The Blind Side
This week we finally get a chance to take a look at Sandra Bullock's Oscar winning turn in The Blind Side.
The Blind Side is based on a true story as Bullock takes on the role of Leigh Anne Tuohy who takes a teenager into her family.
To celebrate the release of the movie we take a look at some of the best rags to riches movies.
- The Blind Side
Teenager Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron) is surviving on his own, virtually homeless, when he is spotted on the street by Leigh Anne Tuohy (Bullock).
Learning that the young man is one of her daughter’s classmates, Leigh Anne insists that Michael wearing shorts and a t-shirt in the dead of winter come out of the cold.
Without a moment’s hesitation, she invites him to stay at the Tuohy home for the night. What starts out as a gesture of kindness turns into something more as Michael becomes part of the Tuohy family despite the differences in their backgrounds.
Living in his new environment, the teen faces a completely different set of challenges to overcome. And as the family helps Michael fulfil his potential, both on and off the football field, Michael’s presence in the Tuohys’ lives leads them to some insightful self-discoveries of their own.
The movie has been a huge critical and commercial hit in America as it became the first movie led by a sole actress to break through the $200 million barrier.
- The Pursuit Of Happiness
In The Pursuit of Happiness, Chris Gardner (Will Smith) is a family man struggling to make ends meet.
Despite his valiant attempts to help keep the family afloat, the mother (Thandie Newton) of his five-year-old son Christopher (Jaden Christopher Smith) is buckling under the constant strain of financial pressure.
No longer able to cope, she reluctantly decides to leave. Chris, now a single father, continues doggedly to pursue a better-paying job using every sales skill he knows. He lands an internship at a prestigious stock brokerage firm, and although there is no salary, he accepts, hopeful he will end the program with a job and a promising future.
What is so incredible about this story is the fact that it is based on truth and Smith delivered a very powerful and poignant performance as Gardener who's desperately trying to provide for his family.
While Smith was box office gold he cemented himself as a real acting heavyweight and not just a funnyman as he received a second Oscar nomination.
- Ray
Ray Charles was a pioneer in the soul music genre during the fifties but, like so many he came from very humble beginnings.
Born in a poor town in Georgia, Ray Charles went blind at the age of seven shortly after witnessing his younger brother's accidental death.
Inspired by a fiercely independent mother who insisted he make his own way in the world, Charles found his calling and his gift behind a piano keyboard.
Touring across the Southern musical circuit, the soulful singer gained a reputation and then exploded with worldwide fame when he pioneered incorporating gospel, country, jazz and orchestral influences into his inimitable style.
As he revolutionized the way people appreciated music, he simultaneously fought segregation in the very clubs that launched him and championed artists' rights within the corporate music business.
Ray provides an unflinching portrait of Charles' musical genius as he overcomes drug addiction while transforming into one of this country's most beloved performers.
Jamie Foxx delivers a truly outstanding central performance as Ray Charles, who pulled himself up only to fall back down as the temptations of fame became too much.
The Academy always likes a biopic pic and Foxx picked up a Best Actor Oscar for his central performance.
- Slumdog Millionaire
You can't look at this genre of movie without looking at Slumdog Millionaire. It's hard to believe that this movie was on the verge of going straight to DVD if it had many of us would have missed out on this rags to riches tale that makes stars of it's cast and once again puts Danny Boyle on the international stage.
The hype around this movie is wholly justified Slumdog Millionaire is one of those movies that you just get caught up in as we follow Jamal's difficult journey as he falls in love, fights to stay alive and faces the chance to leave all his difficulties behind him.
Boyle isn't afraid to dig into India's underbelly highlighting exploitation, corruption and the difficulties to survive and he contrasts this beautifully with the colours and the life that bursts out of the slums.
Here is a movie that is both harrowing and touching whilst bring India to life, an absolute must see.
The film went on to dominate the Oscar taking home Best Picture and Best Director for Boyle.
- Pretty Woman
The role of Vivian shot Julia Roberts to superstardom practically overnight in romantic comedy Pretty Woman.
This movie is a common fable about looking beneath the surface of every individual and judging them on first appearances.
The movie was a massive hit when it was released back in 1990, yes it was almost twenty years ago, and remains one of the most financially successful movies in the romantic comedy genre.
And while the story was possibly a little far fetched; businessman hires heart of gold prostitute Vivian for the weekend falling in love with her along the way allowing her to leave her difficult life behind.
Other great rags to riches movies include Annie, Oliver, My Fair Lady and of course Aladdin.
The Blind Side is released 26th March.
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw
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