olemissrebels

I was able to go to a special screening of The Blind Side last night and it is an amazing movie of an even more amazing story. The story deals with how the borderline illiterate Michael Oher and the uber well-to-do Touhy Family meet and become a family. Something that I think has been overlooked in a lot of the press is what can happen when a teacher is able to adapt his or her methods to meet the abilities of the student.  It is a sports movie in much the same way that Jerry McGuire was a sports movie (sans locker room scenes). For those familiar with SEC Football, many of the cameos are quite familiar.

Not to give too much way, but it deals with what makes a family and how love can overcome a lot, especially prejudice and social norms.

One warning, this may not be your movie:

if you like Tennessee and don’t like Ole Miss…

if you like either of the MSU’s: Memphis State or Miss State. The  former is never mentioned even thought the movie is set in Memphis and the latter is only alluded to in the 31-0 shellacking in Eli’s last Egg Bowl in 2003 and a picture of Oher holding last year’s Egg Bowl Trophy after the 45-0 outcome.

I thought Ole Miss was featured a lot in the trailer, it’s nothing compared to the actual movie. Its not “rah, rah” Ole Miss, but an accurate protrayal of how ingrained (word choice?) university loyalties are  Southern households… cups with logos to shirts to Christmas decorations. Ole Miss is “just” the benefactor.

My favorite line (and no it won’t give anything away) is “Who would have guessed that we would have a black son before we knew a Democrat?”

Its feel good without being sappy. It is emotional however.