Sandra Bullock for The Blind Side Interview
By Krystal Clark
This weekend, Sandra Bullock will be stepping into the world of films that are “based on a true story,” with her latest work, The Blind Side. The Rookie director John Lee Hancock takes on the book of the same name about an impoverished kid, who found personal and professional success through the compassion of a well off suburban family.
Bullock stars as Leigh Anne Tuohy, a woman who makes her own rules and expects everyone else to play by them. Through the film, the actress wears expensive clothes, gaudy jewelry, and sports a bright blond dye job from root to tip. We spoke to Bullock about the pressure of playing a real person as opposed to a fictional character, what she looks for in a movie role, and why she’s decided to take it slow at this point in her career.
Check out our interview below…
Earlier this year you had a huge hit with The Proposal, these days what do you look for in a movie for a role?
Proposal, um aside from all the right people and right elements I think nudity had a great deal to do with that [laughs]. Had I known that, I would have done it a long time ago. In picking roles, my way of choosing is vastly different now than it was a long time ago, but I can only be that way because of what I learned from the past. I’m choosing now, not to choose any work because when you’ve had such a nice ride, unexpected ride, fulfilling ride you really don’t want to take a step backwards. So, it’s really made me satisfied in a way that I wasn’t really looking for, but I was blessed with it and now I feel really full in a good way where I don’t need to rush out and go find something. I don’t want to.
When did the selection process change for you?
Well, the fact that I’m staring at a stack of scripts and I can’t bear to open them. I don’t want to step into that world right now. I want to enjoy where I am. I think it was over time just having good life experiences, that I was actually cognisant of my work and was very satisfied with it and I just want to enjoy the ride instead of blasting forward and trying to fill a void that doesn’t exist in the workplace.
How did you prepare to play someone who is a real person but isn’t famous?
That’s a tough one because I do think I tried to get as close – I mean you don’t meet an energy like Leigh Anne’s ever. She might not be famous here, but she’s known in other places and I think I felt a great sense of fear in trying to tackle that person she is, but also a great sense of obligation to be true to this wonderful dynamic, because John [Lee Hancock] couldn’t explain Leigh Anne to save his life. When I met Leigh Anne I said ‘Now I know why you can’t because she’s original.’ But there’s such a dynamic that exists between those people and their children that you wanted to pay homage to them. I wanted to as closely as I could so I did my best.
What was it about the character of Leigh Anne that appealed to you as an actress, before you actually met her?
Initially, when I was approached with the film it was a beautifully written story, you could see it play out. I didn’t know how to play Leigh Anne. I didn’t know how to approach it, or what I could bring to it so I just kept saying ‘No this is not going to work for me.’ John said in one of our meetings ‘why don’t you come meet Leigh Anne.’ I met Leigh Anne for the whole day and I left there completely exhausted because of the energy she had, but in love with this human being.
Earlier you spoke about slowing down your acting career, but what about your role as a producer?
To me, the producing falls into the same category as acting, it requires so much time out of your life and I take it very personally I realize. So if I do something, it just has to be something I love and I don’t want anybody else to do. When I open projects maybe something will appeal to me, I think I’m not opening them because I don’t want anything to appeal to me right now. I’m so happy where I’m at right now.
What was it about the story that really resonated with you the most?
First of all, it was a beautifully executed book especially for someone who’s been around football players her whole life and still knew nothing or cared anything about the game. I was in such awe of what it takes to be an athlete, and what the coaches contribute to these children’s lives and how they support and push and inspire. I had a real sense of jealousy that they got to experience that and I never did as an athlete or someone who was able to be brought to that point. But even though I didn’t think I could make this movie, the inspiring part is here’s this family that does this, didn’t do it because someone was writing an article, or a book, or making a movie. They did it because that’s where the instinct said this is what we’re going to do.
Do you think that’s a testament to the human spirit and how much good we can do?
We don’t trust anyone who does anything nice, that’s just the sad world we live in, but they didn’t care. They kept going and it makes you feel like you need to step up your game. Whatever wonderful actress was going to play Leigh Anne Tuohy it was going to be an inspirational story, a true life story that we’re capable of so much more than we think we are because we don’t really 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 a news report.
After playing this character, did it change your view on certain things?
One of my biggest questions was how people use their faith and their religion as a banner and then they don’t do the right thing, and then they go ‘I’m a good Christian and I go to church and this is the way you should live your life’ and I told Leigh Anne and I said it in a live interview we had I said, one of largest concerns at the end of this was that whole banner holding. I said, it scared me because I’ve had experiences that haven’t been great, I don’t buy a lot of people who use that as their shield, and she was open and honest and forthright and I said wow I’ve finally met someone who practices but doesn’t preach.
