The Blind Side Blind Sided Me With How Good It Is

Today I saw The Blind Side. Aside from not liking Sandra Bullock as a blond, this was one of the most delightful films I've seen in a while.

I went into it knowing it had gotten mixed reviews- the good mostly for Bullock's performance- but I wasn't entirely convinced it would exceed my expectations. It could have ended up a drippy, overly sugary sweet sports movie about persevering and overcoming all obstacles, which it kind of is, but it manages to balance that out with a sassy, tart mom with a mouth on her who knows a thing or two about protecting her family.

It's a story about a kid named Michael, Big Mike, from the projects of Memphis who gets picked up on the streets the night before Thanksgiving and offered a place to sleep by the Tuohys. Eventually Michael comes to feel like part of the family. For legalities' sake, the Tuohys ask Michael if he'd like to be an official member of the family. His response? "I thought I already was."

This family is almost too good to be true. And it's hard to look at Tim McGraw as Bullock's soft-hearted, easily influenced husband acting and not think he should be breaking into song. They must've really wanted someone from Tennessee to play the husband. Although without his facial hair you almost forget who he is. Jae Head plays the family son and attention hog, SJ. He was responsible for many of the laughs, especially when acting as Michael's agent while he was being recruited for colleges. "Tennessee offered me a walk on the field AND opportunity to flip the coin. What'll you give me?" And laughs were in abundance when Michael was in training for the fall football season and SJ acted as his coach. His entire body was the barbel that Michael lifted to build strength. SJ even stood on Michael's feet while he did sit-ups. Too cute.

The movie feels long, but it does satisfy that feel-good craving. Small dilemmas develop, but all are resolved leaving the audience joyful and with tears in their eyes. And just try holding them in as pictures of the real Tuohys and Michael appear on screen during the credits. I dare you.

While not yet nominated for any Oscars, the list for Best Actress is getting shorter and shorter and Sandra Bullock may just find herself on it for the first time. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for her.