THE BLIND SIDE ***

The term steel magnolia could have been invented for LEIGH ANNE ROBERTS TUOHY (SANDRA BULLOCK).

She’s an interior decorator with a privileged life in Memphis. Her husband is SEAN TUOHY (TIM McGRAW). Their young son SEAN JR. is generally known as SJ (JAE HEAD). They also have a teenage daughter named COLLINS (LILY COLLINS).

Even though the twenty first century has dawned, Leigh Anne is like many southern women before her. She is very aware of her own femininity and the distracting sex appeal that she possesses. Her taste is impeccable. She is always immaculately groomed and dressed luxuriously and tastefully in the latest fashion.

However, Leigh Anne is an unstoppable force of nature when she’s reached a decision. She rarely has to raise her voice. Her presence is powerful and she definitely has her own opinions. When she wants something, she goes out and gets it.

For their own peace of mind, people should think twice about getting in her way. She will decimate any barrier in sight.

Leigh Anne has no comprehension that her pleasant idyllic family life is about to come to an end. But this formidable woman could easily rise to any challenge presented to her.

She will need every last bit of strength and fortitude that she has.

Due to an acquaintance’s intervention, MICHAEL OHER (QUINTON AARON) becomes enrolled at the school that SJ and Collins both attend. Michael is seventeen – extremely tall and strongly built. When the educational institution’s athletics coach watches him play basketball outside, he knows that Michael has serious athletic ability.

But he has a difficult troubled past.

Michael’s mother was a drug addict. His father disappeared years ago. He’s been in and out of foster homes and attended 11 different schools in a decade. His grade point average is practically nonexistent.

The teachers have a discreet meeting about him after he has been admitted as a special needs student. It’s obvious that he’s not understanding the lessons. He has no idea how to learn. Without solid grades, he won’t be allowed to continue attending. Certainly playing football will be out of the question.

The staff privately throw up their hands in exasperation. It seems to be an impossible situation. But then a ray of hope appears.

Michael clearly has a talent for writing. He can express himself through words. After testing, it’s obvious that he is extremely intelligent and resourceful. All he needs is motivation and someone to show him the way.

But there are other problems clouding the horizon.

Michael has never had an actual family or any kind of affection or caring. He is the only African American student among hundreds of caucasian kids. He is horribly lonely. His entire being radiates sadness and misery.

After months of no conversations or connections with anyone, Michael runs into SJ. He’s a real live wire. SJ has no problem approaching anybody.

But things get worse for Michael before they get better. The friend that helped him get into the school has a wife that is no longer comfortable with Michael sharing their residence. Michael has nowhere to go and no one to turn to.

He has nothing but the clothes on his back. He carries his belongings in a plastic bag.

Leigh Anne has seen Michael before but never talked to him. On a crisp fall evening, she and her family are returning from a game when they spot him going back to the gym where it’s warm.

Leigh Anne is shocked. This is completely unacceptable to her. She tells Michael to get in their vehicle and come home with them.

Michael stays the night. Leigh Anne looks into his background and finds out what’s been going on in his life.

Unlike most conservative Republicans, she puts her money where her mouth is. Leigh Anne is infuriated that a decent young man like Michael has lived such a bleak, disheartening existence. She decides that she’s going to help him make something of himself.

There will be many obstacles before Michael can ever play football. His grades have to be at a particular level. There is another thing that she hadn’t counted on. A lot of people (including her friends) harbour a great deal of negativity over the fact that Michael is living with her family.

For Leigh Anne, it’s simply the right thing to do. The questioning of her motivations continues over time.

But nothing will ever silence this forthright daughter of the south. Leigh Anne is the master of her own destiny. You wouldn’t dare to be on the other side of a disagreement with her. She won’t willingly concede to anyone.

THE BLIND SIDE is based on the book by Michael Lewis. Director JOHN LEE HANCOCK brings this real life tale to the screen in a stalwart straight forward manner.

Singer TIM McGRAW shows some natural ability as Leigh Anne’s supportive spouse.

JAE HEAD and LILY COLLINS are both terrific.

SANDRA BULLOCK is an attractive woman. But she has never looked better. Her character’s strong, fiery personality is offset by endless charm, cascading blonde hair, perfect makeup and a thoroughly amazing wardrobe. She definitely makes the most of it.

This is easily the best work that she has ever done in her entire career. Her accent is polished and authentic. She is completely believable as LEIGH ANNE.

QUINTON AARON effectively shatters your heart into a million pieces. He never needs dialogue to clarify his emotional base. You know how he’s feeling the moment you catch a glimpse of him. He is supremely gifted.

He’s going to be a very big star.

Make no mistake. In many respects THE BLIND SIDE is a typical shameless tear jerker that’s been positioned as potential awards bait.

What elevates it and separates it from the pack are the two exceptional performances from Ms. Bullock and Mr. Aaron. They deserve every bit of credit imaginable.

But one thing is unchanged. I still don’t give a damn about football.