Cast: Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Quinton Aaron, Kathy Bates

Director: Lee Hancock

Screenwriters: Lee Hancock (screenplay), Michael Lewis (book)

Well, who’d have thought it? America’s sweetheart, Sandra Bullock, has bagged herself an Oscar. Although a hugely likeable and bankable actress, her performances and , more specifically, her film choices (Speed 2:Cruise Control; Forces Of Nature) have rarely, if ever, wowed the critics. In fact, she picked up a Razzie for Worst Actress for All About Steve on the eve of her Oscar glory (and turned up in person to collect the anti-Baldie statuette), making the fact that she, a first-time nominee, walked away with the Best Actress gong for her role in The Blind Side even more remarkable.

The Blind Side, a screenwriter’s dream, tells the true story of NFL American football star Michael Oher. The gentle giant, played with great sensitivity by Quinton Aaron, had a tough start in life: born to a crack-addict mother and raised on the tough streets of Hurt Village in Memphis, it seemed certain that his athletic ability would never be realised. Surviving on his own and virtually homeless, Leigh Anne Tuohy (Bullock) spots the troubled teen on a freezing night as he walks the streets and decides to take him in.

The privileged Tuohy family quickly take Oher to their hearts and he, in turn, leads them to make some self-discoveries of their own, making them realise how blessed they are. The family, which eventually ends up adopting Oher, helps the youngster both on and off the football field. With the help of tutor Miss Sue (Kathy Bates), Oher manages to improve his grades and end up being courted by colleges across the country, all keen to sign up the rising sporting star.

However, it’s not all plain sailing. The National Collegiate Athletic Association suspected that the Tuohys had taken Oher in order to secure his services as a player for their favorite college the University of Mississippi, a matter, which is perhaps touched on too briefly and lightly in the film.

Of course you know everything will turn out ok, and, yes, it is a little cheesy in places, namely most of the scenes featuring the Tuohy’s young son SJ. But The Blind Side is still a heart-warming and inspirational little tale, and one that is all the more so given that it is a true story.

Bullock’s performance is not a revelation, it has to be said, but it is accomplished, assured, and really quite good. Leigh Anne Tuohy is a gift of a part reminiscent in many ways of Erin Brockovich, another ballsy cinematic blond rooted in a real life character. In fact, Julia Roberts, who played Brockovich to Oscar glory, was the first choice for the part. For the cynics, it’s a rags-to-riches tale with plenty of life lessons learnt, but it is genuinely uplifting and reminds you that sometimes real-life Hollywood happy endings do happen.

By Louise Meeson

The Blind Side is out on 26 March courtesy of Warner Bros.