A bright white light flashes across the screen as a helmet slams into the ground. Bodies crash into each other, and a body goes down — staying down.

The opening scene of John Lee Hancock’s newest film “The Blind Side” is incredibly powerful. The heartwarming, true story of Michael Oher’s (Quinton Aaron) life captivates the audience from the minute Michael is introduced on screen.

Hancock, director of “My Dog Skip” and “The Rookie,” stays true to his love of uplifting stories that are enjoyable for the whole family. With the use of football action scenes and an inspirational message, this film proves to be a win for all members of the family.

Leigh Anne (Sandra Bullock) and Sean Tuohy (Tim McGraw) and their well-to-do southern family take Michael from his broken home after finding him walking on the streets in the rain and make him one of their own. In the end, Michael’s struggles with his absent mother, lack of education and the stereotypes he deals with as an African-American teach the Tuohy’s a valuable lesson about family.

The cast of this movie is brilliant. Aaron does a magnificent job of capturing the abandoned and misguided Michael. This is one of Sandra Bullock’s best performances, at least in recent years. Bullock captures the essence of the upper middle class southern woman who loves her children and will fight for them no matter what the consequences are. She attends every one of Michael’s football practices and supports him when he is struggling.

At first, it is hard to take McGraw seriously as an actor. But surprisingly, he rises to the challenge. McGraw proves to be a perfect match for Bullock, as their loving personalities and easy-going attitudes mesh.

The audience is sure to fall in love with is S.J. (Jae Head), the Tuohy’s younger son. He makes a strong connection with Michael, welcoming him into the family immediately. Head was cast perfectly as the witty, wise-beyond-his-years son. S.J. takes matters into his own hands and fights off the stereotypes and assumptions of classmates and NFL scouts who didn’t think Michael is talented enough to play.

Not only are the Tuohy’s enjoyable to watch and get to know, but viewers also connect with Leigh Anne, Sean, S.J. and Collins (Lily Collins), the Tuohy’s daughter. The growth of the individual characters is shown step by step, further inviting the audience into their lives. One memorable scene shows the Tuohys sitting around the television watching football on Thanksgiving, but when Michael leaves the room to sit at the dining room table, the family realizes spending quality time around the table is more important.

Unexpectedly, “The Blind Side” brings viewers to tears not just once, but many times. The profound emotions and struggles that the Tuohys have to endure during recruitment scams and ostracization hit the audience hard. Bullock’s “defend your family” scene gives goose bumps to viewers as they realize the love that the Tuohys have for their new “son.”

The film dares to look inside life in the projects and follows Michael carefully through what is clearly an incredibly challenging life. The creative adaptation based on the true story of Michael Oher was wonderfully directed and cast. Watching Michael develop through his struggle of coming from a broken home is inspiring and worthwhile.

“The Blind Side” was written and directed by John Lee Hancock.