Movie Discussion

Guide
THE BLIND SIDE
This movie is based on the true story of Michael Oher, offensive tackle for the Baltimore
Ravens. As a homeless
teenager, Michael was invited into the lives and hearts of the Tuohy family and had his life
completely changed forever.

Discussion Questions:
What themes and important messages did you find in the movie?
The themes I thought was showed in this movie were; kindness, compassion, love, respect
etc. An important message was that one should never judge another by their outer
appearances but rather get to know them first before judging. Just like Mrs. Tuohy took in a
random stranger and showed big mike kindness, love, and respected him very much, big
mike also learned to forgive and respect. The most important message was to show others
kindness and never to judge one by their outer appearances.
Why do you think this movie is called The Blind Side?
I think this movie is called the blind side because of the fact everyone who has watched this
movie and for those were playing a role in the movie had a blind side and underestimated
big mike and always looked down on him. The fact that there is the word blind makes us
think that no one should ever judge a person by the persons appearances or what they look
on the outside.
Beyond the help of the Tuohy family, what do you think was the difference between
Michael Oher and his friends in Hurt Village (i.e. Dave)? What may have prevented them
from finding a way out?
The difference was that Michael was never into the drugs and drinking life. He didnt join
their gang just like others did. They didnt care for showing up in school unlike Michael whom
at least showed up to school. Michael was kind hearted from the beginning who just needed
a hand to start off a new life. Thanks to the tuohys family he was able to get out of a place
like that where he never belonged and start a new life.

Would you be willing to take in a complete stranger as the Tuohys did with Michael Oher?
What are the rewards of helping someone in that way? What could be the challenges?
Personally I wouldnt have to guts to do that. Even if I did the challenges I would get would
be feeding someone else and feeling like a family. The Tuohy had a lot to begin with so it
wouldnt have been hard to turn him down but for me and my family we have a different
case. I think there is no reward for helping someone like that. You dont expect anything to
take in a stranger. Normally you wouldnt even take in a stranger in the first place but if
there is a reward for doing that it would be that the stranger would feel grateful for changing
his life for him.

 Do you think the Tuohy are good people? What does it take to be considered a good
person?
I think they are extraordinary people. They are very loving and arent one of those people
who are rich and uses it for a bad cause. They are one of a kind for sure. They are definitely
considered good people unlike lots of people of earth. I think just helping those in need is all
that takes to be considered as a good person. Maybe not exactly a good person but it
definitely shows that you did a good deed.

Did you have a teacher who believed in you more than you believed in yourself? Tell us
about that teacher and what he/she did to push and inspire you. How can you inspire others
in your life?
I did, I still do to this day. Her name is luiza nelepcu my violin teacher. Ive had her for
around 7 years now and every week she would encourage me to practice daily and believes I
can do it and she always tells me that im very talented and that she knows I can do way
more than what I show her. I can inspire my siblings in a way luiza always inspires me with
her words and actions.

Did you ever have a teacher or person in your life who you felt was holding you back? Why
do you think one of Michaels teachers was unwilling to just pass him in order for him to get
a football scholarship? Would you have passed him without him earning the grade? What
was the impact of many of Michaels teachers passing him along in school when he did not
complete the work?
I dont think I ever had a teacher holding me back but me holding myself back. I think one of
Michaels teacher wasnt trying to hold him back by not giving him the mark he needs to get
a scholarship but he was trying to help Michael by getting him to show him that he can do it.
I personally wouldnt have passed a student who just needs the right grades to receive what
they want but without earning it I feel there is no point in passing a student who wont even
know the basic

Sean Tuohy told Leigh Ann that she had a sick satisfaction for helping others. What do
you think he meant by that statement? How can this be a good quality and a challenging
quality to have?
I think that word means she always had a desire to helping others who are in need. To be
honest there is no good or bad things about helping others. You dont help one for attention
thats not the purpose of helping the purpose is to make you feel good that you just did a
good deed. The challenges you may have to face are maybe end up having nothing because
u helped one too many people, or even get recognition for a good deed you have done and
get greedy for more attention. There really are no challenges to have a sick satisfaction like
Leigh Anne.

