THE BLIND SIDE

(CCC, BBB, CapCapCap, Ab, L, V, S, DD, M) Very strong Christian, moral worldview with very strong pro-capitalist values where characters pray and take actions to help an older teenager prompted by their Christian faith, including help him achieve and reach college, plus minor character expresses doubts about religion; two light obscenities, no profanities, two racial slurs, and discussion of male genitalia; man threatens with gun, man shoves another man, close up of football tackles, and car accident with some minor blood stains on shirt; married couple in bed together kiss and light discussion of sex in two scenes, including scene where mean thug makes euphemistic sexual insinuations about teenager’s adoptive mother and sister; no nudity; no alcohol; no smoking and discussion of drug use by biological mom of main character, who is sent into foster care because of mom’s addiction; and, lying.

THE BLIND SIDE is a compelling, feel great drama that tells the true story of Michael Oher, a homeless young black teenager who is welcomed into a wealthy white Christian family. Though there are minor elements requiring caution, this wonderful drama is a faith filled, truly inspiring movie with overt Christian values.

THE BLIND SIDE is a compelling, feel great drama that tells the true story of Michael Oher, a homeless young man who is welcomed into a Christian family. Michael went into foster care because his mom could not care for him because of her drug addiction. Michael, now a senior in high school, ends up literally living on the street with no possessions and no real hope.

Leigh Anne, a wealthy mom, discovers Michael and gives him a place to stay for one night. That one night becomes many, and Michael moves in with Leigh Anne and her family. They put Michael in an upscale private Christian high school. At first, the school is reluctant to take Michael in because of his poor academic record. However, the coach reminds them that they are a Christian school and need to look out for young men like Michael, or they need to paint over the Christian part of their name.

Michael slowly learns to trust Leigh Anne, and her family embraces him. Michael, who is typically quiet and withdrawn, very slowly begins to open up to them and even starts to smile.

When Michael’s grades improve, he joins the football team. Being a very large young man, Michael is given the job of blocking for the quarterback. At first Michael, who’s never played football before, is not aggressive enough. In fact, it turns out that the coach was hoping that a boy from “the streets” would be violent.

However, Leigh Anne understands Michael and remembers that he had scored high on “protectiveness” on a school test. She helps Michael see that protecting the quarterback is like protecting her or protecting the family.

This change in perspective turns Michael into a star player. As the season progresses, colleges begin to recruit Michael. Soon he’s off to Leigh Anne and her husband’s alma mater, but the NCAA suddenly is accusing them of conflict of interest.

THE BLIND SIDE is an excellent, uplifting movie with fine storytelling. It is a small movie with conflicts that hit home but are not earth shaking. In fact, the subtle conflict is maybe the movie’s biggest flaw.

Sandra Bullock is convincing as a Southern woman who wants to help others amidst her socialite friends who don’t understand why a white, wealthy family would take in a homeless black boy. Quinton Aaron plays Michael and gives a very subtle performance of a character who speaks very little.

The directing in THE BLIND SIDE is very surefooted. Also, the story never lags and carries profound emotional depth.

There is a very strong message of Christian faith in THE BLIND SIDE. It’s very clear that Leigh Anne helps Michael because she is a Christian and thinks it’s the right thing to do. They pray around the table and speak freely about their faith. The biblical admonition to care for orphans is lived out by this family.

There is some content that requires discernment. The tutor who is hired to work with Michael says she has doubts about religion. Later, she lies to convince him to go to a certain school. There is some talk concerning sexual relations and male private parts. There is one scene when Michael returns to his old neighborhood and gets into a fight as well as a car crash, but no one is hurt.

All in all, the message of faith and hope in THE BLIND SIDE is very clear, and the drama is terrifically poignant.

THE BLIND SIDE is a compelling, feel great drama that tells the true story of Michael Oher, a homeless young man who is welcomed into a Christian family. Leigh Anne discovers Michael and takes him in, putting him in a private Christian high school. As Michael slowly learns to trust Leigh Anne, he joins the football team, and it’s a matter of time before he becomes a star player. Soon, college recruiters are calling.

THE BLIND SIDE is an excellent movie with fine storytelling and great performances. It is a small movie with conflicts that hit home but are not earth shaking. In fact, the subtle conflict may be the movie’s biggest flaw. THE BLIND SIDE contains a very strong message of Christian faith. It’s very clear that Leigh Anne helps Michael because she is a Christian. They pray around the table and speak freely about their faith. However, a tutor says that she has doubts about religion. There is some talk concerning sexual relations and male private parts. And, there is one scene with a fist fight. But, the message of faith is very clear, and the drama is incredibly moving.