She was among the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood and will turn 60 on Friday, July 26: On the occasion of Sandra Bullock’s milestone birthday, Sandra Bullock, Kabel Eins reflects on her life so far with the documentary “The Sandra Bullock Story” (Tuesday, July 23, 10:25 PM).
“The Sandra Bullock Story”: Live on Joyn and Kabel Eins on July 23
The documentary does not solely focus on Bullock’s successes in Hollywood, but also addresses her German roots and her childhood in Nuremberg. It traces her challenges when moving to the USA as well as her development into a strong personality who has also had to endure tragedies.
Hollywood expert Steven Gätjen says of the Oscar winner’s career:
“I think the exciting thing about Sandra Bullock is that she has never played the classic female role.
And further: “She has always been a person who took matters into her own hands. She was never, so to speak, the sidekick.”
The proof of Gätjen’s statement: five of her most significant films.
“Speed” (1994)
Sandra Bullock made it to the top tier of Hollywood stars alongside Keanu Reeves – and behind the wheel of an ordinary city bus from Santa Monica. In 1994, “Speed” became the hit of the summer. The plot of Jan de Bont’s thrilling high-speed spectacle is quite simple: The terrorist Payne (Dennis Hopper) places a bomb on a public bus that automatically activates when the vehicle speeds above 50 miles per hour. If the speed drops below 50 miles per hour, the bomb explodes. The bus driver Annie (Sandra Bullock) and cop Jack Traven (Keanu Reeves) have only one option: “Speed,” of course.
“Miss Congeniality” (2001)
The amusing crime story “Miss Congeniality” (2001) is also among Bullock’s great successes. After all, the film directed by Donald Petrie lives from its equally charming and busy lead actress.
“I wish for world peace!” This is how every attractive contestant sounds during the Miss United States pageant. Only Bullock, in her role as Gracie Hart, has other wishes. As an FBI agent, she conducts undercover investigations behind the scenes of the competition. Under the skilled hands of renowned beauty expert Victor Melling (Michael Caine), the tough Gracie is transformed into what was imagined as a contestant for the beauty pageant: a deceptively real fashion doll, of course, only for show.
Bullock proved her comedic skills as well in “The Proposal”, “The Heat” (2009) or “The Boss” (2013).
“The Lake House” (2006)
In 2006, Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves reunited over a decade after their explosive career start before the camera – with the slight problem of an insurmountable space-time barrier. The love drama “The Lake House” tells the story of a doctor (Bullock) who falls in love with an architect (Reeves) through a mailbox. Logic is less important to viewers than a sense of charmingly humorous yet delicate romance.
“The Blind Side” (2009)
In “The Blind Side” (2009), superstar Sandra Bullock shines, blonder, tough, and emotional, taking the viewer into an American upper class that has not yet lost touch with the little people. For this performance, Bullock was awarded her coveted first Oscar at the Oscar ceremony in 2010.
John Lee Hancock’s moving drama tells the true story of black teenager Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron), who was taken in by a rather affluent All-American family and becomes a football star. The drama, in which Bullock convincingly plays Michael’s caring stepmother, is primarily a tribute to the American Dream, but also an appeal for tolerance, faith, and the abilities of every individual.
The film airs on Wednesday, July 24, at 8:15 PM on Kabel Eins.
“Gravity” (2013)
For the second time, Sandra Bullock had the opportunity to accept the Oscar in 2014, for her impressive portrayal of a fearless astronaut in “Gravity.” Besides Bullock’s performance, the sci-fi thriller from space is striking for its fantastic visuals. Director Alfonso Cuarón created one of the most fascinating films of the year in 2013.
For Dr. Ryan Stone (Bullock), the repairs on the Hubble Space Telescope are her first mission; for space veteran Matt Kowalsky (George Clooney), on the other hand, it is his last. However, after the Russian government shoots down an outdated satellite somewhere in orbit, the routine mission turns into a nightmare: Flying debris not only destroys the telescope but also the shuttle – making the journey home almost impossible. Almost. But a small chance of survival remains.