I haven’t been much for “The Blind Side” this year. I gave it a look pre-release and thought it was somewhat flat, expected it to be a modest hit (but was it much more than that) and maybe stir awards talk for Sandra Bullock but beyond that, I didn’t think it would move the needle much. Then the film took a life of its own, eventually crossing the $200 million domestic mark, yielding story after story focused on Bullock’s amazing year (the film is the first female-driven film to hit that box office milestone).
So I thought at best last night’s little event for the film at Il Cielo in Beverly Hills would be a nice opportunity for some free drinks and a brief chat with a likely on-her-press-game Bullock and little else. But boy was I wrong. After speaking with both Bullock and star Quenton Aaron for quite a while, I think they’ve made for one of my favorite experiences of the season.
Aaron, for starters, is absolutely charming, humble, nice as he could be and just a delight to talk to. I’m not used to looking up at people, but at 6′ 8″, I’m sure Aaron is the same way. Before getting the role he was working as a security guard at Rockefeller Center in New York. The first person he told about the news, in fact, was Tina Fey, who was walking by in the hallway when he let loose a scream of joy while on his cell phone. “What is it?,” she said, startled herself. “I just got this part,” Aaron told her.
As imposing a guy as Aaron is, though, he said he was never the guy to go into a club or an event as security looking for trouble. “Some guys, they’ll go in there and look around, ‘I’m ready for something,’” he told me. “Not me. I was usually the guy who’d try to use my personality and a sense of humor to break up a situation, because usually, it’s just people that are drunk and having fun.” I couldn’t help but think about “Road House” during the conversation, I have to say, since Aaron’s philosophy matched Patrick Swayze’s James Dalton to a T, but anyway, it was obviously an unlikely beginning for the future star of a $200 million film.
At the same time, the gentle giant aura fit for the character of Michael Oher, a homeless youth who found his way to college and a football career with the help of a good Samaritan family and, specifically, matriarch Leigh Anne Tuohy. Aaron tried his hand at football when he was in high school in Augusta, Georgia some years back. But the 25-year-old says he never really took to it (he played right tackle). He also has yet to meet Oher, surprisingly enough, though the recently drafted Baltimore Raven is a bit busy at the moment. The Ravens just routed the New England Patriots in the first weekend of NFL playoffs and will go up against the Indianapolis Colts next weekend.
Bullock, meanwhile, was obviously the center of attention. And how could she not be with that dazzling burgundy dress that seemed to state: “I am the best-dressed person in the room.” She was. And the line of admirers was, as you might expect, endless. I managed to sit with her toward the end of the evening with Little Gold Men‘s Rebecca Keegan, and I was shocked she still had gas left in the tank. What could I possibly ask?
Mostly I wanted to know what the financial success of the film, and additionally, “The Proposal,” means to Bullock through the spectrum of 2009 as “the year of the woman.” But she’s so quick to deflect credit. “I’m happy the film is doing so well but when people try to say it’s because of me, I don’t like that. That’s when I say, no, it’s John Lee (Hancock, the director), it’s Quentin, it’s the composer.” And it’s genuine. Let’s face it, you can’t be a movie star that lives in Long Beach (where Bullock lives with her husband, motorcycle manufacturer and television personality Jesse James) and still somehow be full of yourself.
Bullock, who was raised “between D.C. and Germany,” still has a bit of southern charm to her (which certainly helped with her work in “The Blind Side”). Her Juliard-trained father wanted her to go to my Alma mater, actually, the North Carolina School of the Arts, but she says she felt like to go to a school like that, you had to have confidence in your craft. And she didn’t have that at the time. So she opted for East Carolina University instead.
Taking on the role of Tuohy was quite the challenge, she says, and at the end of the day, it was a muted representation. “This was maybe 205 of Leigh Anne,” she said, noting that a personality as big as Tuohy’s could have dominated an entire film. “There would have been no Michael!” She would be rather meticulous, sending emails to Tuohy asking what kind of watch she wears, things like that. “Y’all need to get a life,” Tuohy would respond. “Well I’m getting your life,” Bullock would respond.
And it seems to have worked out. She’s already been awarded Best Actress nominations from the Broadcast Film Critics Association, the Hollywood Press Association, the Screen Actors Guild and, an interesting note, the Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association (bringing things full circle to her hometown roots). And the conventional wisdom is that an Oscar nomination should follow in two weeks time. Par for the course when this is your year, this is your moment.
And, forgive the cliche, it couldn’t happen to a nicer lady.
Comments
47 responses to “Blind sided by a charming pair”
why do I feel more and more ok with her winning this year?
Well, then, I guess that can serve as consolation when that awful, awful film nets Bullock her first Best Actress nomination.
So if an actress is nice and correctly punches the right press buttons she should be nominated?
This post feels really like a cog in a PR machine, and I am a big fan of this site.
