Release Date: February 25
Running time: 128 mins
Rating: PG

During the first round of the 2009 NFL draft, Michael Oher was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens. The Blindside is based on how he got to this point after a childhood which consisted of foster homes, an interrupted education and bouts of homelessness. Written and directed by John Lee Hancock, the film is based in the 2006 book The Blindside: evolution of a game by Michael Lewis.

The film begins with Michael (played by Quinton Aaron) enrolling at a Christian school in Memphis, after the father of a friend he is staying with convinces the coach that he is a natural-born athlete. However, ‘Big Mike,’ as the kids at his new school call him, is a fish out of water and struggles both academically and socially. Not long after this Michael finds himself without a roof over his head, after the family he is staying with tell him that they can no longer afford to support him. Enter Sandra Bullock as Leigh Anne Tuohy, a formidable Southern housewife whose children attend the same school as Michael. After seeing him walking along the side of the road at night, wearing only a t-shirt and shorts in freezing weather, she offers Michael her couch for the night.  This act of kindness changes both of their lives.

One night turns into many and Michael becomes a part of the wealthy Touhy family, to the dismay of some members of the community. Slowly Leigh Anne, her husband Sean (Tim McGraw), teenage daughter Collins (Lily Collins) and precocious son S.J (Jae Head) learn more about Michael and his past. This past includes a mother addicted to cocaine and a poor academic record. Leigh Anne sees in Michael what others have missed. In particular she notices his fierce loyalty and his strong protective instincts. These characteristics combined with his height and stocky build lead Leigh Anne, Sean and their children to encourage Michael to join the school football team (after his grades improve with the help of a private tutor played by Kathy Bates). He then becomes one of the team’s most talented players and attracts the interest of football scouts from a variety of major colleges.

The Blindside is probably one of Sandra Bullock’s better films in recent times (especially considering her role in last year’s terrible All About Steve). Her portrayal of the tough-talking but heart-of-gold Leigh Anne is touching and adds real emotion to the film. Bullock has been nominated for an Academy Award and has already won a Critics Choice Award (tying with Meryl Streep), a Golden Globe, a Screen Actors Guild award and a People’s Choice Award for her role .

While the film is a moving representation of the relationship between Michael and the Tuohy family, I found that it brushed over many of the more negative issues, which were a part of the story. The film does not delve deeply into Michael’s past and only shows glimpses of what he has faced.  Similarly, the Touhy family is portrayed as being a little too perfect. This seems slightly unrealistic as it would be assumed that the family might be a little unsettled or that some problems may arise after taking in young man (and virtual stranger) with a troubled past.

Apart from this, the film is for the most part enjoyable and inspiring. In particular, I found the relationship between Leigh Anne Tuohy and Michael Oher to be one of the most beautiful aspects of the movie. The pair share an interesting bond and although they are initially strangers they quickly come to see each other as mother and son. The Blindside provides an insight into an incredible true story of how one kind act can change a person (or a family's) life forever. However, sports fans should take note that although this film is about football it is by no means a ‘football film’ in the strain of Friday Night Lights or Remember the Titans.