The Blind Side: D+

"The Blind Side" is an excruciatingly wholesome inspirational drama that feels condescending, forced and fake from the get go. It's based on a true story, but these characters as rendered on screen show no resemblence to anyone in the real world.

Quinton Aaron is Michael Oher- a poor, borderline illiterate, and almost homeless. But he shows potential for football, so the coach at a tony Memphis Christian school gets him enrolled.
He soon attracts the attention of strong willed mom and interior decorator Sandra Bullock. Bullock's look is strictly overpriced, borderline tacky. She's dressed to the nines, but still restrained in by a southern notion of presentability that prevents her from going all the way into Sopranos housewife territory.

For reasons never quite explained, Bullock invites the big black kid to stay at their home for the night and then to live with them.
She helps him learn how to read, play football, get a college scholarship, and onward from there.

It's innately uncomfortable to watch Bullock sashay through the projects with her impeccible makeup, fancy clothes and expensive cars. And the message that African Americans need the attention of rich white america to help them achieve anything is almost impossible to ignore.

Some may find Bullock's character to be a kind and gentle soul, but she struck me as a bullying bitch. Aaron's character Michael Oher is less a person than a prop used to make Bullock feel better about herself.
I found it impossible to believe that a child with as many serious problems as him would be an angelic gentle giant who could calm his personal demons just by shutting his eyes.

The whole experience is like a particularly earnest edition of The Hallmark Hall Of Fame without the benefit of the fast forward button.

The Blind Side: D+