The Blind Side, written and directed by John Lee Hancock, recounts the life of Michael Oher, renowned offensive lineman for the Baltimore Ravens. The film is based on the 2006 book titled The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis.The film opens with a quarterback getting creamed. This is to demonstrate the blind side a right-handed quarterback has when he throws a ball because he has men coming behind him. Therefore, the most important protection for the quarterback is the left tackle on the offensive line; in this case, Michael Oher, played by Quentin Aaron.

Oher was a first-round draft pick for the Baltimore Ravens in 2009. However, his life was not always so alluring. The film documents his hard-knock life as an impoverished teenager and his struggles to make it to the top with help from the Tuohy family.

Oher lived in the slums of Memphis, Tenn. His drug-addicted mother left him to foster care for 17 years. Oher would stray from the families he was given and was in and out of different public schools with failing grades. Then, one of his foster parents enrolled him in a Christian school.

The school was predominantly white, and the massive Oher stuck out like a sore thumb. Not only did his appearance make him stand out, but his lack of participation and enthusiasm for his studies alarmed his teachers and made them question his acceptance into the institution.

Oher's struggles to fit in are turned around when Leigh Anne Tuohy, played by Sandra Bullock, jumps out of her BMW when she sees him walking the streets on a cold night with only a T-shirt and shorts on. Tuohy realizes he has nowhere to stay and welcomes him into her home for the night. Before bed, she ponders whether Oher will steal from her immaculate and gorgeous home (she is an interior designer, and clearly she and her husband are doing quite well). Oher does not steal, and in the morning she wakes up to find the bed she made for him with the sheets neatly folded.

She runs after Oher and before we know it, he becomes part of the Tuohy family. They get him a tutor to raise his GPA, and in the film, Oher learns how to play football. The coach, who initially convinced admissions into letting him in the institution, questions himself. (However, that is for Hollywood effect-Oher was a naturally gifted ballplayer and knew how to play). Bullock's performance was stellar; there is a scene where she is on the football field with Oher and his teammates giving him the pep talk of a lifetime.

Not only is Bullock persuasive and witty as Mrs. Tuohy, she externally encapsulates a "lady who lunches" in Memphis country club society. She gives her friends at the club a run for their money when they make racist remarks about Michael. One of her "friends" at the table wonders if Tuohy's daughter, Collins, is safe in the household with Michael there, since they are the same age. Tuohy is quick to put her in her place. Bullock's blonde hair, preppy attire, and in-your-face personality as Mrs. Tuohy won me over.

Aaron, the actor who played Oher, was actually lifted out of the slums to play the part; he was formerly a bodyguard. Since Oher's childhood hit close to home for Aaron, he provided a very believable performace.

The film was emotional and uplifting. The quality acting really earn this film a thumbs up. Knowing this was a true story only adds to the likeableness of the film. Like me, you may even learn something about football!