What was your reaction to how Leigh Anns friends treated her when they found out she
was helping Michael?
Do you think you would be strong enough to stand up for what you think is right with your
closest friends?
I thought it was ridiculous. As a close friend I would never disrespect my friend just because
of a decision she made. If I knew thats what her personality is and this is how she reacts to
people who are in need then I think I would respect my friend and even try to support her I

wouldnt be putting her down and make her feel stressed as she already is with a big
decision. I just found it very annoying and frustrated that her closest friends betrayed her
like that.

What were the various trust issues that existed in the movie for Michael?
Michael had problems trusting people in general because ever since he was a child he never
had a proper role model or any adult he could trust due to his situation. His mother abused
drugs and couldnt properly take care of him, all the other black guys who lived around the
area he grew up in chose the wrong path in life and didnt fit into the category of a
trustworthy adult. At one point he couldnt trust Leigh Anne since he didnt get why she took
him in because he had nothing to do with the family. Another part of the movie shows how
he started to suspicion over the fact why Leigh Anne wanted him to go to the same
university the whole family graduated out of. Its normal for people to not trust someone at
first but for a guy like Michael its harder for him to trust people because of the way he was
raised and the situation he grew up in.
What were the motives of Coach Cotton for getting Michael admitted into the school? Are
all selfish motives bad?
Give some examples.
Coach cotton knew that Michael would be a great player on the football team because he
was larger than most players on the team. His intentions were somewhat selfish; however,
at some point in anyones life we all make one selfish decision. An example is when you
want to eat more food than others.

What were some issues of racism that existed in this film? Does racism still exist today?
Discuss some current
examples. What can you do to stop racism?
Racism exists till this day. We, as children and the next generation as adults are influenced
by the adults right now about racism. As an example in the movie; leigh Annes close friends
have an impure thought about Collins and Michael. It was very stereotypical and ignorant of
them but what can we do in this world there will always be racism.

What was Michaels secret for being able to forget his past and not allow it to impact his
future? How does his
determination and motivation impact you? Do you think you can overcome the obstacles in
your life to reach your goals?
Michaels secret to forgetting his past was to close his eyes and count. When he opens his
eyes, all the bad things would disappear. Michael was determined and motivated by his
family. His motivation gave me a thought to reflect on myself and ask myself is what Im
doing is the right thing to do right now. I think one day when I come to an obstacle I will be
able to reach my goals.

Why do you think Michael never told anyone before Leigh Ann that he hated being called
Big Mike?
Do you have a nickname? Do you like it or not? Why or why not?

I feel like Michael was always too shy or felt inferior to those around his calling him big mike.
His name is Michael not big mike but he just wouldnt say anything about it. Some people
call me mel, short for Melanie. I dont mind it because it doesnt change who I am.

Do you know anyone as controlling as Leigh Ann Tuohy? What are the benefits and
challenges of spending
time with someone with this quality? What are the benefits and challenges of being that
person?
I know one person for sure and thats me. As I was watching the movie I felt a deep
connection between Leigh Anne and I since I thought we had a similar personality. I really
liked the way she acted since maybe because thats how I normally act. The benefits are
that people normally dont argue with me or try to keep distance but at the same time a
disadvantage is that I meet lots of people who have a similar personality so we tend to clash
then not become friends.

Share your thoughts on Michaels poem (White Walls). What did you think about his
reaction to The Charge
of the Light Brigade?
I really enjoys Michaels poem. I thought it was amazing actually. I thought through sean
Tuohy, Michael understood the poem a lot better.

Why do you think Miss Sue felt it was important for Leigh Ann to know she is a Democrat?
Do you think that
could have impacted her tutoring of Michael? Do you think political views can have an
impact on what is taught
in the classroom? Please explain.
Miss sue felt like it was important to inform Leigh Anne because republicans and democrats
have different political beliefs. They think differently from one another. Leigh Anne could
have thought that Miss Sue would force her beliefs onto Michael while teaching him the
school curricular.

What does it mean to you when someone says they have your back? Do you have people
in your life who have
your back? Please share how they have your back.
When people say they have my back it means that they will walk together with me in
whatever situation I am and whatever path I take in life. For instance my best friend, Joy, a
crazy but loving teenager whos been with me since 00 got my back since Ill always be
there for her as well. Joy and I respect each others opinion and help each other when one of
us are in need.

In what ways are you helping others in your life right now? If you are not, where can you
start?

Im helping my mom when she needs my help with anything. I always help out with
house chores, work and taking care of my younger siblings. I help my dad at work

when he is too busy to manage it all by himself. I consider myself very responsible
and hope my parents are proud of me as well.