In what way did Michael change LAT life?- Realise how lucky they are- LAT did a lot of charity work, however helping Michael was personal and immediate- Perfect family, none of them needed her the way Michael needed her so she could put all her drive and energy into Michael

What is the function of Alton the gang leader?- The clear alternative to what the Tuohys can offer Michael- Alton offers Michael clothes and a job- Dave (also in the gang) and a good football player makes the contrast even clearer (shown in final voiceover when it is known he is killed)

Structure of the film:- Important to develop ideas and characters- Bookend structure- Most of the narrative is chronological with occasional brief flashbacks of Michael’s childhood (always blue tinted)- The main narrative is framed (bookended) by the interview with the NCAA lawyer. Her second appearance is the catalyst for the final sequence and Michael questioning the Tuohys’ motives

Who is the protagonist? Who is the antagonist?- The protagonists are Michael and Leigh Anne Tuohy- Leigh Anne is shown to be a main character through her bookend voiceovers and her statement that Lawrence Taylor changed her life - Michael is shown to be a main character because the story is from his POV a lot of the time- The antagonist is the series of challenges that they meet and overcome

Act 1:- Michael’s enrolment at Wingate- Plot point that ends act 1: Leigh Anne picks up Michael in the car

Act 2:- Michael becoming a part of the Tuohy family and improving his football skills- Plot point that ends act 2: Where Michael can’t make the grades - “His best chance at improving is with the written essay at the end of the year. It counts a third of his grade.” … “Well that’s it. We’re sunk.”

Act 3:- Resolution – he gets Miss Sue, his grades go up, he graduates and gets a scholarship

There are repeated scenes to show character development:- The NCAA interview: the first time he is nervous and uncertain, the second time Michael is confident and in control (shown through body language, shots of his hands rubbing his knees, blue shirt to red shirt, camera angles)

- Very similar camera shots of Michael walking down Hurt Village and walking through college grounds- 2 lunch scenes: first LAT mentions Hurt Village but doesn’t go into lots of detail, second she has lunch with her friends and says she might adopt Michael, speaks warmly of him, strongly defends him against her friends- Scenes with small girls on swings: In the first they run away, in the second they want him to push, they talk to him, no longer afraid (he is part of the school environment)

1st Swing Scene(14:35) - follows ‘white walls’ sceneGirls run away but SJ talks to MO, which shows his confidence in himself (he doesn’t appear to see MO as different)

2nd Swing Scene(49:20) – follows LAT asking Collins if she is ok with MOThe girls say “Hi Mike”, he is well dressed with a backpack (instead of plastic bag) and smiling. The scene also includes a reaction shot from Collins. She walks behind the bar fence looking with admiration and affection towards Michael

These 2 scenes show the transition from Michael being worn down from his life in Hurt Village, sad and vulnerable, to being nurtured, loved and happy.

1st Lunch Scene(34:50) - follows scene when LAT first drops off SJ and MO to school togetherLAT asks the ladies whether they have been to Hurt Village. “Is this one of your charities?” “A project for the projects.” they reply – coming across as very shallow, very privileged and lacking empathy for others. LAT doesn’t reply, but looks quiet and contemplated showing she has been really moved by her experiences with MO in Hurt Village (usually she always voices her opinion loudly)

2nd Lunch Scene(46:50) – follows the Christmas Card sceneThey make jokes about Michael being big – “You just looked teeny tiny next to him – like Jessica Lange in King Kong!”, “Does Michael get the family discount at Taco Bell? If so, Sean is going to lose a few stores.” They are shown to be extremely racist and prejudiced. Leigh Anne defends Michael at every turn and calls her friends out for their prejudices – “Shame on you.”

1st NCAA Interview SceneFollows the Tuohys talking with MO about Ole Miss.LAT and MO are both in the same blue colour – it is a time they both feel vulnerable. Miss Granger (investigator) is immediately judging LAT because she thinks that LAT took MO in to get him into Ole Miss. It is slightly blue-tinted, and there are low shots on Miss Granger to make her look more powerful, and high shots on MO to make him look more vulnerable. MO is out of his element – surrounded by metal, glass and tall buildings. Extreme close-up of Michael’s

reaction to her information - extreme doubt. The scene ends with MO confronting LAT – “Don’t you dare lie to me.”

2nd NCAA Interview SceneFollows scene where MO and LAT talk about Michael’s future, she says she will accept any decision he makes.MO and Miss Granger are on the same level, no blue background or big buildings in the background. They are closer together, the lighting is warm and MO is wearing a red shirt. He is confident and they are portrayed as equally powerful.