Every year, countless films claim to be the “feel-good movie of the year” and fail to pack the promised emotional punch. John Lee Hancock’s The Blind Side, however, will certainly have you reaching for Kleenex. Based on the true story of NFL offensive tackle Michael Oher, whose remarkable journey makes typical uplifting Hollywood tales seem lighthearted, The Blind Side is a saccharine story of terrible luck countered by incredible kindness. Big Mike is, well, big. He is also poor, quiet and apparently slow. The Tuohy family, led by loud-mouthed matriarch with a heart of gold, Leigh Anne (Sandra Bullock), and her husband, Sean (a surprisingly competent Tim McGraw), are comparatively wealthy, lively and quick-witted. The Tuohys take Mike in and send him to private school, where he ultimately develops into one of the most highly-touted football recruits in the country. This unlikely bond doesn’t go unnoticed by outsiders, though. They often question its legitimacy. Ultimately, the film is well-acted by the veteran cast, including Kathy Bates in an unexpected cameo as a Democrat amid a slew of well-off southern Republicans. The inexperienced younger actors, though, mostly serve as awkward comic relief. The Blind Side is worth watching if you enjoy a good cry every now and again, but this film won’t make it into the history books as anything more than that.
2 1/2 Stars
