Part of ongoing series: Hollywood and Higher Education: Teaching Worldview Thru the Stories We Live By (See also, The Future of Faith-Based Filmmaking)
The Blind Side is not so much the story of a Christian family who transformed the life of a homeless teenager as much as it is the story of a homeless teenager who transformed the faith of a Christian family
by Gary David Stratton • Senior Editor
“Wow, I’ve finally met someone who practices but doesn’t preach.” —Sandra Bullock, speaking of Leigh Anne Tuohy, whom Bullock portrayed in her first Oscar-winning performance
In the aftermath of the runaway success of The Blind Side, Hollywood has become more open to Christians’ stories. I don’t mean “Christian” stories, but rather human stories about Christians whose faith has been an element in their facing universal human struggles.
The Blind Side was unlike anything normally accepted by the Church as a “Christian Film.” It is neither an evangelistic message about Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock) witnessing about her faith, nor Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron) coming to faith, nor a missionary appeal for how Christian families should adopt disadvantaged youth, nor a white-washed tale about perfect Christians, living perfect lives, with perfect motives, and everything turning out perfectly.
O, the Humanity!
Sandra Bullock as the highly flawed and genuinely Christian, Leigh Anne Tuohy.
Instead, it is a very human story about a very human woman whose Christian faith informed and motivated a series of radical decisions that transformed her life, her family, and the young man they adopted. The story is not about her faith, but her faith is clearly part of the story.
This approach works only because The Blind Side wasn’t made like a typical “Christian film.” Although director John Lee Hancock describes himself as a Christian and there are a number of other talented Christians working at Alcon Entertainment who helped guide the project, Hancock made The Blind Side because he thought the story the Tuohys lived was so compelling. Period!
“The fact that the Tuohys are Christians played absolutely no part in me doing it or not doing it…. I mean, let’s be honest, it’s an incredibly charitable act that yields rewards for this family. It would have been an also amazingly charitable act had the Tuohys been atheists. A good deed is a good deed… I thought it was a great story.”
Hancock goes on to explain: “I think that if I set out to do stories based on that (Christianity or even inspiration) then it will probably be like the cart leading the horse… You set out to tell a good story. You don’t do it because there is a deep message involved because the movie is almost always bad when you do that…”[1]
The Future of “Christian” Filmmaking
Michael Oher is a most unlikely hero in the most unlikely “Christian” film in recent memory.
It is the very humanness of the film that makes it so approachable. Leigh Anne Tuohy is a flawed individual. She is a stubborn control freak, still struggling to stay in control even in the very last scene of the movie. Yet when motivated by her Christian faith Leigh Anne’s flaws propel her to make decisions that few other women would even consider. Her character is complicated (which is why Sandra Bullock won an Academy Award for portraying her), and therefore very compelling. We like her precisely because she represents our highest aspirations and our worst self-sabotaging realities.
Hancock’s approach points toward a compelling future for “Christian” filmmaking in Hollywood — If you live it, they will come (to the theater, that is). Audiences don’t want to watch “Christian” films. They want to see good films about good stories. Compelling stories about real life human beings who overcome tremendous obstacles and who are transformed into better human beings in the process. (See, Casablanca and the Four Levels of Worldview. Crash Goes the Worldview.)
If the story happens to be about someone whose faith informed and motivated their journey then who’s to argue? Their story earned them the right to let their faith be part of the film. (And opened up the “plausibility structure” for audiences accepting that not all Christians are the preachy, bigoted hypocrites so often portrayed by the media.)
In the end, The Blind Side isn’t so much the story of a Christian family who transformed the life of a homeless teenager so much as it is the story of a homeless teenager who transformed the faith of a Christian family: all because one woman made the radical decision to actually live out her faith.
