CMNS130A Assignment: Analysis of Key Terms in The Blind Side

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the movie "The Blind Side," focusing on several key terms from a media studies course. The analysis begins with cultural imperialism, exploring how the film portrays the white family's role in Michael Oher's success and the potential reinforcement of stereotypes. The report then examines mise en scene, highlighting how cinematography enhances audience connection with the characters. The concept of canon is discussed, critiquing the movie's portrayal of white society and the simplification of Michael Oher's struggles. Embodiment is analyzed through Sandra Bullock's portrayal of Leigh Anne Tuohy. The report continues to explore cross-cultural flow, examining the cultural differences and stereotypes presented in the film. Finally, the report discusses chilling effects, focusing on scenes that create a significant impact on the audience. The analysis incorporates references to academic sources to support the arguments.

Running Head: ANALYSIS OF KEY TERMS THROUGH THE MOVIE “THE BLIND
SIDE”
Analysis of Key Terms Through the Movie “The Blind Side”
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author’s Note:
Table of Contents

1ANALYSIS OF KEY TERMS THROUGH THE MOVIE “THE BLIND SIDE”
Analysis......................................................................................................................................2
Cultural Imperialism..............................................................................................................2
Mise en scene.........................................................................................................................2
Canon.....................................................................................................................................3
Embodiment...........................................................................................................................3
Cross-Cultural Flow...............................................................................................................4
Chilling Effects......................................................................................................................4
Reference....................................................................................................................................6

2ANALYSIS OF KEY TERMS THROUGH THE MOVIE “THE BLIND SIDE”
Analysis
Cultural Imperialism
The movie “The Blind Side” featuring Sandra Bullock found its way into everyone’s
heart due to two reasons; namely- the rags to the rich story and the second is the portrayal of
the Whites as finally rising to the occasion and being the reason of Michael Oher’s success.
The cultural imperialism in the movie is plastered across the movie from the very beginning
when he is brought into their house, and Mr. Tuohy is scarred about his family’s safety
depicting the stereotype regarding the black culture. The way Oher is shown to be helpless
and the depiction of the Black society as being unsafe is braved by the Whites to make sure
that they get Oher into their lives. The story of the struggle of Oher can be seen as being
turned into the story and the position of the protagonist being shift Leigh Anne Tuohy, the
lead in the family who adopted him. Imperialism of the White culture comes alive for the
narrative is turned to portray the greatness of a white family going beyond and across the
cultural barrier and helps him to have a normal life (Fikzia). A story consisting of pain,
struggle and trauma of a child subjected to the difficulty faced by the Black people in the
society turns into a morally aspiring story of a white family’s charity.
Mise en scene
There are several scenes in the movies which convey the intention of the director to
make the audience feel relatable to the character. The cinematography used in the movie
connects the audience to Oher as well as to Leigh, who has been the wall of support for him
in every way a mother can, and she does not let anything stop her from making him feel at
home. When the Tuohy family asks Michael for the first time if he would like to a part of
their family, in particular, asked directly by Leigh, the cameras are placed at level with the
characters sitting down and the audience can relate to be sitting in the dining table along with
them. It shows the point in the movie that Michael, for the first feels equal to the Tuohy

3ANALYSIS OF KEY TERMS THROUGH THE MOVIE “THE BLIND SIDE”
sitting with them, the camera pointing towards him or from him is not tilted upwards or
downwards but is leveled and is dialogue (Chen). The setting of the scene is also set and shot
in a neutral light. SJ gives him the look of affinity, and it is the only time camera is tilted
downwards when Michael loved looks at him, denoting the elder brother's sense in him.
Canon
The canon of the movie is the diminishing trait of racism in society. However, it is
one thing to see the movie for what it and to understand what it is made of in reality. The
movie shows two sides of the society; we see the locality in which the Tuohy’s family lives
and the other side where it was even hard to track Michael’s mother. When Leigh meets his
mother, we see a black woman who has lived her life in suffering and hiding from it under
the influence of drugs and a white woman who has lived in the part of the society where she
is not seen as the elicit part of it. The canon of the movie, in its truest sense, can be seen as
the painting of the white society through the construction of the image of a family who
provides a basic living condition to a black boy as the saint and the boy as the saved life and
nothing more (Shaw). When in reality, the movie can be seen as the institutionalization of the
image about the White family whose charity outweighs the struggle and the hard work of an
underdog who understands the privilege of his situation and put himself through it to make
the best out of his to repay people with love and affection which they have given him.
Embodiment
The portrayal of Leigh Anne Tuohy by Sandra bullock has been a stellar performance,
for she conveys the sense of being an independent woman and a mother of two who demands
respect through her very appearance. She belongs to an upper-class family who lives and
owns a house in one of the most expensive localities of the state and is a part of various social
groups. Charitable groups and beneficiary in their face value, but the other side of the coin is
shown, and they declare the adoption of Michael by her as a charitable publicity stunt. The

