This is a sweet story that just happens to be true. A story of success from gritty beginnings. Filmmakers bring it to the screen in a warm and entertaining way. I laughed, I cried, I rooted a young Michael Oher onward. It solidly deserves the A- I'm going to give it, but there a few hiccups.

Bothersome product placement leaves some scars. While the fast food plug flowed within the picture, the book store references and even books did not. Those felt injected afterwards (perhaps after the book store got on board, that I don't know). I found them embarrassing and counter to the tone.

The NCAA investigator scene also felt forced. My guess is this investigator was not a real person, but rather a personification of a collective dark cloud Leigh Anne felt over her head. In any case, I could have done without it.

Essentially, it's a hollywoody realization of a great real life triumph. But the picture does have it's nail hard moments, and some tight football sequences. Each scene takes its time, finds its own rhythm and goes for the heart. Nicely directed, acted and edited, on the whole.

Sandra Bullock says of her lead character, "How can you explain that kind of energy? By the end of one day with Leigh Anne, I was exhausted. She manages to do what she wants to do in the manner she wants to do it."