Let’s get one thing straight coming out of the box, I love sports movies. If you are looking for ruthless objectivity you have come to the wrong place. I am a sports guy reviewing a sports movie not movie guy who is more concerned about where this movie ranks next to Citizen Cane (which, by the way, stunk).

The Blind Side was based on the Michael Lewis book of the same name. It recounts the story of Michael Oher and his life. It focuses mostly on his relationship with the Tuohy family. The story itself has it all. The life of this young man was truly a tragedy. The scenes that involve Michael and his biological family are truly poignant. His mother’s situation is heart-rending and the movie does a great job of portraying, whether accurately or not, the hopelessness of situations like Michael’s. The transformation of his life and his resiliency in the face of it all are amazing. Too, watching the way the Tuohy’s cared for him remind me of the inherent goodness we are all capable of. The only time I was really uneasy during the film was the cameo’s of then Tennessee coach Phillip Fullmer, and then LSU coach Nick Saban. Having a litany of recruiting coaches parade through the house was a little schmaltzy, especially the Saban one, as he looked about as comfortable as Danny DeVito in a speedo. While on the one hand it was pure fromage and looked like these guys agreed to the cameos only to further today’s recruiting, it is a sports movie, and that kind of stuff is allowed.The other acting was quite good, Bullock was excellent and Quinton Aaron,the young man who played Michael was compelling. Tim McGraw wasn’t too bad either. You can tell he has a ways to go as an actor but he didn’t embarrass himself at all and the dude undeniably has charisma.

All in all it was a great movie and is a must see for anyone who likes a great story.

What to Look For

Lou Holtz – By far the most natural and comfortable of all the cameo’s, even if he is a little crazy.

Nick Saban doing his impersonation of a cross between a wooden plank and a cardboard cut out.

Finally, my favorite scene, where Bullock’s character Leigh Anne in high heels goes out in the field and delivers a Vince Lombardi-like speech to Michael, the QB and the running back.