THE MAGIC OF BELLE ISLE
Life Restoring
What You Need To Know
Morgan Freeman plays a down and out writer who finds inspiration from his neighbors in the MAGIC OF BELLE ISLE. THE MAGIC OF BELLE ISLE is a heartwarming family film but does have a dysfunctional family portrayal.
Monte Wildhorn is a famous writer who writes novels about the grand adventures in the West when cowboys roomed the lands. When his wife dies, Monte loses his inspiration. Moving to the small town of Belle, Monte has completely given up and become a grouch while drinking all day. The neighbors are curious about Monte and welcome him into their town, especially the family living right next to him, the O’Neal family, a recently divorced mother and her three girls: Willow, Fin and Flora.
Finn wants to be a great writer and storyteller, so she takes it upon herself to buy Monte’s time as a mentor. Monte accepts her offer because he wants the money for alcohol. The first task for Finn is to learn what imagination means. Although Monte is teaching Finn, he himself is growing and starting to imagine again.
Mrs. O’Neal decides to invite Monte over to dinner, and the two have a unexpected spark. Inspired by the evening, Monte starts to write again and this time as a children’s story where all the characters disguised as mice are really the O’Neil family. Starting to get the picture, Mrs. O’Neal realizes Monte likes her, and the two subtly connect just as Monte is helping her mentor the girls.
Willow, in her teenage years, is having troubles with her mother and the divorce of her parents, but after finding her mother’s old journal, she starts to connect. A sweet bond is created between Willow and her mother, once Willow realizes she can’t be angry with her.
THE MAGIC OF BELLE ISLE is more character-driven than plot-driven. The dialogue is a little talky, with many scenes of two people just having conversations. The acting is sometimes overdone and slightly unnatural. That said, the characters are very likeable and the movie’s tone is appealing.
THE MAGIC OF BELLE ISLE is a sweet story with a moral worldview connecting a family and giving life to a broken down man. By seeing the love the O’Neils have for each other, Monte is inspired to love and create. Also, a sweet bond is shown being restored between the teenage daughter and mother. Though this is the case, a key theme is divorce. The movie shows how bad divorce can be, but it also supports it in a way.
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Strong moral worldview; eight obscenities and three profanities including one ‘JC’ used by a child but very much rebuked, light crude commentary, male dog licks himself; old man shoots bullet in the air just to cause alarm; no sexual content but some kissing; no nudity; drinking and alcoholism but character quits by end; no smoking or drug use; and, mother and father are divorced and this leads to children being disturbed and questioning and lying, but bond between mother and teenage daughter is mended.
