The Blind Side is different than I expected. For starters, I don’t like sports movies, pretty much as a rule, because I don’t really like sports. But, like Invictus, which I reviewed earlier, The Blind Side isn’t so much about sports as it is about the human condition, hope, and faith. But, while it was different in that the sports aspect was pretty much glossed over, it wasn’t too different than everything else out there and what you ultimately have on your hands here is a feel-good movie. A feel-good movie done well, but a feel-good movie nonetheless.

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Invictus is a movie about the end of apartheid in South Africa and the early part of the presidency of Nelson Mandela, disguised as a sports film. It’s interesting and engaging and Morgan Freeman’s portrayal of Nelson Mandela would’ve easily won an Oscar if he were not pitted against Jeff Bridge’s inspiring performance in Crazy Heart.

The first thing that surprised me about Invictus is that it was directed by Clint Eastwood. I didn’t know that going in, didn’t notice that while I was watching, and was surprised only to learn it later. It didn’t feel like an Eastwood film, not in the least, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it just didn’t have the tone of the movies he usually makes. It’s a good movie, but not the kind of cinema that we’re used to from Eastwood. I can’t quite put my finger on what’s missing, but I can try.

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