The Blind Side Persuasive Essay

The Blind Side Identify the title, text type, composer and year of publication * ‘The Blind Side’ is a film composed by John Lee Hancock (2009) Identify the context in which your ORT has been set and they key ideas related to the concept of belonging which are represented. * The blind Side was created based on the 2006 book ‘The Blind Side: Evolution of a game”. The film was set in Memphis, in various environments such as A Christian School, the Tuohy’s household and other areas.

This film explores the life of the main character, , and his journey from a sense of dislocation and alienation from those around him, to feeling acceptance and a sense of self identity towards himself. Aspects of belonging explored in this film include the relationships that are developed throughout the film which create for Michael a sense of identity, acceptance, understanding, and the potential for Michael to take a further journey in his life. The connections that Michael develops with Leigh Anne Tuohy are the catalyst for the noticeable change that Michael experiences in relation to feeling a sense of inclusion.

Outline at least FOUR key ideas about belonging which are represented in your ORT. * The background experiences within his family, he is one of 7 and doesn’t know his father, while his mum is a drug addict. * The journey to a new environment, connections made with people and the place. * The acceptance of Michael and being welcomed into the Tuohy’s household. * Never judge a book by the cover- Leigh Anne Tuohy accepts Michael for who he is, not what he looks like. * From this Film, we understand a new meaning to helping those who are less fortunate, its that can have a large impact on the individual.

Discuss how the composer has used a variety of language modes, forms, features and structures to represent these key ideas? (At least 12 PEEL or TQE for each) FILM TECHNIQUES * Opening sequence- Shows a playback of Lawrence Taylor snapping Jo Thiemann’s leg in 1985. Leigh Anne Tuohy narrates this scene with the voice over narration and she talks about the importance of the tackle position in football to the moulding of Michael Oher and his astounding protective instincts. The long slow motion shot of Michael Oher introduces Michael to the story, with his town home within the background of the shot. The effect of Flashbacks at the moment when Michael was separated from his mother is to give a short insight as to what Michael Oher had experienced. * On Michael’s journey to the new Christian School that will eventually become a second home for Michael there is a panning shot of Michael in the back seat of the car. Visually we can see that Michael’s body language is conveying a sense of shyness, worry and alienation, as if Michael was in a completely different world.

This shot also displays the new opportunity that is about to infold for Michael- new place and new opportunity. * The close up shot of Michael observing the ‘new world’ clearly conveys the curiosity and separation form the new town that surrounds him. * Dialogue- “It’s a brave kid”. “For wanting to come here. ” “For wanting a quality education”. “I can tell you most young lads with his background wouldn’t come within 200 miles of this place”. The teachers within the Christian School discuss Michaels want to start an education.

The teachers state that ‘Most’ young lads with his background…”, would not be interested in aiming to achieve something. The automatically judge Michael without knowing who he is as a person. * The use of shot reverse shot of the teacher and Michael whilst in the classroom displays Michael’s unsureness of the new school life and feeling of exclusion from the other children, as well as showing the teachers look of concern and her determination to help Michael. The Film includes a lot of close up shots, in order to convey emotions such as sadness and joy. John Lee Hancock includes close up shots within the film to purposely emphasize the range of emotions that the characters experience, so that it can allow the audience to relate to the position that the characters are in and to help them achieve a re-evaluation of their values, attitudes and beliefs.

Discuss similarities between the text “The simple Gift” composed by Steven Herrick and the film “The Blind Side” composed by John Lee Hancock. * The relationship that develops between Billy and Old Bill is one that is similar to the relationship between Leigh Anne Tuohy and Michael Oher. To Old Bill, he views Billy as a son and treats him the way that he would treat his own. Leigh Anne Tuohy eventually adopts Michael Oher and the relationship that is developed is one similar to mother and son. Both Billy and Michael both come from a disconnected family in they both had no relationship with their father. Billy and Michael both have experienced a bad lifestyle but then they both start a new journey to a new life, in which they both successfully achieve. Once they have made this journey, a new sense of self identity, acceptance and inclusion is felt strongly and the audience of both stories effectively motivate us to change or re-evaluate our own values, attitudes and beliefs.

While this this “rags to riches” storyline isn’t new in the world of Hollywood, it definitely redefines values that have somewhat been lost in our 21st century society. This film is based on the true story of Michael Oher, who was featured in Michael Lewis’ book The Blind Side: Evolution of the Game. While the screenwriter of The Blind Side, John Lee Hancock, probably took some artistic liberty to make these factual events more heart stirring, whatever the changes may have been, I believe that The Blind Side still remains true to the reality.

After watching the preview, you already know what is going to happen in the movie; however, the movie truly brings to life Michael Oher’s story and goes into depth to show the relationship between Oher and the Touhys. The opening scene of Blind Side shows a playback of Lawrence Taylor snapping Joe Theismann’s leg in 1985. Leigh Anne Touhy, played by Sandra Bullock, narrates this scene as she talks about the importance of the tackle position in football to the molding of Michael Oher and his astounding protective instincts.

Oher was born to a drug-addicted mother, he had over a dozen siblings and was homeless for years. The Touhy’s took Michael Oher, who is played by Quinton Aaron, under their wings and helped him grow into an incredible athlete. For me, there were two incredibly moving scenes. The first was the when Oher told Mrs. Touhy he’s never had his own bed before and the second was when Oher called Mrs. Touhy “Momma” for the first time. At the closing credits, newspaper accounts of young men from Oher’s part of Memphis that were killed by gang violence were flashed on the screen.

There are so many people in this world that are like Michael Oher before he joined the Touhy family. Where might Micheal Oher be today without the help of the Touhys? So, even though you already know how the story ends, The Blind Side is still worth seeing for both the exceptional acting and the moving story of Michael Oher’s life. Not only is it just the story of Oher’s life though, but it is also a thought-provoking movie that shows that there is still goodwill in this world despite the violence and hatred we see every day.