So-so
Avg. Critic Score: 46 out of 100 Mixed or average reviews Metascore® based on all critic reviews
Information for Parents:
9 OK for kids 9+
Read Common Sense Media review

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

  • 75
    New York Observer | Rex Reed

    The Magic of Belle Isle is a warm, human, feel-good experience about bringing out the best in people, one that brings out Morgan Freeman's best performance in years. Read full review

  • 70
    Boxoffice Magazine | Pete Hammond

    Reiner has crafted the perfect summer film in The Magic Of Belle Isle. No, not one with a lot of noise and battles and comic book heroes, but rather a wonderfully laid back family story set around a gorgeous lake, about the everyday problems of real people from 7 to 70. Read full review

  • 70
    The New York Times | Stephen Holden

    Ms. Madsen, radiant and tousled, without a trace of narcissism, conveys maternal devotion, undaunted courage and a serene sensuality. Real, if idealized, grown-ups: We haven't seen them much in the movies lately, but here they are. Read full review

  • 60
    Time Out New York | Keith Uhlich

    Though the story's wrapped-with-a-bow finale is never in doubt-ol' Meathead remains a populist, pandering Hollywood man through and through-Belle Isle still manages to cast enough of an enchanting spell. Read full review

  • 50
    New York Post | Lou Lumenick

    Even in an underwritten role, the delightful Madsen shines in her best performance since her comeback role in "Sideways." Read full review

  • 50
    Slant Magazine |

    This gooey reteaming of Rob Reiner and Morgan Freeman is crammed tight with baldly manipulative elements, its tearjerker quota busting at the seams. Read full review

  • 50
    Entertainment Weekly | Lisa Schwarzbaum

    A crotchety, alcoholic, wheelchair-bound coot played on cruise control by Morgan Freeman learns these recycled lessons in a pastel-colored, embroidered wall-hanging of a drama directed by Rob Reiner. Read full review

  • 50
    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. Read full review

  • 40
    Arizona Republic | Kerry Lengel

    Freeman is back in Reiner's latest, The Magic of Belle Isle, which has all the pathos and saccharine of "The Bucket List" but little of the humor. It's earnest, predictable and disposable. Read full review

  • 25
    San Francisco Chronicle | Mick LaSalle

    For about an hour of its running time, The Magic of Belle Isle seems like a tiresome, sentimental and slow-moving story about a grumpy old man redeemed by the sweet spirit of a rural town and by the nice family that lives next door. But no, it's even worse than that. Read full review

View more reviews for The Magic of Belle Isle on Metacritic

Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says OK for kids 9+ Family drama has syrupy plot but fabulous performances.
What Parents Need to Know Parents need to know that The Magic of Belle Isle is a drama about the inter-generational friendship between an old alcoholic writer and the three young sisters who live next door. Although the movie is rated PG, director Rob Reiner explores some heavy themes, like alcoholism, grief, divorce, and disability. There's also some strong-for-the-rating language ("s--t," "ass," "damn," "Jesus H. Christ" said a couple of times each), and a couple of quick kisses (one is in a dream). The bond that forms between the crotchety author (Morgan Freeman) and the girls may remind younger viewers that seniors have lived full, rich lives and still have something to say.
  • Families can talk about the theme of aging. Most movies portray the elderly in supporting roles as grandparents or neighbors, but in The Magic of Belle Isle, the aged author is the main character. How do you feel when you see older people in leading roles?
  • How is alcoholism portrayed in the movie? What are Monte's reasons for drinking? How does his drinking get in the way of his creativity?
  • What other movies address the relationship between seniors and kids? Talk about elderly folks you know who might be cool to talk to, learn from, and hang out with more often.
The good stuff
  • message true4 Positive messages: The Magic of Belle Isle is about the transformational power of friendship and how it's possible to make life-changing connections with people who are generations older/younger than you. It's also a story about creativity and how to work through personal difficulties.
  • rolemodels true3 Positive role models: Finn and Monte have a sweet inter-generational friendship that helps them both become more creative. Despite his many flaws, Monte's relationship with the girls (he isn't condescending with them) is just what they need as they process their parents' divorce. Charlotte is a good mother who's doing her best to soften the blow of her marital breakup.
What to watch for
  • violence false1 Violence: Monte wields a gun at a clown (albeit comically). He shoots it in the air, but no one is hurt.
  • sex false1 Sexy stuff: Monte begins to fancy the lovely (and much younger) Charlotte, and he dreams of them waltzing in the moonlight and kissing. Later on she does kiss him briefly. A few suggestive comments.
  • language false3 Language: A couple of uses of "s--t," as well as "bitch" (but in its literal meaning as a female dog), "ass," "damn," "hell," and the exclamation "Jesus H. Christ." Monte makes some abrasive comments, like "God told me to be an atheist." Finn calls Monte a "no-good drunk."
  • consumerism false0 Consumerism: Not an issue
  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3 Drinking, drugs and smoking: It's a major plot point that Monte is an alcoholic, although it's discussed more than it's shown. He buys a lot of Scotch and is shown with empty bottles and glasses, but he tends to act tipsy rather than really, really drunk.
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