Sunday, November 22, 2009
A+E, Movies, Q&A

Baring it all

Sandra Bullock on “The Blind Side,” Atlanta actors and nudity

BY BERT OSBORNE

Shot in Atlanta, “The Blind Side” tells the inspirational true story of current Baltimore Ravens tackle Michael Oher. As a poor, basically homeless black teenager (in Memphis), he was taken under the wing of an affluent white family—who provided him with the love and encouragement he needed to turn his life around, to get a good education and a football scholarship.
 
Newcomer Quinton Aaron plays the young Michael, but the movie is very much a star vehicle for Sandra Bullock as the charismatic, no-nonsense wife and mother, Leigh Anne Tuohy. The 45-year-old actress talked about the film during a recent interview in Los Angeles.
 

You had a big hit earlier this year with “The Proposal.” Why do you think it clicked so well?

Aside from all the right people and elements in the right place at the right time, I think nudity had a great deal to do with it. Had I known, I would’ve done that a long time ago. [She laughs].

What’s your process for choosing scripts?

 It’s vastly different than it used to be. When you’ve had such a nice, unexpected, fulfilling ride, you don’t want to take a step backwards. Generally, it has to be something I love and that I can’t bear the idea of anyone else doing.

What appealed to you about “The Blind Side”?

 It’s such a beautiful story. I loved the idea of this family doing what they did, not because anybody was writing a book or making a movie about it, but because that’s what their instincts told them to do. They reached out with a helping hand, giving love and support and inspiration, even though a lot of people were questioning them. We don’t trust anyone who does anything nice. That’s the sad world we live in. But they didn’t care and kept going anyway. It makes you feel like you need to step up your own game. We’re capable of so much more than we think we are, but we don’t really live in a world that always supports the good we can do.

What was the biggest challenge for you in playing this character?

 When they initially approached me, I didn’t know what I could bring to it or if I could play her. I met with her for a day, which left me completely exhausted, because of all the dynamic energy she has. I fell in love with her and the remarkable things she’s done, but I still had no idea how to bring that to life and make it truthful. I felt a great sense of fear about trying to tackle the person she is, but also a great sense of obligation to do it right. It’s such a nice thing, getting to play people and experiencing lives that you normally wouldn’t come in contact with.

You wouldn’t know it based on their one or two scenes in the movie, but you’re working with some of the best theater actors in Atlanta [Rhoda Griffis, LaParee Young, Afemo and Elizabeth Omilami, James Donadio]. Did anything stand out about them?

People just assume that all the great actors are in New York, or maybe L.A., but that’s so not true. It’s a credit to [director] John Lee Hancock for finding the best people for each role. It’s all about smart casting. There seemed to be an amazing talent pool. It’s exciting that there are filmmaking communities like Atlanta that really benefit from these great faces, fresh and exciting character actors who brought such an authenticity to this piece. SP