The Blind Side - Paul's review

The Blind Side opens by telling us that 'the blind side' is what an American Football player does not see. He thinks he's got it all figured out, but then bam! He didn't see that coming. Its obvious double-meaning is that Sandra Bullock's character too is blindsided when her perfect life is changed by her encounter with Michael, a gentle giant of a boy who she invites to live with her and her family. There is, however, little 'blind side' for us viewers: the story plays out as you might expect. Maybe it's too much to wish for a movie like this to be as touching as it is, and yet still steer away from predictability, but that said, the story is a good one, and especially hits home when you realise it's a true one too.

The film famously earned Sandra Bullock her Best Actress Oscar, and it does have the 'worthy' connotations that go with that. The good news is that it doesn't have the bleakness or dullness that can be associated with worthy movies - it is a good story, well-told, solidly (if not astonishingly) acted, and it never veers below its 12A rating. It does mean the gangland scenes lacks the authentic language you'd get in a 15- or 18-rated film, but on the plus side, it means that you know the rags-to-riches tale, which will inevitably have its dark moments, never goes too dark.

If I were to get critical, my one other reservation is that it is very, very 'American' - everything from American football (which I didn't understand) to AGPs and SATs (which I didn't understand) weren't explained to the overseas market as well as, say, the rugby was in Invictus. But get past those references and you'll find an affecting, personal drama that gives us the sort of film Sandra Bullock should be making more of. More of these please, Sandra, less All About Steves.