In my humble opinion, The Blind Side is really good. It’s really good in the way that it’s enjoyable to watch, and leaves you with a good feeling. Is it great art? No way. Plus there are moments that are downright Hallmark-y. Some of the characters come across as stereotypical. It’s not a particularly deep treatment of its themes. The detractors will say all this and more. But I just really liked this movie.  You’ll never see Sandra Bullock any better than here, in her embodiment of Leigh Ann Tuohy, a Southern woman with a big heart and a small tolerance for bull. Tim McGraw turns in a fine, if understated, performance as Leigh Anne’s husband Sean, and the other kids in this family are S.J., played marvelously by newcomer Jae Head, and Collins, a well-acted role for Lily Collins.

In case you don’t know the background, The Blind Side is based on the true story of Michael Oher, a Baltimore Ravens offensive left tackle, who was taken in by the Tuohy family as an essentially homeless teen. We see Michael go from a barely literate, misunderstood misfit in his private Christian school, to a young man who owns a sense of belonging and accomplishment. The Tuohy’s demonstrate the true meaning of giving, but Leigh Anne is quick to insist that they are on the receiving end of this life-changing experience. There are many moments in this film where a life lesson pops up, but one of its beauties is that these lessons don’t clobber you over the head, and are delivered in such an entertaining way.

It doesn’t hurt that you get a couple of cool actors like Kathy Bates (isn’t it time to see Misery again?) and Kim Dickens (check out her starring role in a powerful indie, Things Behind the Sun) to portray Michael’s teachers. There’s also a trio of actresses whose characters get across the point of old money and deeply ingrained racism as the gaggle of Leigh Anne’s gal pals.

But in the end, it’s Sandy’s movie. She really did earn that Oscar. (Do check out Carey Mulligan in An Education, out next week, for some wonderful acting chops as well). She gives us an almost iconic character, and it’s fun to watch her in those tight outfits.

This could be an ideal family movie, but with one caveat. There’s a scene in a crack house that, although brief, involves drugs, violence, and sexual references. Even still, I think it’s got enough redeeming qualities to be basically appropriate for kids in the 9 and older range, but it will of course depend on the parents and the kids. Oh, and if you have the impression that it’s a football movie, it totally is not. Just a few scenes on the field.

Lastly, the writer-director, John Lee Hancock. He also wrote A Perfect World, one of my all-time favorite movies, and Midnight In the Garden of Good and Evil, another winner in my mind.

If this hadn’t been a year where ten movies were nominated for Best Picture, no way would The Blind Side have made it. But it’s been hugely popular and there’s a reason: it’s a good movie. – [DVD] [Blu-Ray]

Biography/Drama/Sport

Rated PG-13

DVD Release Date: 3/23/10

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