Yes, inspirational, but thankfully not cheesy

Rating: 9/10 (18 February 2010)

"Another inspirational sports film," was what I read on IMDb before watching the movie. Not exactly what I like so I went into the movie expecting cheese, or worse, boring cheese. Hence I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy the movie, which could've fallen on the wrong side of "inspirational" but didn't, largely thanks to the charms of Sandra Bullock.
The movie was undoubtedly fluffy despite it being based on a true story, but I thought director John Lee Hancock did well in not creating any overly-schmaltzy scenes in which I would cringe. I really don't mind feel-good movies as long as the director doesn't get heavy-handed with heart strings-tugging techniques.
The star of the movie is undoubtedly Bullock, who is radiant and charming. It's not a big dramatic role that requires all sorts of emotions but neither was Erin Brocovich, and that got Julia Roberts her Oscar. Sometimes all it takes is the right vehicle for an actor's brand of luminescence.