Critic Reviews

• Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

  If this were real life and not a movie, Mr. Wildhorn would be written off as a crank and ostracized within a week.

• Kerry Lengel, Arizona Republic

  It's earnest, predictable and disposable.

• Rex Reed, New York Observer

  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.

• Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter

  Shamelessly schmaltzy and predictable from first moment to last, Rob Reiner's The Magic of Belle Isle nonetheless manages to conjure a certain spell.

• Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor

  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.

• William Goss, Film.com

  So resolutely inoffensive that it flirts with Hallmark Hall of Fame territory.

• Roger Moore, McClatchy-Tribune News Service

  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.

• Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

  Uninspiring sentimental inspirational pic.

• Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope

  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.

• Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

  This is a cuddly puppy of a movie - what heart is so dark to do it violence?

• Mike McGranaghan, Aisle Seat

  Corny, obvious, and shallow as a puddle, it traffics in outdated stereotypes, overused cliches, and ham-handed emotions.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.

• Matt Pais, RedEye

  Probably only in theaters because ABC Family said, 'Sorry, this is a little hokey for us.'

• Brian Orndorf, BrianOrndorf.com

  Sometimes it's difficult to remember that Reiner once directed This is Spinal Tap.

• Todd Jorgenson, Cinemalogue.com

  The film lacks subtlety and never misses a chance to tug at the heartstrings, gradually drowning amid all of its melodramatic contrivances.

• Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media

  Family drama has syrupy plot but fabulous performances.

• Alison Willmore, Movieline

  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.

• Kimberly Gadette, Doddle

  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."

• Betty Jo Tucker, ReelTalk Movie Reviews

  '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.

Read all 18 critic reviews