So meeting Leigh Anne has had a positive impact on your life personally?
We’re so quick to tell people how to live their lives and I’m so lucky that I’ve been able to stay on my path even though I’ve deviated some times but I’ve never felt like I was OK by it, 100%, it didn’t really matter but then you meet someone who blazes trails and they do it as a family and you feel validated for taking your trip rather than someone elses. She has no idea the path she’s begun in terms of adoption and fostering, it’s not been on the forefront of people’s minds. It is on the forefront of my mind everyday now when I get up. When I look around I go is he, is she, what is their situation? It’s because of this family and I think what their going to do for our country in terms of being aware of that, I don’t think they realize the profound effect that their going to have.
Can we talk about the fashion in this film? Were any of the clothes and jewelry exaggerated?
Hello! Everything I wore was what Leigh Anne wears. Every designer label was what Leigh Anne wears, every make up from her palette, her watch was her watch, her nightgown was her nightgown. I remember sending an email going John you gotta email Leigh Anne and ask her what nightgown she wears and John was like ‘eh’ because he knew what the reply was going to be, so all he gets back from Leigh Anne is [in Southern accent] ‘Ya”ll need to get a life’ [laughs].
The Blind Side debuts in theaters on November 20, 2009.
Monday, November 23, 2009 4:08AM
What was the watch Sandra Bullock wore in Blind Side? I loved the movie.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 4:50AM
I would lke to know as well. I want one
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 6:09PM
I want to know too!!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009 1:47AM
what was the cross necklace she wore?
Sunday, November 29, 2009 12:05AM
I too would like to now where I can find tyhe cross she wore. n Any news???
Monday, November 30, 2009 1:53AM
It is the Channel J12. The least expensive in that particular series (I'm pretty sure it was the one she wore) retails for 4,800.00
Friday, December 4, 2009 3:30PM
You're all wrong……that's a Toy Watch. I've been trying to get one since I saw the movie on Sunday night!
Friday, December 4, 2009 3:33PM
You're all wrong……that's a ToyWatch. I've been trying to get one since I saw the move on Sunday!
Saturday, December 5, 2009 5:19PM
It was not a Channel. I am a watch geek and it was a Michael Kors watch You can get it for $250 at Macy's.
Sunday, December 6, 2009 1:47PM
It's a Fossil…. STELLA SKINNY WHITE GLITZ $85.00
Monday, December 7, 2009 2:05AM
Janice is right – I looked up all the watches mentioned and the only one that works is Toy Watch's Plasteramic Watch: http://toywatchusa.com/Plasteramic-Watch-Collecti…
It can't be Fossil's Stella or a Michael Kors bc it's not a chronograph. The numbers are crystals or diamonds so it can't be a Chanel J12.
here's a very large, clear photo of the watch:
http://www.allmoviephoto.com/photo/2009_the_blind…
Monday, December 7, 2009 2:06AM
Thanks Janice for figuring this out!!!!
Monday, December 7, 2009 6:55AM
can anyone please help me figure out where to get that necklace she wore that has teh open clover design with diamonds. Its in the scene where the football coach nick saban comes to the house and they all meet him by the stairs. Its not a Van Cleef and Arpels I already went to the store and asked them.
Monday, December 7, 2009 8:47PM
i think it is this from tiffany… the mini cross http://www.tiffany.com/Shopping/Item.aspx?fromGri…
Monday, December 7, 2009 9:38PM
Does anyone know where a similar looking wedding ring she wore is sold? It's sooo pretty and I'm trying to find one!!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 5:06AM
millie u seem to be the ultimate pi of this board please help me find out about that necklace its driving me crazy i want it??
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 4:52PM
Its a Channel J12 watch, I have one. J12 comes in different models. The J12 is the first watch Channel came out with. Its timeless.
Thursday, December 10, 2009 5:10PM
we all want to know about the cross. I've searched…no luck. anyway we can just ask Leigh Ann?
Saturday, December 12, 2009 9:24PM
I have the exact same question about the wedding ring? What kind is it? Brand I mean. Love the large princess cut diamond with smaller pave diamonda and band. Sooo nnice!!
