The Blind Side - 3.5 out of 4 Stars

Who Would Love This Movie: People looking for a feel good comedy

Best Mood to Walk In With: Hopeful

Don't See This Movie If: You don't like dramatized films of real life inspirational stories

The Blind Side is surprisingly really good. Although it takes place in Memphis, and obviously was not shot there, I still really enjoyed it. (Big words coming from a Memphian!) And like most inspirational flicks, some impossibilities do occur (like Sandra Bullock's character going into the ghetto and challenging gun carrying thugs and making it out alive). But these things aside, The Blind Side served its purpose of inspiring and surprisingly also made me laugh often.

Despite what Bullock has said about how she's not the kind of actor who does work that wins awards, I think The Blind Side is completely dependent on her best performance yet. Without her remarkable and subtle performance, it would be too sugary sweet and over the top. Somehow, unbelievable, trite lines about how Michael, a boy from an underprivileged background, has changed her life seem less gag-worthy coming from Bullock's lips.

Although other performances are good, they're nothing to write home about. (Sorry Tim McGraw. Keep trying buckaroo.) However, possibly my favorite part of the movie is when the credits are rolling and you see footage of the real life Michael Oher with his family during career milestones. The movie itself is sentimental and moving, but the real story it is based on is heartwarming and a reminder of what open hearted people can do to change others' lives. The Blind Side made me proud to share a hometown with the Tuhoys.

Keep Your Ears Open For: The best line of the movie, "Who thought we'd have a Black son before we knew a Democrat?"

And Stay Aware That: As amazing it is to watch the film version of Oher escaping from the projects, let it be known that real life Memphis projects are much worse than portrayed in the film, making Oher's transition that much more incredible.

All in all, The Blind Side is a refreshingly touching movie that somehow excels amongst its too Hollywood-contrived "inspirational" brethren. Definitely a hit, and definitely a movie for fans of Oher or fans of true life happy endings.

Movies Are Life. ~ K