The Magic of Belle Isle
Magnolia Pictures | Release Date: July 6, 2012 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
46
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 14 Critic Reviews
Positive:
3
Mixed:
9
Negative:
2
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
75
ObserverRex ReedJul 11, 2012
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
The New York TimesStephen HoldenJul 5, 2012
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
70
Boxoffice MagazinePete HammondJul 2, 2012
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
60
Time OutKeith UhlichJul 3, 2012
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
MovielineAlison WillmoreJul 7, 2012
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
50
Christian Science MonitorPeter RainerJul 6, 2012
Almost every scene is pitched for dewy sympathy. 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. His rock bottom isn't very rocky, and far from bottomless. Read full review
50
New York PostLou LumenickJul 6, 2012
Even in an underwritten role, the delightful Madsen shines in her best performance since her comeback role in "Sideways." Read full review
50
Los Angeles TimesMark OlsenJul 5, 2012
It has some heartfelt performances and a nice, nondescript vibe, but it's largely unmemorable. Read full review
50
Entertainment WeeklyLisa SchwarzbaumJul 4, 2012
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
Village VoiceNick SchagerJul 3, 2012
With graceless melodramatist Rob Reiner at the helm, it's predictably ironic that The Magic of Belle Isle champions the unparalleled power of imagination while displaying absolutely none of its own. Read full review
50
Slant MagazineR. Kurt OsenlundJul 2, 2012
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
40
Arizona RepublicKerry LengelJul 13, 2012
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 ChronicleMick LaSalleJul 12, 2012
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
16
The A.V. ClubSam AdamsJul 4, 2012
For a movie that spends so much time extolling the virtues of the imagination to show so little of its own is more than ironic - it's offensive. Read full review
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