"The Blind Side" Sets Box Office Record for Sandra Bullock

by Angela Walker

Christian Cinema.Com

Sandra Bullock made box office history with her role in The Blind Side. The film passed the $200 million mark (its running total is now $208.5 million), which is a record for a female-led film at the United States box office.

Other films starring women have made over $200 million in the U.S., but this is the first with a sole female lead and few other recognizable stars (The Blind Side features Tim McGraw and Kathy Bates in supporting roles). It's bigger than Mamma Mia! (starring Meryl Streep), Pretty Woman (starring Julia Roberts), and even some other films with major power players or franchise histories (Mr. & Mrs. Smith, starring uber-couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, brought in $186 million, and Sex and The City, based on the hit television show, had a U.S. box office of $152 million).

The Backbone of the Film

In a press conference before the film released, Bullock talked about the role and her decision to portray Leigh Anne Tuohy, the backbone of the film. "You don't meet an energy like [Leigh Anne} almost ever. She may not be famous here [in Los Angeles], but she's known in other places.

"I felt a great sense of fear in trying to capture the person that she is, and also a sense of obligation to be true to this wonderful dynamo. There's such a dynamic that exists between those people and their children that you want to pay homage to them and get as close as you can."

In Bullock's 20-year career, The Blind Side also represents the highest-grossing U.S. box office of any films she's been in. She's had many different leading roles: an environmentally-minded lawyer (Two Weeks Notice), a subway booth operator (While You Were Sleeping), a young woman helping foil a terrorist plot (Speed), and even an FBI agent masquerading as a beauty pageant contestant (Miss Congeniality), yet none seem to resonate with an audience like that of Leigh Anne Tuohy.

What Audiences Enjoy

As interesting a statistic as that is, what does it say for what audiences really enjoy? From my perspective, it says that as an audience, we like seeing ordinary people on the big screen. We like the thought that something about our lives is interesting enough to want to create a movie about. We know that in the everyday actions of families, there are small decisions made that can dramatically change another person's life.

Yet these stories are rarely told. We may read them in the local newspaper or hear about them on the evening news, but seldom do they reach a global audience. The appeal of the story was not that lost on Bullock. "It was a beautifully written story and I could see it playing out. It was a beautifully executed book.

In early conversations with director John Lee Hancock, Bullock told him that playing the role terrified her, which made her think she had to do it. "Even though I didn't think I could make this movie," Bullock said, "the inspiring part of it was that here was this family that does this, not because someone was writing an article or a book or making a movie.

"They did it because they want to give love and reach out a hand. Everyone came and questioned them because we don't trust anyone who does something nice, and that's the sad world we live in. But they didn't care and kept going. It makes you feel like you need to step up your game."

We're Capable of More than We Are

I believe Bullock nails the reason this movie is such a hit. "Whatever wonderful actress was going to play Leigh Anne Tuohy was going to be part of bringing an inspirational story that says we're capable of more than we think we are. We don't live in a world that supports the good that we can do.

"They all want us to do something bad so it sells some papers or makes the news reports."

Quinton Aaron, who plays Tuohy's adoptive son Michael Oher, agreed. "[Michael's story] will inspire a lot of our youth today. It tells you that no matter how hard of a background you come from, you don't have to turn to guns and violence and end up in jail or the morgue just because of how bad you had it. Everyone goes through things, but they don't last forever, and there's a way out."

Christians in a Positive Light

Finally, I believe people who are Christians, which is 76% of the U.S. population (according to the American Religious Identification Survey), are glad to see themselves portrayed in a positive manner in a Hollywood movie. Bullock herself had some reservations about portraying someone of faith. "It scared me because I've had experiences that haven't been great. I don't buy a lot of people who use that [faith] as their shield. She was so open and honest and forthright. I said, 'Wow! I finally met someone who practices but doesn't preach.'

"I told her she has no idea what she's done in terms of adoption and foster care. It's not been on the forefront of people's minds, but now every day when I get up it is. I look around and go, 'Is he? Is she? What is their situation?' It's because of this family."

Even before the film opened nationally, Bullock made a prediction about its impact. "I don't think they [the Tuohys] realize the profound effect they're going to have on our country. I finally met people who walk the walk and it's made me happy. Very happy."

©2010 ChristianCinema.com

Executive Editor and Director of Producer Relations for ChristianCinema.com, Angela writes and edits articles and movie reviews, interviews filmmakers, and searches for new films to add to the ChristianCinema.com catalog. A primary focus is interviewing today's filmmakers to get to know the person behind the camera and gain an inside look at the process of making movies. Angela also writes the ChristianMovieNews blog, an ongoing dialogue about faith and film.