Also, I find this quote slightly disturbing:
“Aaron, for starters, is absolutely charming, humble, nice as he could be and just a delight to talk to”
As though you expected him to be some hulking, stupid monster who would beat you up or something. That quote inadvertently infers that your expectations were for him to be his character instead of a human being.
awwwwwwwwwwww!
Oy, Chris. Never once did I say she deserved to be nominated for being nice. I said it couldn’t happen to a nicer lady. Don’t presume to question my integrity.
As for Aaron, you bring your own shit to the table on this one. I didn’t expect anything out of him. I was just struck by how humble and real he was in an industry that can be incredibly fake. He’s not the kind of guy who talks to someone while looking out over the crowd for someone perhaps more important to talk to. He wasn’t even concerned with discussing the movie. That kind of thing is refreshing.
People like you piss me right the hell off for your backwards interpretations and willful insinuations. Embarrassing.
I am confused. Did you actually see the movie, Kris?
“I gave it a look pre-release and thought it was somewhat flat…”
Yes.
“People like you” ? “My own shit to the table”
Wow. This gets worse and worse.
You have such a hair-trigger, Mr. Tapley. No need to be so coarse and combative with an avid reader. Like it or not, that is the message I gleaned from what you wrote.
As far as integrity goes, I think that your vulgar response pretty much shows your level of integrity.
Hardy har. Perhaps “journalistic” should have been inserted before “integrity,” but regardless, if you’re an avid reader, then you should know that interpretation was the wrong one from the start. Clearly you wanted a rise. You got one. I’m an idiot for letting myself go there. Carry on.
Ah, I read that as saying you hadn’t seen it because the pre-release material looked uninteresting.
Sorry James. No, I saw it right before release.
It seems a sad state of Oscar affairs if Bullock is nominated for, at best, a mediocre performance in what I thought a below average film. Such better performances will be overlooked – Cornish, Swinton, Gainsbourgh, Laurent, Cotillard, even Pfeiffer.
Take a vacation Kris (after you ban me)…it’s obvious you really need one.
You said it.
ignore that hater Kris. no one even saw what he supposedly saw in your statements, i know i didnt. he is probably some sensitive pc white guy ,who are always the 1st to come with this type of ish. they always looking 4 ish to try and tar people with on behalf of minorities. as a black person ( i hate saying that on the internet) i was not offended in the least,
she’s going to win.
because she wins the popularity contest.
woah nelly, let’s not turn this place into Hollywood-Elsewhere. Simmer down now everyone.
Anyway, I am glad to hear that both Quenton Aaron and Sandra Bullock are genuine people. I didn’t really like The Blind Side, but I did like Sandra’s performance and I hope she gets nominated.
Nice piece on your impressions of Bullock. Kris, do you buy the idea that’s expressed in some circles that Bullock’s success signals some kind of new era for older women in film? I personally never buy these so-called trends. In ’96, for example, independent films were going to take over the Oscars for years to come, and TITANIC came in ’97. PASSION OF THE CHRIST was supposed to pave the way for religious films. I think the triumphs of Bullock, Streep, and Bigelow are wonderful but not necessarily the beginning of a Golden Age for women.
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I propose that we bring in Mr. Aaron to use his sense of humor to break up the tension.
Anyway, it’s been a lukewarm yet somehow eclectic collection of actresses vying for the Top Prize his year. If Sandra wins, dandy. If not, eh.
But boy was I surprised to see how well this film took-off. People really do love a film near the holidays that warms the cockles of the heart, don’t they?
[EDIT] “eclective collection of female performances,” not actresses.
My bad. That woulda been ass-like of me.
Ever since I accepted that Bullock would be nominated for this mediocre performance (she was much better in A Time to Kill, 28 Days and Crash just to mention a few), I have feared that she will win the Oscar. And I still fear it. A Lot.
I could easily see the HFPA give it to a star like her, and Meryl won the SAG last year, so I could just as easily see that go to Bullock. And with those two, in many ways she would be considered the frontrunner on march 7th.
evelyn: You pretty much said it.
I like that she has shaken up the race…and as you say, she seems very genuine, she came across well on Tavis Smiley’s program last night too.
I liked the piece, it was honest and Kris is honest about his opinion about the movie. The Blind Side has made 200 million and has appealed more to the US cinema going public them most of the probable ten. Bullock has given performance that has resonated with the public and a good performance imho should do that. Also lets not forget the Oscars were set up to promote movies and is an industry event. Therefore if Bullock gets a nomination and even wins, then why not?
I’ve always thought Bullock would be a pretty nice lady to meet, so thanks for confirming that Kris. Though I disagree with some on here that she’ll win. I thought she gave a great performance, she seemed to command the screen whenever she was on it, but I don’t think the role is your typical Oscar winner role. It’s too light and the character’s motives seem pretty one dimensional. Personally, I feel Streep and Mulligan gave more complex turns and that its a two horse race between them with Sidibe being a possible dark horse winner.
