The Movie that Blind Sided Me

So tonight was supposed to be my movie night with Nat, but I was stuck at work and her daughter had a project so we postponed until next week. My husband and I ended up watching The Blind Side together.
While we were driving to the theatre, I was checking the reviews on the film, and everyone was using words like uplifting and heartwarming. It made me a bit nervous. Were the next two hours going to be filled with Titanic like over drama and emotion. Will it drain me with it's soggy sappiness?
Within the first few minutes of the opening monologue, it was clear that this wasn't the over emotional drama that I had been expecting. The story is true, the people are real and the situations were honest. The Blind Side is the true story of the underprivileged Michael Oher and his life challenges and opportunities he had while becoming an All American Football Champion.
What really impressed me about the movie...(well to be honest many things impressed me about the film) was it's ability to to tell the story in a clear and relaxed manner. They didn't overdo it with sappy, overdone emotional situations, they simply told the story which was powerful enough.
The acting was excellent. What a wonderful vehicle for Sandra Bullock. Finally some work that she can really sink her teeth into and make her own. I think that this was my favorite performance of hers to date and completely different from all her other work. She was charming and driven and powerful. Tim McGraw plays her understated partner who understands that sometimes less is more and often chooses his battles and words carefully. Their children played by Jae Head and Lily Collins are fantastic. They are smart and funny and able to keep up with their mother's energy easily. It was wonderful to watch the development of the relationship between the children, how easy we forget how good we really have it until someone shows us that they never had it at all. Quinton Aaron is the amazing Michael Oher. Such a kind and gentle soul, it makes me smile to think of him on the football field. In some ways it's an oxymoron, but in others it fits seamlessly.
The writing was smart, funny and quick. The direction was supportive and let the story tell it's tale instead of using emotional ploys to ignite the audience. I think that with award season coming up, this will be a film to get people talking. The performances were outstanding, the writing was honest and poignant and the story is as I had previously read...heartwarming. I don't know if I would ever be able to get my father to watch this...it may be too poignant for him, but for anyone else who would like to spend two hours with an incredible cast watching an inspiring true story, go and see this movie. The courageous tale of his personal struggle challenges me to think about how I live my life. I wonder if I could be as courageous as Michael is. Sometimes it's easier to watch courage on the big screen instead of living it personally. How much richer would our lives be with true courage...it's exciting to think.