4ANALYSIS OF KEY TERMS THROUGH THE MOVIE “THE BLIND SIDE”
movie is an embodiment of the sense of kindness and compassion which one single family
can impart to the society and how even a single-family was making an effort to eradicate the
conventional stereotype matter and can make a huge difference (Osman). Leigh is shown to
be the embodiment of compassion in every sense of her existence. In the very scene in which
she encounters Michael, we see her demanding truth to be able to help him. SJ is shown to be
the result of the effort by Leigh and the expression of her kindness that he grows into a boy
who does not understand discrimination, to begin with, and in a very short time accepts
Michael as his brother.
Cross-Cultural Flow
Michael Oher’s first-ever request of favor from Leigh is that of a driver’s license
depicts the sad reality of a society where a high school student from a section of the society.
On being inquired why he needed the license, his answer is heart-wrenching when he
explains that he simply wants the paper because it would be something with his name on it.
The situation of life in which the existence of an individual’s identity become so meaningless
that a piece of paper is needed for them to pacify their inner anxiety. It begins the hunt of
Michael’s father that shows the cultural difference in black society, and the visits to the
locality make the difference stark (Sexton). Another depiction of the movie, which reflects
the cross-cultural flow of the movie, is the inclination of Oher that is shown by him in sports
and the acceptance and then gradual obsession of colleges to enroll him. The stereotype
around the black community and their excellence in the movie have been affirmed that makes
the struggle and rise of Michael Oher's other rags to riches story, which on its way also
shapes the white family’s image as a saint.
Chilling Effects
There are several cinematic pieces of evidence in the movie which can be classified as
providing the chilling effect. Chilling effects are referred to as instances in the movie, which

5ANALYSIS OF KEY TERMS THROUGH THE MOVIE “THE BLIND SIDE”
have an accentuated effect among the audience. It is also often found to be the turning point
of the movie. One such was the practice session, which SJ records and Leigh could see the
frustration in the coach, which was developing due to Michael’s inability to understand the
team’s need. She decides to step in the scene and explains the meaning and value of a team
and teamwork in the game through an example of the most valued part of Michael’s life
(Coetzee). She explains that each team is a representation of a family where the role of each
player is different, and yet each of them is depended on each other for the team to stay intact.
It was the first time after this that Michael was able to hold the line of defense for his team.
The happiness on Michael’s face represents two things; one was the proud moment he
achieved and was visible through Leigh and SJ’s reaction. Moreover, another was the
acceptance of his team for his game.

6ANALYSIS OF KEY TERMS THROUGH THE MOVIE “THE BLIND SIDE”
Reference
Chen, Joshua, et al. "The effect of user embodiment in AV cinematic experience." (2017).
Coetzee, Martin. Cimatographs, Crystal Valves and American Cultural Imperialism: the
Role played by IW Schlesinger's Media Organisation at the Genesis of the South Africa's film
and Radio Industries 1913-1937. Diss. University of Pretoria, 2019.
Fikzia, Iffah. WHITE SAVIOR HEGEMONY DEPICTED IN THE BLIND SIDE MOVIE.
Diss. DIPONEGORO UNIVERSITY, 2019.
Osman, Juan Pablo. "A critical approach to american cinema through sport films: the blind
side." (2019).
Sexton, Jared. Black masculinity and the cinema of policing. New York, NY: Palgrave
Macmillan, 2017.
Shaw, Daniel. "Stanley Cavell on the Magic of the Movies." Film-Philosophy 21.1 (2017):
114-132.