There’s this great movie Sandra Bullock did eleven years ago called Forces of Nature. I remember very distinctly seeing the trailer for this on TV when I was around 11, and finally got the chance to see the film several months ago.

First off, it’s a Sandra Bullock/Ben Affleck movie that didn’t do particularly well at the box office. I think it was because the movie looked a little strange (it had very muted color tones and I think that turned some people off) and the story wasn’t terribly special in any way. Despite those shortcomings, I really liked the movie because I liked Sandra’s character and her infectious, crazy energy.

She’s very much a free spirit in the movie and causes Ben Affleck’s character to question the path he’s taking in life. But despite her easygoing attitude, we learn that her happy-go-lucky nature is a cover for a much more complex individual. Sandra’s character actually reminds me quite a bit of myself – I may appear a little larger than life, or “slightly insane” as my best friend Losmeiya likes to say, but there is definitely more than meets the eye. I’m always trying to make people laugh and at ease so that they feel comfortable around me, but there’s a very serious side that others may not expect.

I think this was also a great role for Sandra because it’s age-appropriate. Sandra always looks much younger than she really is, and although she was in her mid-thirties when this was made, could have easily passed for someone ten years younger. Since then, she’s graduated from the young ingénue figuring out her place in the world into more mature roles. One of the most recent highlights is of course her performance in The Blind Side as a tough but nurturing mother.

It’s a shame Forces of Nature was overlooked – Sandra really gives a fantastic performance.