I Got Your Back
The Blind Side
Review by Ross Anthony

This is a sweet story that just happens to be true. A story of success from gritty beginnings. Filmmakers bring it to the screen in a warm and entertaining way. I laughed, I cried, I rooted a young Michael Oher onward. It solidly deserves the A- I'm going to give it, but there a few hiccups.

Bothersome product placement leaves some scars. While the fast food plug flowed within the picture, the book store references and even books did not. Those felt injected afterwards (perhaps after the book store got on board, that I don't know). I found them embarrassing and counter to the tone.

The NCAA investigator scene also felt forced. My guess is this investigator was not a real person, but rather a personification of a collective dark cloud Leigh Anne felt over her head. In any case, I could have done without it.

Essentially, it's a hollywoody realization of a great real life triumph. But the picture does have it's nail hard moments, and some tight football sequences. Each scene takes its time, finds its own rhythm and goes for the heart. Nicely directed, acted and edited, on the whole.

Sandra Bullock says of her lead character, "How can you explain that kind of energy? By the end of one day with Leigh Anne, I was exhausted. She manages to do what she wants to do in the manner she wants to do it."


  • The Blind Side. Copyright © 2009.
  • Starring: Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Kathy Bates, Quinton Aaron. Directed by John Lee Hancock. Screenplay by John Lee Hancock. Produced by Gil Netter, Broderick Johnson, Andrew Kosove at Warner Bros.

Grade..........................A- (3/4)

-- Books by Author/Illustrator Ross Anthony --


chili4 special olympians
power5 ra hforh radiop
Copyright © 1998-2023 Ross Anthony, Author - Speaker - Solo World Circumnavigator In addition to reviewing films and interviewing celebs at HollywoodReportCard.com, traveling the world, composing great music, motivational speaking, Mr. Anthony also runs his own publishing company in the Los Angeles area. While traversing the circumference of the planet writing books and shooting documentaries, Mr. Anthony has taught, presented for, worked &/or played with locals in over 30 countries & 100 cities (Nairobi to Nagasaki). He's bungee-jumped from a bridge near Victoria Falls, wrestled with lions in Zimbabwe, crashed a Vespa off a high mountain road in Taiwan, and ridden a dirt bike across the States (Washington State to Washington DC). To get signed books ("Rodney Appleseed" to "Jinshirou") or schedule Ross to speak check out: www.RossAnthony.com or call 1-800-767-7186. Go into the world and inspire the people you meet with your love, kindness, and whatever it is you're really good at. Check out books by Ross Anthony. Rand() functions, Pho chicken soup, rollerblading, and frozen yogurt (w/ blueberries) also rock! (Btw, rand is short for random. It can also stand for "Really Awkward Nutty Dinosaurs" -- which is quite rand, isn't it?) Being alive is the miracle. Special thanks to Ken Kocanda, HAL, Jodie Keszek, Don Haderlein, Mom and Pops, my family, R. Foss, and many others by Ross Anthony. Galati-FE also deserves a shout out. And thanks to all of you for your interest and optimism. Enjoy great films, read stirring novels, grow.


Last Modified: Friday, 20-Nov-2009 08:41:25 PST