Predictable but entertaining Bullock offering

The Blind Side

(Cert 12, 128 mins, Drama)

Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock) is a fervently Christian housewife in Memphis, Tennessee, who enjoys a privileged life with her husband Sean (Tim McGraw) and children Lily (Lily Collins) and SJ (Jae Head).

Driving home one night, Leigh spots one of the youngsters’ classmates — Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron) — wandering along the road and offers the homeless, black teenager a roof for the night.

The matriarch takes pity on Michael and offers him a room and encourages the lad to improve his grades and chase the possibility of an American football scholarship.

However, Michael’s abusive past haunts him and he returns to the housing project where he grew up to try to track down his mother.

Inspired by a true story, The Blind Side tugs every heartstring and ticks off every cliche including a saccharine moment when one of Leigh Anne’s friends gushes: “You’re changing that boy’s life,” and she responds, all dewy-eyed: “No, he’s changing mine.” Yet, predictable as it may be, John Lee Hancock’s film gets under our skin, captained by Bullock’s hugely entertaining and Oscar-winning lead performance.

Rating: ***