring story that is still unfolding today.
Director/screenwriter John Lee Hancock states: "It really is two different stories, one of which is more of a question: Who is Michael Oher and why did the stars align to shine so brightly on this kid from the projects in Memphis?
"And then on the other side, it’s a great story about how this unique family evolved, and the unconventional mother-son relationship at its center. Sports, specifically football, was the engine that propelled the story forward, but he could have been a dancer or a pianist it wouldn’t have made any difference. The journey that Michael and the Tuohy family go on is the heart of the movie."
Sandra Bullock, who stars in the role of Leigh Anne Tuohy, notes, "The beauty of the story is that you think it’s one thing and it turns out to be something else, and those are usually the best things in life.
"I thought the script was going to be about football until I read it and realized that it’s really about family."
She adds that, while it is obvious how much the Tuohys did for Michael Oher, it was not that one-sided. They certainly did a good deed in taking in this young man in such a loving and generous way.
But, in turn, he brought out a side of their family that they didn’t even realize was missing. The family seemed to have all the success and joy in the world, but when Michael showed up, it was as if he was the final piece to the puzzle.
The actress’s observation is confirmed by her real-life counterpart, Leigh Anne Tuohy, who offers, "I think Michael had a much greater impact on our lives than we did on his. You take so much in life for granted, but when Michael moved in with us, he made us realize how blessed we are. We viewed life differently after he joined our family."
How Michael Oher became a part of the Tuohy family was first chronicled in the best-selling book The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game, written by Michael Lewis, who had previously focused on the sport of baseball in his bestseller Moneyball.
The author reveals that he stumbled on the story of Oher and the Tuohys almost by accident. "For anyone who wants to interpret the whole thing as some kind of miracle, there’s a lot of evidence," he laughs.
Lewis, who had gone to high school with Leigh Anne’s husband, Sean Tuohy, had initially contacted his old classmate to interview him for an article about their school baseball coach. That eventually led to his meeting Michael and learning of his relationship with the Tuohys.
The book The Blind Side juxtaposes Michael’s story with an in-depth look at how the position of left tackle on a football team has grown in importance, instigated by a single, unforgettable play Lawrence Taylor’s career-ending sack of quarterback Joe Theismann in November 1985.
Assigned to protect a right-handed quarterback from what he can’t see coming, a good left tackle often earns a salary second only to the quarterback himself. Michael Lewis admits, "At first I thought that was bizarre because almost nobody pays attention to the left tackle.
"But when I looked into it, I learned that the market had determined this incredible value in the position and that he’d evolved into a particular physical type the elephant as ballerina, for lack of a better description.
"That interested me. Then when Sean told me that Michael was being scouted as a prospect for the position of left tackle, I could see how it all went together."
Tim McGraw, who stars as Sean Tuohy, asserts that you don’t have to be a sports fan to appreciate The Blind Side. "Whether or not you are interested in football, or sports at all, the story behind this movie is so heartwarming, I think it will appeal to everyone."
Producer Broderick Johnson agrees. "The appeal of this story is the combination of heart and humor, as well as sports, which has had its share of negative press in recent years. In fact, so much of the general news these days is about all the things that are going wrong and this is one of those instances where something very positive happened that transformed both Michael Oher and the Tuohy family.
"It’s an inspiring story in a world that’s divided, in large part, by the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots.’ It shows that you can be a good Samaritan and it can benefit you as much as the person you’re helping. I think it’s very entertaining, but it’s also very powerful."
One of the things that set The Blind Side apart was that when the book was published, and even as the movie was being made, much of Michael’s story was still unfolding. Producer Andrew A. Kosove explains, "It is a current events story, as it were, but I don’t think that creates complications as much as it creates opportunities.
"It’s very timely, especially in the 21st century, when we have come to understand that there is no set type of family. We live in a society made up of different kinds of families, where the only things that really matter are our love and support for one another.
"I think that’s a wonderful thing, and it’s a message that people can really relate to in this day and age."
The fact that the The Blind Side takes place in the present day also benefited Hancock, who says, "I loved the book and spoke at length with Michael Lewis, who is a fantastic writer, but, if possible, it’s always important to meet the real people and hear how they talk instead of just reading it.
"So spending time with the Tuohys and Michael and being around them as a family was invaluable."
For the Tuohy family, seeing this chapter of their lives become a best-selling book and then a major motion picture was somewhat bemusing. Sean Tuohy relates, "When Michael Lewis first called, he was going to write a nice, little article.
