Modern cinema today is often praised for its non-standard plot, outstanding acting, soundtracks, costumes and unusual camera angles. And they say very little about the idea of the film, that promise that it should carry to the masses. Sometimes it happens that there is no deep philosophical connotation in the picture - it’s just entertainment, a bright and colorful attraction that does not carry any meaning.
The film "The Invisible Side", according to viewers, is noticeably knocked out of the general series of entertaining films. He is very kind, positive, with a barely noticeable touch of sadness and without annoying chernukha.
Book
The plot of the film “The Invisible Side” is based on the novel by Michael Lewis. The author has written 13 books, some of them have become bestsellers - this is “Liar Poker” and “Big game for a drop. Secret Springs of Financial Disaster. ” The latest work was filmed in 2015 under the title "The game for a fall."
In the original, the book is called The blind side: Evolution of a Game, that is, "Blind Zone: The Evolution of the Game." In the work, there are two parallel storylines: in one, the writer studies how the game strategy in American football has changed, and in the other, he describes the fate of Michael Oer. He was adopted by a former classmate of Michael Lewis and his wife - these are Lee Ann and Sean Thuy.
Michael Oer was an almost ordinary black guy, but he was not at home, his father died, and his mother was caught using drugs. At the same time, Michael at his 15 years old was about 2 meters tall and weighed more than 100 kg.
It should be noted here that the Tui family are millionaires. They have a large restaurant chain, so a promising teenager got the best teachers to tighten grades, and many other privileges. As a result, Big Mike became a football star: first he played for the team of the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), where he entered on a budget basis, then for the Baltimore Ravens.
From the book The blind side: Evolution of a Game, only the second storyline for the film adaptation was taken. So all the audience in the world saw the story of the Big Mike.
Plot
The film tells about the most difficult period in the life of Michael Oer. He is a homeless, huge teenager who does not even have replaceable clothes. Lee Ann Thuy accidentally saw him and decided to help him. As a result, everything goes much further than 1-2 nights on a couch in a strange house: the Tui family takes Michael into custody and helps him find his place in life.
According to reviews, the film The Invisible Side is very touching: viewers praised the story of how a very wealthy white family takes responsibility for a black teenager, despite all the stereotypes and social stratification of society. If the picture was not based on real events, it would cause distrust, since the plot is too implausible. But since Michael Auer is a very real person, the film is truly admired.
The Invisible Side: Actors and Roles
Quinton Aaron played Michael Oer. And to date, the role of the Big Mike has remained the most notable work of the actor in the cinema. He starred before this picture, and after in various films and series, such as Law and Order, One Tree Hill, Monica (2014), California (2018), but for the most part on the sidelines. Quinton Aaron’s other notable role is in The Left. In addition to acting, Aaron produces major projects and writes scripts.
Lee Ann Thuy played in the movie The Invisible Side by Sandra Bullock. She doesn’t need an introduction, viewers all over the world remember her well in the films Speed, While You Slept, the disastrous action movie Speed 2, the recently released Gravity, and the very recent film Ocean’s Eight Friends.
The role of Sean Tui received the American singer Tim McGraw. Also in the picture starred Katie Bates, Catherine Dyer, Jay Head and Lily Collins.
Awards
The film “The Invisible Side” (2009) was awarded several major awards: Oscar figurines and the prestigious Golden Globe - Sandra Bullock received the best female role. Also, the actress was named the best 4 more different film industry organizations in the United States.
For the main award - "Oscar" for the best film - the tape was only nominated. The prize went to the “Lord of the Storm”, but it should be noted that there were other serious rivals - “Avatar” and the cartoon “Up”.
Fees
With a modest budget of $ 29 million, worldwide fees totaled more than $ 300 million. Interestingly, Sandra Bullock deliberately refused part of the fee, replacing it with a percentage of the fees. And in the end, she was right.
So for the actress, the film “The Invisible Side” (2009) was perhaps the best in her entire career. Even for Gravity, Sandra Bullock was only nominated for an Oscar and Golden Globe.
Reviews
Reviews of the film The Invisible Side are not just good, they are great. Both viewers and critics are not shy about praising the tape for everything: for a good plot, excellent actors and especially unexpectedly blonde Sandra Bullock, a lot of warm and touching moments and a positive message. The movie is well suited for viewing together with teenage children (12+): it’s not a fact that they will like the tape very much, but it will make them think about a little more serious things.
But in the reviews of the film “The Invisible Side” there is a bit of negativity. Cynics deemed it too “sugar and vanilla”, even though it was shot on real events. Someone was ruffled by the theme of racism and social inequality, which today is almost forcibly pushed into every American film. But, in truth, this tape most adequately reflected the theme of racism, since it does not have murders, fights, sexual violence and other chernukha. The Invisible Side is a calm, measured drama based on real events with a small dose of healthy humor.
A separate category of viewers drew contempt not of the film itself, but of real people. According to them, Lee Ann and Sean Tui, being very religious themselves, sent Michael to study in a Christian school. And he entered the University of Mississippi only at the insistence of his adoptive parents, since many members of their family studied in him, although he had the opportunity to choose. It is not clear what they saw a self-serving attitude: Michael Oer himself repeatedly said that this was his personal decision. And although he accepted it largely because of a desire to get closer to his foster parents even more, there was nothing to blame him and them.
Interesting Facts
A few interesting facts, presented below, may cause the viewer to want to see the amazing film “The Invisible Side” based on real events:
- Lee Ann Thuy was supposed to play Julia Roberts, but she was not interested in the role.
- Sandra Bullock agreed to shoot after a personal acquaintance with the Tui family.
- Quinton Aaron in order to get used to the role of Big Mike, for some time he trained with the football team.
- In the crowd of the film, real schoolchildren starred.
- The film starred several real coaches of student football teams - in the role of themselves.
- The year the film was released, June 30, 2009, Michael Auer signed a contract with Baltimore Ravens for 5 years with a total of $ 13.8 million.
- In 2014, Michael joined the Tennessee Titans team, but in December, due to a leg injury, he had to transfer to the reserve.