Good to know they’re both such nice people, but I thought that Blind Side was a really mediocre movie and she gave a very average performance. I would rather Streep win for her unspectacular performance in Julie & Julia, because at least she did something with the role. Bullock didn’t do much of anything.
Ideally, though, the Oscar will go to either Sidibe or Mulligan (I haven’t seen The Last Station yet) who were both fantastic.
Wow, great read. I’m pulling for her. Sidibe and Mulligan were fantastic, with a ton of depth in each performance… but Bullock’s is strong in it’s own rite. Perhaps not as dynamic, but I’m not going to be upset if she pulls a victory. Worse things have happened.
But, as a Southerner, I feel the need to point out that it’s “Y’all” not “Ya’ll.” :)
The Oscar will go to Streep. She has —
1. Momentum from last year
2. 2 box office hits in 2009
3. Way Overdue
4. Critical Darling (major precurser awards)
5. Year of the Woman—Streep fits nicely
Sad that she will be taking up Swinton’s spot.
I still don’t understand how Streep can be “overdue” when she already has two academy awards. You can describe Maryl Streep in a lot of ways, but “overdue” isn’t one of them. And Carey Mulligan was better this year, IMO.
Med: Surely any actress fits the “year of the woman” brief?
;)
Agreed, Craig. Yes, can anyone explain how Streep is “overdue” when she already has two statues? I know, I know…it’s been quite a while since she won the last one. That shouldn’t matter, what matters is the performance, and while she’s good in Julie and Julia, it’s no more win-worthy than her role in Devil Wears Prada. Mulligan is my pick.
“1. Momentum from last year
2. 2 box office hits in 2009
3. Way Overdue
4. Critical Darling (major precurser awards)
5. Year of the Woman—Streep fits nicely”
Notice how all five of these points have either very little or nothing to do with the actual film.
I adore Ms. Bullock. But, I want Streep to win. She has consistently given wonderful performances. Her “Julia” role is such a great standout performance last year. I hear Ms. Mulligan is a wonderful stage actress, but I wasn’t fully moved by her performance in “An Education” – too much hype. The battle should be between Streep & Miren.
I love you Sally P….
I will cry when this woman beat Gabby Sidibe and Carey Mulligan in the Golden Globes, please God, is there is justice let her NOT WIN.
I like Sandra Bullock, she seems to be a pretty decent lady, but she really didnt gave one of the best performances this year. So many other actresses deserve more
McAllister: I’m a southerner, too, and I’ve written “y’all” for years. And I can’t believe I wrote it that way here. Jeez!
I kind of understand where Chris is coming from within the context of the FILM. The film is typical Hollywood bullshit. The film focuses on the “White Savior” that is saving the blacks (the “children”) from themselves. While the black characters in the story are essentially cartoon characters, stereotypes, basically characters that are not properly developed. This isn’t anything new. At least, this is my opinion of the film. So, perhaps Chris’s mentally and comments were thinking within the confines of the film, just some sewage seeping into this arena. Mr. Tapley’s piece itself; there is nothing there, but a lot to read into if you are looking for it, especially with this kind of film (slightly racists in it’s storytelling) and this kind of industry (where it is not always clear where ass kissing ends and real opinion and critical thinking begins). I don’t think this site has been effected. Or that the article is anything more than it is. But I understand if others are more suspicious. Mr. Tapley, I don’t think you should take it personally. But then again, I’m sure it doesn’t feel great to be accused of shit right off the bat after what seems like a fun time.
Regarding Bullock, I am actually a huge fan of Sandra Bullock, but I’m disappointed that it is this film that has made her so successful this year. And it would be a major crime if she won over Mulligan.
Streep will win this year it is so obvious that she gave the best reviewed performance of the year, she has the momentum and the overdue third factor, and the precursor support.
If Hepburn wins 4 Oscars tony rock why not STREEP?
Here’s the thing about Bullock in this film: It’s a good performance. More importantly, its a giving performance. We usually see the people who win as being in vurtuoso roles. This is a more believable role where she plays off of the chemistry of the film and owns every scene she’s in without dominating. Her performance is almost dare I say “selfless” in a way that I’ve never seen from Bullock before, and that’s coming from someone who owns “The Lake House.”
I’d be happy to see her win, although I’m obviously rooting for Carey.
This place is going to explode if SaBu wins Best Actress at the Oscars. God help us.
Kris: Where in the South are you from?
Not to take anything away from this particular article, but I’ve read plenty where journalists assume stars will be egotistical or misbehaved only to report on their charm or etiquette as being refreshing. For a reader, it would be refreshing to read the reverse.
“I expected Tom Hanks to be congenial but he dismissed all my questions and farted in my face on the way out!”
Mc: Virginia/North Carolina
Chad: One day maybe I’ll write up those stories.
Nice. I’m Atlanta born and bred.
Have family in Swainsboro.
Nice piece.