As Sandra Bullock opined about Leigh Anne and the Tuohy family:
“[S]he has no idea the path she’s begun, in terms of adoption and fostering. It’s not been on the forefront of people’s minds. It is on the forefront of my mind every day now when I get up. When I look around I go, ‘Is he, is she, what is their situation?’ And it’s because of this family, and I think what they are going to do for our country in terms of being aware of that is – I don’t think they realize the profound affect that they are going to have…. [Y]ou see this family, they were themselves for no other benefit other than because they wanted to reach out, lend a hand, and had no idea that they would get a son in return… I said, ‘Wow, I’ve finally met someone who practices but doesn’t preach.’ ” (Italics mine.)[2]
In other words, if Christians actually lived better stories then we might have a litany of heroic stories to draw upon and films to make that real people in real theaters actually want to see and A-list actors want to play. Stories about men and women (and teenagers) whose faith motivated and informed their choices to live remarkable lives by making remarkable decisions and overcome remarkable obstacles.
Living a Better Story
If more Christians actually lived compelling stories then we might have a litany of heroic movies.
Every believer (and not just filmmakers) ought to be asking themselves ‘Am I living the kind of story that, in Donald Miller’s words, “leaves a beautiful feeling even as the credits role”? As Miller discovered in writing his book subtitled How I Learned to Live a Better Story, few Christians are living stories that come remotely close to living out the full implications of their faith.
What story are we writing with our lives? Leigh Anne Tuohy’s story is deeply heroic precisely because her faith motivated her to take action toward the will of God being done on earth as it is in heaven. Will we?
Heaven is looking for heroic stories even more than Hollywood. Will this generation overwhelm the world with stories of very human Christ followers whose faith motivates and informs the heroic lives they live? The world is watching…
If you live it, they will come!
Next post in series: Current Films by Act One Graduates Reveal Strange Dichotomy in Box Office Mojo’s ‘Christian Movie’ Category, by Gary David Stratton
See Also:
Conversations On The Blind Side – Sandra Bullock and Leigh Anne Tuohy Go One-On-One, by Rebecca Murray
Michael Oher and Tuohy Family Celebrate Super Bowl Victory (ABC)
Hollywood and Higher Education, by Gary David Stratton
Why Story Structure Matters: Even if you don’t want it to, by Christopher Riley
Opening Doors for Others: An Interview with Writer-Director Brian Bird, by Gary David Stratton
Christians in Hollywood: A Mission Impossible Writer Offers a Treatment, by Ron Austin
Notes:
[1] Interview: ‘The Blind Side’ Director John Lee Hancock, Michelle A. Vu [2] Bullock Quotations from: Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw Discuss ‘The Blind Side’ By Rebecca Murray
I loved that movie. The message was loud and clear and it takes someone special to take in someone off the street. How many of us today would take someone in they saw walking down the street such as a homeless person? Many of us would turn our heads. It makes me so happy that a movie like this was showed in the theater about a human story of a human woman whose Christian faith motivated her to make the decisions she did that transformed her life, her family and the young man they adopted. This movie made me stop and think about all the young people in our world that need someone to love them and show they care. I asked myself, Lord are you telling me to get involved with a program such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters.
Hi Linda,
It would be a blessing to be that person who will do such a thing. Transforming a person's life strengthens our faith as Christians. Stepping out of our comfort zone and doing things that are right in the sight of our Creator changes the worldview on how others see things. The difference that it would make in a person's life will be the key.
You'd be such a gret Big Sister! I agree that it's easy for us to turn our heads on people that need our help. We all just easily pass by and go about our selfish lives. It's easy for us to sleep in our comfortable beds, stop at the coffee shop for our regular coffee treat, and shop easily and readily for any groceries we need. We need to stop and think a lot more about how we can sacrifice our time and resources to give to others.
I would encourage you to do that you would be suprised on how little of your time could make a huge impact in a childs life.
This story is an amazing story and a good example of how a worldview can change. My favorite part was when Leighann was having lunch with her friends and their bias was quite obvious and they were asking questions like aren't you afraid for your daughter or what would your father say, and Leighann (Sandra) said it was her that changed and walked out.
Hey Deb, your old Cohort buddy Amy here. Love to read your thoughts again after all this time.
Yes I agree, both lunch scenes play into the change everyone was going through. It is hard to listen to people who are Blind sided and hard not to listen when they are your world view. I think it is important to keep our worldview rooted in Christ and the Bible and letting the church be a buffer for some of our judgments and concerns.
