Delightful and thought-provoking

Rating: 8/10 (19 May 2010)

Saw it at the theater, and when it hit DVD release, thought "why not?" And I'm glad I saw it again. Missed a few things the first time around.
As other commenter's have said, it is a true story, told well and in a touching manner. You can almost feel Micnael's disbelief when he is asked to spend the night with the Touhey family. And you can definitely feel the bonds of the family coming together around him.
Perhaps the best scene, and probably what pushed Sandra to the Oscar, is the speech she gives to Michael on the football field, helping him to see his key role on the team. And the scene, towards the end in which she 'confronts the thugs' where Michael used to live. Her delivery of 'yeah, and it shoots well the other days of the week, too'. You don't see it coming and it has a little extra impact because of it.
The comparison of the family members football players' slots was so moving and well-scripted. That's the scene that I will play over in my head until the next time I rent the movie! Stay strong Sandra, like you were in this movie!