Eye of the DolphinMovie Reviews

Poster art for "Eye of the Dolphin."

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So-so
Avg. Critic Score: 54 out of 100 Mixed or average reviews Metascore® based on all critic reviews
Information for Parents:
13 Iffy for 13+
Read Common Sense Media review

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 67
    Austin Chronicle | Marjorie Baumgarten

    Eye of the Dolphin is much better than most films of this sort, and if it helps a generation of young girls want to grow up to swim with live dolphins rather than groom My Little Ponys, that's certainly not a bad thing at all. Read full review

  • 63
    ReelViews | James Berardinelli

    There's real heart to be found in the story but it comes along with borderline saccharine sentimentality, a too facile ending, and clean outcomes that aren't earned. Read full review

  • 50
    Chicago Tribune |

    Young audiences will enjoy her journey from surly to empowered, and as countless visitors to Brookfield Zoo can attest, there's nothing like watching dolphins. So a star for Schroeder and a star for the title players. Read full review

  • 50
    Los Angeles Times |

    Overly earnest and roughly constructed, the film is bearable largely thanks to the performance as the daughter by Carly Schroeder, recently seen in the girls' soccer pic, "Gracie." Read full review

  • 50
    Variety | Joe Leydon

    There's a pleasantly dreamy quality to much of Eye of the Dolphin, and that goes a long way toward enabling audiences to ignore the formulaic plot and enjoy the laid-back charms of this innocuous indie. Read full review

View more reviews for Eye of the Dolphin on Metacritic

Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says Iffy for 13+ Drugs and drinking make waves in family drama.
What Parents Need to Know Parents need to know that this lackluster family drama includes scenes in which the main character, a 14-year-old girl, smokes a joint and later appears to pass out from drinking. On the up side, her interactions with the dolphins, nature, and her father prompt a profound, positive change in her outlook and behavior. While older tweens and teens may enjoy the movie -- especially the scenes with the dolphins -- younger viewers may be bogged down by the drama between Alyssa and her father and between him and the town council.
  • Families can talk about why Alyssa was so troubled. Why did she act the way she did, particularly drinking and taking drugs? What were the consequences of those actions? What might have happened if she hadn't found her dad and the dolphins? Families can also discuss the fact that lots of movies portray animals as soothing creatures that bring peace to troubled souls. Why? Do you think that's true? What is it about animals that brings joy to humans? And what do humans give them in return?
The good stuff
  • message true0 Positive messages: A long-separated father and daughter struggle to form a relationship. The girl is troubled and does drugs and drinks, but her interactions with nature and her father help her change for the better.
What to watch for
  • violence false0 Violence: Some yelling and arguing.
  • sex false0 Sex: A couple lies in bed, with backs bare.
  • language false0 Language: Quite clean, save for the occasional use of "idiot," "moron," and "pissed off."
  • consumerism false3 Consumerism: Mention of the iPod; discussion of how to turn pristine beachfront into a theme park.
  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3 Drinking, drugs and smoking: The main character -- a 14-year-old girl -- smokes pot and gets drunk. Some beer drinking in a resort setting (by adults).
An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology. © Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

Eye of the Dolphin Movie Ratings + Reviews

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