My brother is a big brother to an 11 year – old boy and he truly loves it. He told me that doing this makes him feel good about life. Anyway, this movie is a great eye-opener to all of us and definitely affected my worldview.
I think we all need to come to a place in our relationship with God and ask of Him what and how he would like to use us as an instrument for HIm. I believe if we ask Him he will tell or show us what and where he can use us. We just have to be open to hearing Him and trusting in Him. When we are intune with God he hears us and will open many doors for us to help and make a difference in the lives of others. I think as Christians we are all agents put on this earth to help recruit others to Christ through our acts of kindness.
Linda,
Nice to see your name again. This is Amy and I too am glad that this movie turned out for a selection in Red Box. It is a great example for our youth and people who do not know how to start to get involved with people with real problems and suffering and can witness it through this families story of great courage and faith. I did not know this was a true story until half way through movie. I just loved it and am a big cheerleader for any movies today that have a faith based reaction to grief and suffering in this world leaving it all up to our wonderful creator God.
Call your parents if you are so lucky to still have them amoungst us, not because you need anything, but just "because" you want to hear their voice. Help a neighbor if they need it. Walk your dog instead of letting him outside on his own. There is so much we can do to help othersthat does not require any financial output which will ultimately help ourselves. We have the inate ability to love, how lucky are we!
Hi Jeannie,
Some kids just don't realize how blessed they are to have parents who care for them. Eventhough the kid (Micheal) was in and out of foster homes, he would always leave to find his mom. He really loved her. But because of her lifestyle, she could not take care of him; there was a bond between them. Again, as Christians we should always be ready with open arms to be there for someone when nobody else can. If we are doing it for the right reasons, God will always come through. The grace of God will empower us to do all things.
Hi Jeannie,
My wife and I stop and pick up an elderly couple and take them to church. They are very good friends of ours. We appreciate each others company and fellowship. Claire can no longer see well enough to drive. Mary does not drive either. So every Sunday we see to it they get to church. We also take them shopping and hang out together. Our relationship doesn't cost us a dime. It is priceless. Mary insists on treating us like one of her kids and I call he Mom. Love is a gift from God.
The Tuohy's have lived a life that most would like to be able to call their own. Many people will also say that they cannot help others because they are not "wealthy" from a financial standpoint. Dollars have very little to do with helping others. Listening is one of the biggests gifts that one can give another. Validate someone and let them know you like them for who they are, not who you want them to be. Have dinner together as a family, sit at the table and let your kids know they are worth making a dinner and sitting at the table for. What they have to say is so much more important than anything one would watch at dinner time.
I like this very much Jeannie! I am a firm believer in that the little things in life count, because they really aren't as little as we think. Basic genuine kindness goes a long way!
I like your statement that money have very little to do with helping others. This is definitely true but sadly we often feel that only the weathly should help out the poor. I also like your list of many ways of reaching out.
Excellent point Jeannie! We often hold ourselves back by excusing our non-action away with reasons like lack of money or time. If God has put a passion in your heart I truly believe that He will supply your every need. Just go for it and see what happens! 🙂
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This should be the same no matter if its a faith based film or a just a normal film…
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I completely agree! I'm just trying to get people OUTSIDE of Hollywood to understand what is going on and why it is important to support films that don't 'preach the gospel' and have an altar call at the end. Whoever tells the best stories shapes the world!
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Read it up till almost your semi-review (you didn't post any spoilers)… one of the things that I was struggling with on the script I'm currently in my rewrites on… just kidding but you should have posted this a month or two ago… when I finally decided to write the film I wanted to write instead of trying to please a certain audience… this would be my second faith based script… but on this one… didn't want to preach to the choir…
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I've found that if you preach to the choir, not even the choir listens very carefully–they've heard it all before. I would say, don't EVER write a "faith-based' screenplay. Be a faith-centered screenwriter and then write the very best stories you can find. Your faith will guide and inform your screenwriting in ways you could never imagine.. if you don't force it.