"We still haven’t quite figured out how, somewhere along the way in this whole thing, it went from a nice little article to a book and now a movie," he laughs.
"The Tuohys opened up their home and their lives, so we felt a great deal of responsibility to do right by their family, and that’s a lot to live up to," says Bullock.
"You want people to be entertained, but you also want them to leave the theatre with a genuine understanding of who these people are.
"I know that was important to John, who was determined that we not do anything that didn’t ring true. It was one of the things I really liked about working with him; he’s a wonderful filmmaker."
Kosove adds, "John Lee Hancock and Alcon have a relationship that goes back more than ten years. He is a fantastic writer and an outstanding director. We knew he would hit this movie out of the park, or should I say into the end zone, which is exactly what he did."
Producer Gil Netter comments that everyone involved in the film, on both sides of the camera, shared a common goal, no pun intended. "The entire cast and crew wanted to do justice to this extraordinary story and the people behind it.
It made the whole production a tremendously fulfilling experience, from beginning to end, and I am very proud of the movie."
The Blind Side is released 26th March.
Family and football were two things Michael Oher had never experienced in his life. But they ultimately became the two things that changed his life forever.
Growing up virtually abandoned in the poverty-stricken projects of Memphis, appropriately called Hurt Village, Michael had had few options and even fewer opportunities. But that was before he crossed paths with an unstoppable force in the person of Leigh Anne Tuohy.
What followed was a series of events that would be hard to believe except for the fact that the events are true. Michael became a member of the Tuohy family, who nurtured his abilities both on and off the football field, resulting in an inspiring story that is still unfolding today.
Director/screenwriter John Lee Hancock states: "It really is two different stories, one of which is more of a question: Who is Michael Oher and why did the stars align to shine so brightly on this kid from the projects in Memphis?
"And then on the other side, it’s a great story about how this unique family evolved, and the unconventional mother-son relationship at its center. Sports, specifically football, was the engine that propelled the story forward, but he could have been a dancer or a pianist it wouldn’t have made any difference. The journey that Michael and the Tuohy family go on is the heart of the movie."
Sandra Bullock, who stars in the role of Leigh Anne Tuohy, notes, "The beauty of the story is that you think it’s one thing and it turns out to be something else, and those are usually the best things in life.
"I thought the script was going to be about football until I read it and realized that it’s really about family."
She adds that, while it is obvious how much the Tuohys did for Michael Oher, it was not that one-sided. They certainly did a good deed in taking in this young man in such a loving and generous way.
But, in turn, he brought out a side of their family that they didn’t even realize was missing. The family seemed to have all the success and joy in the world, but when Michael showed up, it was as if he was the final piece to the puzzle.
The actress’s observation is confirmed by her real-life counterpart, Leigh Anne Tuohy, who offers, "I think Michael had a much greater impact on our lives than we did on his. You take so much in life for granted, but when Michael moved in with us, he made us realize how blessed we are. We viewed life differently after he joined our family."
How Michael Oher became a part of the Tuohy family was first chronicled in the best-selling book The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game, written by Michael Lewis, who had previously focused on the sport of baseball in his bestseller Moneyball.
The author reveals that he stumbled on the story of Oher and the Tuohys almost by accident. "For anyone who wants to interpret the whole thing as some kind of miracle, there’s a lot of evidence," he laughs.
Lewis, who had gone to high school with Leigh Anne’s husband, Sean Tuohy, had initially contacted his old classmate to interview him for an article about their school baseball coach. That eventually led to his meeting Michael and learning of his relationship with the Tuohys.
The book The Blind Side juxtaposes Michael’s story with an in-depth look at how the position of left tackle on a football team has grown in importance, instigated by a single, unforgettable play Lawrence Taylor’s career-ending sack of quarterback Joe Theismann in November 1985.
Assigned to protect a right-handed quarterback from what he can’t see coming, a good left tackle often earns a salary second only to the quarterback himself. Michael Lewis admits, "At first I thought that was bizarre because almost nobody pays attention to the left tackle.
"But when I looked into it, I learned that the market had determined this incredible value in the position and that he’d evolved into a particular physical type the elephant as ballerina, for lack of a better description.
"That interested me. Then when Sean told me that Michael was being scouted as a prospect for the position of left tackle, I could see how it all went together."
Tim McGraw, who stars as Sean Tuohy, asserts that you don’t have to be a sports fan to appreciate The Blind Side. "Whether or not you are interested in football, or sports at all, the story behind this movie is so heartwarming, I think it will appeal to everyone."
Tagged in Sandra Bullock