‘The Blind Side’: I Smell an Oscar

At first glance, this sports drama is another football vehicle in the vein of Facing the Giants or Remember the Titans, where the main characters have internal or team challenges to overcome in order to beat the opposing team and succeed in life. After all, the term “blind side” is a football term.

But this movie is really more about two things: believing that you can have a better life if you can apply yourself through hard work and believing in the goodness of humanity. Actually, in the end, the film is really about change, change for the better.

Sandra Bullock not only looks amazing in this film, but she also really does a wonderful job of portraying a very different type of woman than we have seen her play. Bullock’s typical comic or anal idiosyncrasies fall away and suddenly you aren’t watching Bullock on screen anymore. Instead, you are pulled into the life of strong, Southern socialite Leigh Anne Tuohy as she rallies around her new cause, a young and talented athlete from the projects called Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron).

Bullock and a surprisingly outstanding Tim McGraw (sans hat, crooning style, and gotee) as Sean Tuohy make a very natural couple. They are completely believable as the Memphis natives with hearts of gold. And what is even more amazing is that the film denotes this married couple as Christian – and they are portrayed as good people. Whoa! How many times do you see that at the box office?

This film, based on a true story, will make you laugh and it will pull on your heartstrings. You will be biting your nails, debating, strategizing, chuckling, and cheering at the appropriate moments.

Don’t miss this PG-13 film from John Lee Hancock at the box office. I highly recommend you take your family to see this over Thanksgiving or make it a date movie. I can’t say enough good things about this film. Outstanding script, acting, directing – my praise goes on and on.

—  Laura J. Bagby