Movie

The Blind Side

Name: The Blind Side
Released: 2009

2009 • Biography, Drama, Sport

Woke Score

3.4

out of 10

Plot

Based on the true story of Leigh Anne Tuohy and Sean Tuohy who take in a homeless teenage African-American, Michael Oher. Michael has no idea who his father is and his mother is a drug addict. Michael has had little formal education and few skills to help him learn. Leigh Anne soon takes charge however, as is her nature, ensuring that the young man has every opportunity to succeed. When he expresses an interest in football, she goes all out to help him, including giving the coach a few ideas on how best to use Michael's skills. They not only provide him with a loving home, but hire a tutor to help him improve his grades to the point where he would qualify for an NCAA Division I athletic scholarship. Michael Oher was the first-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens in the 2009 NFL draft.

Overall Series Review

The film’s central narrative, while heartwarming on the surface as a story of charity and family, is structurally dependent on the most criticized form of Identity Politics: the White Savior trope. The entire plot is predicated on a wealthy white family uplifting a poor, Black male who is portrayed as lacking agency, social skills, and academic intelligence until the family's intervention. The film is fundamentally built on race and class disparities to create its dramatic tension. Conversely, the movie strongly celebrates traditional Western institutions like the nuclear family, Christian faith, and the virtues of personal charity and meritocracy (via sports success), which pushes the scores in those categories firmly to the low end. Leigh Anne Tuohy is the undisputed 'Girl Boss' driver of the story, but her energy is dedicated to family and protective motherhood, not an anti-natal careerism. The lack of any LGBTQ+ or anti-theistic messaging makes this a very low-scoring film in those areas, keeping the overall score moderate despite the high rating for its race-centric, White Savior dynamic.

Categorical Breakdown

Identity Politics7/10

The plot's engine is the dependency of the Black protagonist on the intervention of a wealthy white family for his success, fitting the 'White Savior' narrative. The depiction of the African-American community from Michael's past is often reduced to negative stereotypes (drug addiction, violence, poverty) in contrast to the virtuous white family. The story focuses on race, class, and privilege as the central mechanism for conflict and resolution.

Oikophobia2/10

The film positively portrays core Western institutions. The wealthy, Christian, suburban American family unit and their home are framed as a protective, charitable, and functional bulwark against the chaos of the inner city. The narrative celebrates the family's success and generosity, showing gratitude for their ability to provide stability.

Feminism6/10

Leigh Anne Tuohy is depicted as an 'irrepressible driving force' who is constantly in charge, taking control of every situation from coaching tactics to confronting drug dealers. Her husband often plays a secondary or comedic role, establishing a clear 'Girl Boss' trope. However, this strength is applied toward protective, nurturing family goals, not anti-natal or career-first ideals.

LGBTQ+1/10

The film adheres strictly to a normative structure, centering the married, male-female nuclear family as the positive and life-saving force for the protagonist. No alternative sexualities are centered, and there is no discussion or promotion of gender or sexual ideology.

Anti-Theism1/10

Christianity is a major and positive theme, with the Tuohys established as devout Christians whose faith motivates their charitable actions. The school Michael attends is a Christian school. The film portrays faith as a clear source of transcendent morality, rather than a root of evil.