The Blind Side

If ever Sandra Bullock had Oscar nomination potential, it comes in her canny performance as a Southern Republican with a heart of gold. Bullock nails the Memphis accent and attitude of her character Leigh Anne Tuoughy, a white family woman of privilege who takes into her home African-American Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron), an over-sized high school senior athlete from a broken home in the ghetto. With the help of her family, and a few friends, Leigh Anne gives Michael the academic and home life he needs to be a successful college football player. Writer/director John Lee Hancock's formulaic adaptation of Michael Lewis's book "The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game," isn't above slipping into music video sequences, but the script's recipe works seamlessly with sound ensemble performances and high production values all around. "The Blind Side" expresses a racially and emotionally charged portrait of coded Southern mannerisms and passive aggressive politeness. Although it's ostensibly a sports movie, it's moreover a character study of how families take care of one another. Sandra Bullock deserves that Oscar nomination if she gets it. 

Rated PG-13. 128 mins. (B) (Three Stars)