In a role that carries the ball forward in a picture based on a true story, Sandra Bullock’s performance as Leigh Anne Tuohy, a gutsy, self-confident, well-off Southern woman with hyper-protective instincts garnered her an Oscar as Best Actress at the 82nd Annual Academy Awards held Sunday.
Her characterization provides an entertaining mix of sass and a sort of “never let them see you cry” vulnerability as one rainy night she impulsively takes in Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron), a homeless African-American youngster from a broken home, to be part of her well-to-do white family. In helping him fulfill his potential (he goes on to be an offensive lineman in college and in the NFL), Oher’s presence in the Touhys’ lives leads them to some insightful self-discoveries of their own.
The film’s director, John Lee Hancock, also helmed The Rookie,” another real-life tale about the redemptive power of sports.
Another veteran of sports cinema, Jeff Bridges (“Fat City”, “Seabiscuit”) won the Academy Award for Best Actor in “Crazy Heart”.