Thursday, December 17, 2009 4:18PM
I want to know the brand of the necklace she wore that looks inspired by Van Cleef and Arpels
Saturday, December 19, 2009 12:03AM
no its not its a toy watch…milli had it right up there
Saturday, December 19, 2009 6:18PM
i think it is the Michael Kors Ceramic line
Monday, December 21, 2009 5:57PM
I would REALLY like to find a wedding ring like she wore…..anybody know what brand, or where to find one like that?? Please let me know if you do.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009 10:36PM
One of the necklaces is by Amy DiGregorio Jewelry Design. Found here:
http://www.amydigregorio.com/collection/framed/ne…
Monday, December 28, 2009 1:25AM
And it is Chanel. I doubt you have one if you can't spell it.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 4:17PM
I would like to find the nightgown that sandra wore in the movie
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 5:07PM
The Michael Kors is a copy of the Chanel J12 and so is the even cheeper Fossil Stella watch. Check out the Swiss Legend white ceramic. The same style of watch is made by Rougios and Guess but some are painted white or even just white plastic. The Chanel is made of ceramic like fine china. I would believe that a rich woman like the one Sandra played would have the $5000 Chanel and not a copy. The producers of the movie may have used a costume watch to look like the Chanel style.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 5:56PM
The Chanel J12 Diamonds Date Automatic has the date between the 4 and the 5.
http://www.amazon.com/Chanel-Diamonds-Automatic-C…
The TOYWatch and Swiss Legend have it at the 3 position like in the picture from the movie.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 2:24AM
i thought it looked like a gucci watch
Thursday, January 21, 2010 10:17PM
It was a Chanel J12 with a diamond bezel
HTH! =]
Friday, January 22, 2010 4:51AM
Do you have a picture/link of the necklace?
Friday, January 29, 2010 4:36AM
I love the engagement ring and wedding ring as well. I would love to know the designer. Any ideas?
Friday, January 29, 2010 4:20AM
I love the cross necklace she wore in the movie. Anyone have a link to that necklace?
Friday, February 5, 2010 1:33AM
the engagement ring was the Tiffany novo
Friday, February 5, 2010 10:36PM
fossil stella watch is like that to.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 10:30PM
It's actually a Chanel – just talked to Fossil & the employee told me it's a $2,000 Chanel. Go figure. I'll take the $95 Fossil.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 4:38AM
I love the Fossil Watch ok I love the price=)
Thursday, April 1, 2010 1:39PM
Leigh Anne's nightgown in the movie was a piece from the Oscar De La Renta collection.
Thursday, April 1, 2010 1:41PM
Her nightgown in the movie was from Oscar De La Renta.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010 10:15PM
nope it is not a chanel
toywatch it is.
Sunday, April 25, 2010 4:24PM
I sell watches at Macy's and this looks like a Fossil Watch we carry. We have the chronograph ones and ones without.
Saturday, May 1, 2010 11:24AM
Go to ToyWatch’s website…they are touting the watch as the one in the movie & have included a photo from the movie. Janice is correct…
Sunday, May 23, 2010 7:20PM
i got one this weekend when i was in put in bay..its a fake chanel of course but still got one!! i wass sooo pumped!!
Saturday, May 29, 2010 8:55AM
so what watch was it
Friday, June 11, 2010 11:15PM
The silver and gold clover necklace that Sandra Bullock wore can be found here: http://borrowedbling.com/category.php?id=9&re… on the Borrowed Bling website. I know they used to have the cross she wore too. If you don't see it on there just call or email them asking for it. They had the exact one which was made up of 4 little round faux diamonds going down and two going across and if you look really close each diamond area is actually a tiny flower made up of 5 or 6 little round stones. It is gorgeous in person and I think it was onlyu like $69 or $79 in sterling silver with platinum.
Monday, November 1, 2010 9:27PM
I have been looking for months for a similar cross so if anyone can help that would be great
Saturday, December 25, 2010 7:35PM
To clarify, the watch is a toy watch it’s the white plasteramic for $295.00. It was confirmed by the person who did wardrobe for the movie. I have been dying to have the watch since seeing it in the movie and my boyfriend surprised me with it!
Saturday, January 8, 2011 2:49AM
Do you have a pic of the cross up close that you can email to me so I can get it made up? Thanks
Wednesday, April 6, 2011 8:15PM
I was lucky to find your screencrave.com website. Thank you for sharing this info. I find it very informative as I have been researching a lot lately on practical matters such as you talk about..
Thursday, June 16, 2011 1:03AM
I found a set on BorrowedBling’s website. Take a look:
http://borrowedbling.com/item.php?id=868