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Movie Info
Cast & Crew
Monte Wildhorn
Mrs. O'Neil
Willow
Finnegan
Flora
Henry
News & Interviews for The Magic of Belle Isle
Critic Reviews for The Magic of Belle Isle
All Critics (34) | Top Critics (18) | Fresh (10) | Rotten (24)
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Hopeless drivel.
February 15, 2020 | Full Review… -
There's a comforting inevitability to The Magic of Belle Isle, as an alcoholic author spends a soothing, rejuvenating summer in a sleepy lakeside village.
November 1, 2012 | Rating: B | Full Review… -
If this were real life and not a movie, Mr. Wildhorn would be written off as a crank and ostracized within a week.
July 12, 2012 | Rating: 1/4 | Full Review… -
It's earnest, predictable and disposable.
July 12, 2012 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review… -
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.
July 12, 2012 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review… -
Shamelessly schmaltzy and predictable from first moment to last, Rob Reiner's The Magic of Belle Isle nonetheless manages to conjure a certain spell.
July 9, 2012 | Full Review…
Audience Reviews for The Magic of Belle Isle
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Sep 25, 2015This is a hidden gem from director Rob Reiner, reconnecting him with Morgan Freeman from The Bucket List. If you enjoyed that film, you'll probably like this one as well. This concerns a journey through life's turmoil, although without the presence of Nicholson-much less acerbic. Belle Isle is a beautiful, tender story about characters you really care about. Like Bucket List, this movie is about second chances in life, making the best of what time you have left. I appreciated that it had a theme for every stage of life, although it centered on Monte Wildhorn (Freeman). The intersection of his life with the newly-divorced mother and children of varying ages next door was the perfect complement and foil for Wildhorn. The film does venture into schmaltzy, Hallmark territory, but just go with it. Allowing yourself simply to be inspired and entertained won't hurt. One criticism: The sort-of romantic angle between Monte Wildhorn and Charlotte O'Neil (Virginia Madsen) seemed forced, not plausible or realistic to me. Madsen was quoted as saying that her on-screen relationship with Freeman (albeit brief) was the first on-screen romance in his long, storied career. Kudos to Reiner, then for thinking outside the box.Clintus M Super Reviewer
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Feb 05, 2013Comic drama that can best be described as nice, Morgan Freeman and Virginia Madsen make it seem better than it is.jay n Super Reviewer
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Jul 11, 2012Rob Reiner is a good at taking adult themes, and turning them into good family orientated films. "Stand By Me" is my favorite Reiner movie, as I grew up watching that with my mom. Here, Morgan Freeman plays Monte, a alcoholic, paralyzed writer, who has lost the will to to write. Monte movies to Belle Isle and befriends a single mom(Virginia Madsen) and her three young daughters, whom help him find his inspiration again. It's a good, sweet natured, borderline sappy PG movie. The performances are all good, especially Freeman. It's good to see him in an actual leading role again instead of a supporting player or voice over. The rest of the cast is very good, as all three daughters do a terrific job, as does the usually great Madsen. It may be too boring for kids, and honestly it does drag a little during the middle, but it's still very entertaining and a good watch. Good watch.Everett J Super Reviewer
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Jul 10, 2012Morgan Freeman and Virginia Madsen's performances are the best reason to watch this film. They shine in the film and have a great on screen chemistry. Keenan Thompson also does a good job with his supporting role. All 3 daughters in the film are great too. My problem with the film was the tone of the film. It felt too much like an after school TV movie than a regular theatrical release. Also the pacing was off. Some scenes are too slow. Still, despite the flaws, I do recommend the film, especially for Freeman and Madsen's performances.Sol C Super Reviewer
The Magic of Belle Isle Quotes
Monte Wildhorn: | Imagination--the most powerful force ever made available to mankind. |
Monte Wildhorn: | Nobody cares about a writer nobody reads. |
Henry: | That's because you don't write. |
Finnegan O'Neil: | You tell me to see what's not there why can't you write what's not there? |
Finnegan O'Neil: | You don't have to leave this planet to tell a good story |
Finnegan O'Neil: | You don't have to leave this planet to tell a good story. |
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