By now everyone knows the story behind the Michael Lewis book and the John Lee Hancock directed movie, "The Blind Side." This review coincides with the release of the DVD.

“The Blind Side” is the mostly true story of football star Michael Oher and Leigh Anne Tuohy, played in an Oscar-winning performance by Sandra Bullock. In the film, Tuohy begins to notice Oher and finds something of a connection to him. With a combination of her faith and intuition, she pursues Oher to afford him a better life. This involves bringing Oher – a poor and underachieving black man from the other side of the railroad tracks – into her white, upper class world. As Oher lives with the family, Tuohy recognizes a gift in Oher that she directly correlates to football, and the mentoring begins.

“The Blind Side” is not the type of movie I’d normally go out to see in the theaters. The story does not initially appeal to me due to what appears to be a largely routine, predictable affair. I know that there will be a standard set-up, momentum, conflict, and finally “inspiring” resolution to the story. It looks like an updated version of “Remember the Titans,” a film I passively enjoyed but only mildly cared about.

However, I saw “The Blind Side” with my family in the theater and found myself really getting into the film. It took me by surprise for several reasons: The cross-cultural aspect of the film may be simplified, but I like how it asks “what if?” regarding the cultural divide. People make assumptions about one another due to race and status on both sides of the coin in the film, but the centerpiece characters are obviously enriched because of their experience.

The film also fairly challenges the motives of Bullock’s character. Was she hand picking football players? What if Oher was a short, scrawny black kid? Would the results have been the same? Last, I enjoyed the country club restaurant sequences where the film nicely pokes fun at the socio-economic divides where the rich, detached wives talk about their charities while munching down overpriced appetizers and salads.

Perhaps most enjoyable was the way in which the film reminds us to see the gifts in others and pursue those gifts. Thanks to Tuohy’s ability to see a gift in Oher, she enabled him to bring his talents out. This type of mentorship is one in which we see the strengths in others and focus on those strengths to help them overcome the challenges they face. Just as importantly, Tuohy was changed by Oher.  

I find that many assume that in these types of relationships – rich/poor, missionary/non-converted, etc – that we assume it is only one side of the relationship who will be making the change in the other's life. Oher reached out to Tuohy, as evidenced by the fact that the film shows Oher being adopted into the family. It is inspiring to see film’s like this that are unabashedly in love with their subjects and how the power of team athletics create a community in which others push one another to greatness. My movie snobbery was once again humbled. I liked “The Blind Side.”

In honor of the film's recent DVD release, we are going to give away 3 copies of the film on DVD. Here is what you need to do: In the comments section below, tell me about one or two films you have seen that caught you by surprise. Either you were expecting to love them but didn’t, or you weren’t expecting anything and ended up being pleasantly surprised. Or, if you have adopted someone to live in your home that you met on the street, that will qualify too. Or just the film’s is fine. Take your pick. I’ll choose the answers I like best. Good luck!