The Struggle With Adversity In The Blind Side

Malcolm Gladwell once said “Adversity is life’s very own workout session. Yes, we will feel the aches and pains and struggles. But after that, we will also feel stronger, more resilient, even more alive”.

With that being said, director, John Lee Hancock effectively captures the struggle of adversity in his semi-autobiographical film ‘The Blind Side’, and portrays adversity as a central part of human experience. I firmly believe ‘The Blind Side’ is the perfect film for NESA to include within their struggle with adversity study guide because it is a prime resource that explores the adversity attached to human experiences and fits seamlessly with the course description. The film focuses on the life of Michael Oher, an African American high school student growing up in the Projects of Memphis, Tennessee. Throughout the film, Michael struggles with issues brought upon by racism, drug addiction, homelessness and experiences the repercussions of living in a neighbourhood run by violent gangs. At times the adversity he faces seems insurmountable, however through determination and utilising his newfound family as support, by the end of the film it is apparent that the adversity in Michael’s life leads him into becoming a stronger and more resilient person. I am convinced that through the employment of literary and cinematic techniques, ‘The Blind Side’ inherits the capability to deepen students understanding of the individual and/or collective human experience.

Coming from a broken home, Michael’s childhood was filled with hardship and adversity.

Extremely poor, with a drug-addicted mother and an estranged father who he discovers was murdered, the damaging nature of Michael’s childhood is revealed through flashbacks. In a key flashback, Michael is shown being torn away from his mother by child protective services. The use of extreme closeups of the terrified and frantic expressions on Michael’s face creates intimacy allowing the audience to establish a strong emotional connection with him. The traumatising effect of this particular moment as well as the accumulative effect of years of violence, drug abuse and neglect reveal these childhood adversities to be life-altering. I believe this film is ideal for students examining the topic of adversity as it does not shy away from real issues in the world and instead reveals the reality and scope of adversity that makes up our collective human experience.

Through the characterisation of Michael, the film exposes the attributes, characteristics and feelings connected to human experiences. After repeatedly running away from his unloving foster parents throughout high school, Michael is left isolated and living on the streets. At one point, his friend’s dad is driving him to school on the wealthy side of town, when he sees a mother and her children selling homemade lemonade at a stand outside of their home. This motif of Michael looking through glass, every time he sees an aspect of life that he longs for, in this case a loving family, is a visual metaphor for the barriers that prevent him from overcoming the adversities he faces. Therefore, this film should be included in the NESA study guide as it represents the human emotions and qualities that arise from the adversities that individuals experience.

As well as Michael’s personal adversities, the film also examines how behaving outside of societal norms and conventions can create unexpected adversities and repercussions. When a high school basketball coach, Sean Touhy, becomes aware of Michael’s situation, his family decided to take him in and eventually adopt him. The family in many ways are the direct opposite of Michael, well educated, wealthy and white and the adoption of an African American teenager who is an anomaly goes against societal expectations. Their act of compassion is met with suspicion from their friends and neighbourhood, who thinly veil their racist beliefs and stereotypes behind questions such as ‘aren’t you afraid for your daughter with him sleeping there?’.

While the film explores how adversity as a human experience creates hardships and barriers in life, the ability to overcome these is a key aspect of adversity as a concept. At the turning point of the film, a sports coach for a prestigious catholic school notices Michael and his physically potential meeting all the demands of the NFL. Subsequently, Michael receives an offer to be a student at the school through a sports scholarship. The importance of this opportunity is emphasised when Michael walks through the school gates for the first time as a new student. The point of view shot shows a close up of the school motto “with men this is possible, with God all things are possible”. This motto alludes to God having a higher plan for Michael, and also signals the turning point in his life where, against all odds, he begins to overcome the adversities faced in his childhood. Slowly but steadily with the help of his new school and adoptive family, his life is gradually becoming the one he has always longed for. As a result, This movie is also particularly inspirational for HSC students as it proves that adversities faced in your childhood and adolescence can be overcome.

It is imperative that NESA includes this film into their study guide as the characterisation of Michael, it exemplifies the module description by providing students with rich opportunities to explore how text represent individual and collective human experiences. The film thoroughly explores the common human experience of adversity and reveals how individuals have the ability to overcome even significant adversities faced in their lives.

As a result, The Blind Side is an exemplary film for NESA’s adversity study guide and it would be an appalling mistake to miss the opportunity to include this film into the struggle with an adversity study guide. Thank you.