As is widely known by now, “The Blind Side,” written and directed by John Lee Hancock and based on a book by Michael Lewis, echoes the real life story of how a Southern white woman came to the rescue of Michael Oher, a troubled African-American teenager, made him part of her family and helped him get an education and become a football star. The story has built-in elements to warm the heart. So far so good, and acting newcomer Quinton Aaron acquits himself well playing Oher.

But, whatever the reality, the movie is also packed with ridiculous moments typical of films that aim to entertain broadly rather than stick to a path that would perhaps be more pleasing to critics than to audiences who eagerly embrace the claptrap if it tugs at the emotions or provides amusement.

Oher is made to look more stupefied than likely when he first gets out on the school field. The way in which Leigh Anne by-passes the coach and rushes onto the gridiron to tell Oher what he should be doing as the simplistic magical solution to his befuddlement is patently silly. Also, in the Tuohy household is a young, brash son who in effect also becomes Oher’s unofficial mentor teaching him to play the game, yet another absurdity. The amusingly brash brat is also is put in the position of being somewhat of a negotiator as coaches from various colleges come to court the potential new star athlete. Although the young actor (Jae Head) playing the boy does what’s asked of him, the kid’s cuteness can turn into an irritant to some while he seems endearing to others.

Even when there might be elements of truth at the root of such piling-it-on, the scenes reek of contrivance and one may have to get over them in order to appreciate the guts of the film. “The Blind Side” follows in the tradition of the uplift category of movie-making, especially in the realm of those dealing with sports. It certainly isn’t artistically brilliant, but it carries a message that may make many feel good about themselves and those who do something decent in the world by helping someone unfortunate triumph in life instead of being left by the wayside. There is surely something worthy about that, as we see Oher gain a sense of self worth—a sort of male version of “Precious.”