THE BLIND SIDE

CAROLINE: I was so excited to see “The Blind Side,” mainly because of Sandra Bullock. Plus I always enjoy a heartwarming movie; especially when it’s based on a true sorry.

RYAN: I just couldn’t be bothered to care about this one. It looks so schmaltzy I just had to allow myself to skip it. What did you think?

CAROLINE: It kind of disappointed me. I think it was trying too hard. Sandra B. is very good and totally believable, but the movie… not so much.

RYAN: I was worried this was her desperate attempt to channel Julia Roberts in “Erin Brockovich.” How’s her bad blonde hair and Southern accent?

CAROLINE: Actually, both are great. She’s very convincing in the role of a tough but loving Mom. The story itself is very good – it’s about a wealthy white family in Memphis who takes in a poor, uneducated black boy and basically adopts him. He becomes an athlete and now he plays for the Baltimore Ravens. I was so ready to cry and get really into the story, but I never did.

RYAN: Was it very badly written?

CAROLINE: I think that was part of the problem. It definitely felt cheesy and almost After School Special-ish at times. It tackles some good themes, but I never got as into it as much as I thought I would. I didn’t even shed one tear; though I did well up once or twice.

RYAN: Please, what’s there to cry about?

CAROLINE: It’s a touching story! I just wasn’t feeling it… mostly because the kid who plays the football player is such a bad actor. I didn’t buy him at all. And you can never tell if his character is mentally challenged or just uneducated. He barely speaks for most of the movie. I wish they’d showed us more of his back story.

RYAN: Sounds like you were underwhelmed.

CAROLINE: A little bit, yes. I just don’t think anyone would be talking about this movie if Sandy Bullock weren’t in it.

RYAN: Anyone else in it worth mentioning?

CAROLINE: Tim McGraw plays the husband but he only has a few scenes. He does have one of the funniest lines in the movie though. And Kathy Bates plays the woman who tutors the football kid. She’s great as always.

— BOTTOM LINE —

CAROLINE: This movie has the feel-good sentiment that’s perfect for this time of year; I just wish it was a better film. The characters, especially the main kid, weren’t fleshed out enough for me. They touched on a lot of themes and story lines, but not deeply enough. I liked Sandra Bullock a lot, but the movie is only so-so.

— RATING —