However painful the cliché, it must be said: The Blind Side blind-sighted me. It is such a touching story (and features one of my favourite actresses) that I haven’t yet been able to watch it without crying. I completely randomly thought about it just as I was about to start working on this post and wondered if Maeve had seen it and if so, what she had to say about it. The answer: yes she has seen it, and what she had to say about it is the focus of this month’s Maeve’s Monthly Movie Review feature.
The Blind Side — Love & Charity
Film:
The Blind Side, 2009
Starring Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Kathy Bates, and Quinton Aaron.
Synopsis:
The story of Michael Oher, an homeless and traumatized boy who became an All American football player and first round NFL draft pick with the help of a caring woman and her family.
My Thoughts:
What makes this movie so amazing is that it is based on a true story. It is a story of what happens when people actually choose to live out their religious beliefs, when they take action. So often we see news of religious conflict, but it is really comforting to see when religion can be a source of inspiration for people to commit amazing acts of kindness and love beyond expectations.
This story began when a Christian private school was counseled to live up to the name Christian and help the struggling, homeless Michael Oher to attend.
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. ~ James 2:14-17
Leigh Ann Touhy and her family took it to the next level when they took Michael Oher in, fed him, clothed him, and helped him to succeed. And in doing so they learned to better appreciate the luxury they had taken for granted, as well as time with each other as a family, which prior to meeting Michael they had not.
O SON OF MY HANDMAID! Guidance hath ever been given by words, and now it is given by deeds. Every one must show forth deeds that are pure and holy, for words are the property of all alike, whereas such deeds as these belong only to Our loved ones. Strive then with heart and soul to distinguish yourselves by your deeds. In this wise We counsel you in this holy and resplendent tablet. ~ Bahá’u’lláh
What Michael went through many more people in society go through then we would care to admit. But unlike Michael often these people do not receive a helping hand. Instead those in healthy, wealthy communities isolate themselves. How can we as a society work to eradicate poverty, to provide opportunities for all? How can we overcome our fears? Especially when they are legitimate, like living in a place of violence.
Read the rest of Maeve’s Review here.