Congratulations, Sandra! We are proud of you for your outstanding performance in The Blind Side, We are grateful for this substantive, entertaining, inspirational film! We in the Austin Film Industry are especially proud of you and this movie. Having seen The Blind Side in December 2009,I wrote that I thought you were a winner in this film. I guess I was not the only one who thought so because you, your cast members, and the film have now won numerous awards for performances in The Blind Side. 

Congratulations for your nomination for an Academy Award as Best Actress.

Congratulations for winning the Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama  this year for your work in this film!

Congratulations for tying with Meryl Streep for the Broadcast Film Critics Association Best Actress Award   this year for your performance in this movie!

You display substance and skill as an actor as you effectively play a real life Steel Magnolia, who develops in character as she provides for the neglected Gentle Giant, Michael Oher in The Blind Side. You entertain, uplift, and inspire us in this movie. You make us laugh, cry, and think. You honestly and convincingly play a real Christian woman, who like many real Christians, is doing great good in the world. You encourage us to value all human relationships at a time when we especially need this inspiration.

For many years I have been conducting research, writing, and presenting around the world on the power of role models in autobiographical stories. I think this work is especially significant today and can bring light into our dark world of personal, national, and international struggles. In redemptive autobiographical stories, we can find inspirational journeys of those who have persevered and overcome against great odds and high stakes. In The Blind Side we see parental and educational role models and a film that meets criteria of what makes an artistic, redemptive film.

I am glad to add this movie to my list of effective, enlightening, and entertaining redemptive movies. Thank you, Sandra, cast, crew, and real personalities in the story of The Blind Side. This film is an ongoing gift to those who see it.

See Dr. Diane Howard's other recent film reviews and publications.