I generally roll my eyes at sports movies depicting some story of underdog triumph on the football field.  Show me a trailer for one of these films and it's all I can do to keep from yawning.  I was skeptical to say the least of "The Blind Side."  It's a football movie, with an underdog protagonist, and a happy ending that's evident in the trailer. Yet what separates it from the slew of sports movies that have come before it is that while it did make me roll my eyes a few times it was also honest and brave enough to make me put down my cynicism and just enjoy the movie.  

"The Blind Side" tells the amazing (and true!) story of Michael Oher, a once homeless kid who was drafted as a player for the Baltimore Ravens and signed a five year multi-million dollar contract. Of course no one reaches greatness by themselves and Oher is no different. Enter Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock), a straight talking, no-nonsense, well-to-do Southern woman who sees Oher walking without a coat in the cold and decides to take him in for one night. One night turns into two and so on until Oher is changing Leigh Anne's life as much as she and her family are changing his.

While the plot may sound generic (poor African-American is taken in by a rich white lady and prospers) the way it was handled was not. Instead of two hours of drawn out sports sequences we are treated to a movie that has warmth and promotes Christian values unapologetically while depicting the unique journey of this family who adopted a son who needed them as much as they need him.

The main focus of the film is the relationship between Oher and Tuohy-a mother-son relationship that grows slowly and benefits them both. This isn't just the story of a wealthy white woman rescuing a black boy; it is the story of how they unexpectedly changed each other's lives-Tuohy, by providing Oher with basic, as well as emotional needs, and Oher by bringing the family closer. The film also does a great job of showing the many forms and expressions love can take in a family.

This may be Oher's story but Bullock is definitely the star of this film. In less skilled hands the character of Leigh Ann Tuohy could easily have become a mere caricature of a God-fearing rich white lady from the South. Bullock brings the character an authenticity that makes one believe this could happen, which it did. Leigh Ann Tuohy is a real person and Sandra Bullock does a superb job of bringing her tenacity to life on the big screen and of making even the most over-used lines seem like they are coming from the heart. And she is funny, bringing some much needed comic relief to this sometimes serious tear-jerker.

"The Blind Side" does lay it on a bit thick in parts, but it is sincere in its desire to share a good story about people putting their Christianity into action. It's a true story that leans a bit on some well-worn clichés but ultimately delivers an inspiring and entertaining story about a family taking a risk and doing something wildly compassionate and the good that came from it. It reminds us that putting our love into action can be life-changing in the most unexpected ways for all parties involved, which is a wonderful thing to see played out on the big screen. Happy Holidays and Happy Movie Watching!