A wealthy white woman takes in a poor black teenager from a gang-ruled neighborhood and breaks through his wall of despair to care for him as her own child.

Rating: 9/10 (10 December 2009)

The best stories in life (and film) have simple plots and complicated, inspiring and intriguing characters.
I want to see the film again and here are two of my reasons:
Reason #1: I Don't Like Football
I've never understood the strategy, except "throw the ball and catch it, or try to stomp on any one on the opposing team." I admit that's a shallow understanding of the sport, but that's where I was, before I watched "The Blind Side" last night.
Sandra Bullock plays the mother, Leigh Anne. The film opens with her giving a play-by-play color commentary of a real football game, focusing on the role of one of the defensive linemen, the left tackle. I just might watch a football game this weekend. Even if I don't, this new awareness of how football works, or at least, how a part of it works, inspires me to see parallels in other parts of my life.
Reason #2: Sandra Bullock's character was a b - - - - h, and I mean that in the nicest possible way.
b - - - - h: The female of the canine kind, from Anglo Saxon, "bicce" (1949 Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary). By the 15th century the word was used to describe a bad woman. Why? It is helpful to look at how dog breeders and trainers regard the word, "b - - - - h" ("Male Dogs vs. Female Dogs: A Guide to Dog Behavior", by Mary Stasiewicz, http://www.howtodothings.com/pets-and-animals/a4104-how-to-choose- between-male-and-female-dogs.html).
"b - - - - hes tend to want to be in control of the entire situation. They may come to their owner when they are seeking affection but will often move away when they have had enough."
The mother, Leigh Anne, is an interior designer, shown in the beginning of the film on the phone, dictating requirements of a project to a supplier. She sounds firm, knowledgeable and in control. She makes decisions quickly, she sees the big picture, and she's obsessive about quality and appearance, in life and home. Leigh Anne's first response, in almost all situations, seems to be one of taking control and solving the problem by moving and shaking.
"In many packs, a b - - - - h is typically the Alpha dog. Female dogs crave more control of situations and are quick to respond to perceived challenges with fierceness."
Leigh Anne packs heat. She never pulls her gun out of her purse, but her strong words and "in your face" confrontation with bad-side-of-town tough guys who threaten her son leave no doubt: She's going to do whatever it takes to protect her own.
"Female dogs mark in the same way male dogs do. A spayed female may continue to mark for her entire lifetime regardless of when she is spayed while most males will cease marking behaviors shortly after they are neutered and the testosterone levels subside."
Leigh Anne's home is visually stunning, with beautiful furniture and art placed intimately and comfortably. She has a place, a room, for every purpose, designed and furnished for that purpose. From landscaping to the laundry room, and from great room to guest room, Leigh Anne's aesthetic marking behaviors are clearly seen.
"B - - - - hes are generally less affectionate and friendly than male dogs. This characteristic is noticeable in puppies and becomes more pronounced with age."
This is an interesting generalization. Discussing it with my wife, we couldn't definitely agree that this was true of Leigh Anne, or of women in general. The film offers a good representation of the complexity of human emotion and ambition. There were definitely instances when Leigh Anne demonstrated a business-like approach to solving family problems. However, she also showed a compassionate side, a weaker, softer, needy and caring side.
"It is also important to note that if you do not spay your b - - - - h, she will come into heat at approximately one year of age and approximately every six months thereafter. During this time, there will be some bleeding as well as a change in mood or behavior. Keep this in mind when you adopt a puppy and make the decision of whether or not to spay her."
I laughed when I considered comparing this characteristic of female dogs to women. The classic descriptor of a women enduring her monthly cycle of menstruation, or the hot flashes and moodiness of menopause, is the rough, vulgar term, "b - - - - hiness". Cute bumper stickers and T-shirt slogans testify to the reputation that hormonal changes in females is cause for extreme wariness for all that may consider interacting with them.
The film included no scenes that implied that hormones were involved in any of Leigh Anne's actions. But with a pistol in her purse, I would indeed tread softly if I were anywhere near her when she feels her pups were in danger!
Go see this film.
It will give you an itch to watch a football game this weekend. It will make you want to redecorate your living room. It may even inspire you to reach out in love to someone completely different from you, just for the joy of it!