The Magic of Belle Isle (2012)
Average Rating: 4.8/10
Reviews Counted: 31
Fresh: 9 | Rotten: 22
No consensus yet.
Average Rating: 4.6/10
Critic Reviews: 13
Fresh: 3 | Rotten: 10
No consensus yet.
liked it
Average Rating: 3.5/5
User Ratings: 3,212
My Rating
Movie Info
Reuniting with director Rob Reiner from the hit film, The Bucket List, Freeman plays Monte Wildhorn, a famous Western novelist whose struggle with alcoholism has sapped his passion for writing. He takes a lakeside cabin for the summer in picturesque Belle Isle, and befriends the family next door-an attractive single mom (Madsen) and her young daughters-who help him find inspiration again. -- (C) Magnolia
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Cast
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Morgan Freeman
Monte Wildhorn -
Kenan Thompson
Henry -
Virginia Madsen
Charlotte O'Neil -
Emma Fuhrmann
Finnegan O'Neil -
Madeline Carroll
Willow 'Neil, Willow O'... -
Nicolette Pierini
Flora O'Neil -
C.J. Wilson
Fire Captain -
Ash Christian
Carl Loop -
Debargo Sanyal
Mahmoud -
Fred Willard
Al Kaiser -
Jessica Hecht
Karen Loop -
Christopher McCann
Bookstore Owner -
Lucas Caleb Rooney
Clown -
Kevin Pollak
Joe Viola -
Robert Boyd Holbrook
Luke Ford -
Kevin Pollack
Joe Viola
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All Critics (31) | Top Critics (13) | Fresh (9) | Rotten (22)
If this were real life and not a movie, Mr. Wildhorn would be written off as a crank and ostracized within a week.
Top CriticIt's earnest, predictable and disposable.
You can quarrel with the smiley-face outcome of every ordeal, but the tenderness and optimism are so powerful and ingratiating that only a viewer with the darkest sensibility will go away untouched.
Shamelessly schmaltzy and predictable from first moment to last, Rob Reiner's The Magic of Belle Isle nonetheless manages to conjure a certain spell.
Madsen, a strong actress who might have matched Freeman, is portrayed in varying shades of blandness. Even Freeman, good as his is, is held back here.
So resolutely inoffensive that it flirts with Hallmark Hall of Fame territory.
Freeman, an actor who can be fierce and disagreeable on screen and in person, is content to turn on the twinkle. Unfortunately, Reiner seems all too happy to let him.
Uninspiring sentimental inspirational pic.
The problems with the dialog and story are overcome by the fact that this is a very nice, warm, romantic story with some magic in it.
This is a cuddly puppy of a movie - what heart is so dark to do it violence?
Corny, obvious, and shallow as a puddle, it traffics in outdated stereotypes, overused cliches, and ham-handed emotions. Trust me: your 80 year-old grandmother will love this movie.
Probably only in theaters because ABC Family said, 'Sorry, this is a little hokey for us.'
Sometimes it's difficult to remember that Reiner once directed This is Spinal Tap.
The film lacks subtlety and never misses a chance to tug at the heartstrings, gradually drowning amid all of its melodramatic contrivances.
Family drama has syrupy plot but fabulous performances.
As sticky-sweet and textureless as a bowl of pudding, though an amused central performance from star Morgan Freeman continually finds nuance and the unexpected where there ultimately isn't any.
This screenplay is so poorly crafted, it trumps many of those that have eroded the Reiner legacy since '96. "Good script"? Per Inigo Montoya: "I do not think it means what you think it means."
'The Magic of Belle Isle' may not be magical, but many Morgan Freeman fans will probably enjoy his droll, loquacious performance in this uneven offering.
Audience Reviews for The Magic of Belle Isle
Super Reviewer
Super Reviewer
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- Finnegan O'Neil: You tell me to see what's not there why can't you write what's not there?
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- Finnegan O'Neil: You don't have to leave this planet to tell a good story.
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- Charlotte O'Neil: What do you want out of life Mr. Wildhorn?
- Monte Wildhorn: I'd settle for more nights like this.
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- Monte Wildhorn: Spot, that lady has a way of making me sitting taller in the saddle.
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