The Magic of Belle Isle

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The Magic of Belle Isle

PG

2012

1h 49m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

33%

Tomatometer

33 Reviews

63%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

An alcoholic, disabled novelist finds his muse again after he moves into a lakeside cabin and meets a single mother and her daughters.

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Critics Consensus

Neither Rob Reiner nor Morgan Freeman are able to conjure up their old magic in this dull trifle, with both director and star appearing content to tread through the paces of the saccharine script.

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Keith Uhlich

Time Out

May 19, 2026

3/5

Manages to cast enough of an enchanting spell.

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J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

Feb 15, 2020

Hopeless drivel.

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Serena Donadoni

IndieWire

Nov 1, 2012

B

There's a comforting inevitability to The Magic of Belle Isle, as an alcoholic author spends a soothing, rejuvenating summer in a sleepy lakeside village.

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Clayton Davis

AwardsCircuit.com

Sep 16, 2014

2/4

All we're left with is an uneven story that could have landed on "Best of Straight-to-DVD" shelves or the $1 bin at your local Walmart for Grandma to find.

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Dec 12, 2012

C

Uninspiring sentimental inspirational pic.

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Robert Roten

Laramie Movie Scope

Nov 27, 2012

B

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.

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Deborah C

@debc327 Aug 30, 2026

I just started this film, got about a third of the way through and simply couldn’t see more. The script is awful. No way could I ‘suspend disbelief’ for a moment. Implausible, and rings false.I love Rob Reiner and Morgan Freeman. I had hoped for more.

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Douglas L

@peeperaustin Aug 13, 2026

The problem with critics is that they don’t know what it’s like when a movie makes you feel so good.

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Bill T

@btreakle Jul 21, 2026

“The Magic Of Belle Isle “ This is a wonderful magical movie set in the outer limits of Detroit MI. A story about a young family that is caught up in the grips of a divorce as they make their way to belle island with some clarity. After arriving at belle island they soon discovered that their neighbor is a former famous writer a writer of westerns as it turns out. The setting is very beautiful and the family her mother and her three daughters are simply adorable. The author will be immediately recognizable. This movie was truly heartwarming and inspiring.

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Horror fan 4

@Horrorfan4life Jul 20, 2026

Morgan Freeman does his thing in this wonderful place called belle Isle. I never thought I'd cry but damn it he got me when I leased excepted it. His character of monte is one of his best characters and performances. He steals every scene he's in. His voice is magical and when he speaks you listen. Freeman playing a writer is perfect and with a single mom with kids next door makes for a wonderful time. Tim Treakle

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Sharon W

@wbbirdlady Jul 10, 2026

I figured that if Rotten Tomatoes critics gave this movie a low rating, then it would be a sure winner. And, I was right. I've always liked Morgan Freeman, and he didn't let me down. Rotten Tomatoes critics would do well to consider what truly makes a good movie. We "regular" people know.

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Joejoe H.

@MojoJoeJoe May 29, 2026

Not the greatest but overall a sweet story. The "romance" portion could have been left out as it seemed odd.

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Rob Reiner

Director

Morgan Freeman

Monte Wildhorn

Virginia Madsen

Mrs. O'Neil

Madeline Carroll

Willow

Emma Fuhrmann

Finnegan

Nicolette Pierini

Flora

The Magic of Belle Isle: Official Clip - Reach for the Sky, Mr. Clown

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The Magic of Belle Isle: Official Clip - A Writer Nobody Reads

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The Magic of Belle Isle: Official Clip - Discussion With a Dog

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The Magic of Belle Isle: Official Clip - The Mystery of Imagination

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The Magic of Belle Isle: Official Clip - So You Write Stories?

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The Magic of Belle Isle: Official Clip - I'll Stick With Real Life

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The Magic of Belle Isle: Official Clip - They Gave Me My Life Back

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The Magic of Belle Isle: Official Clip - You Want a Mentor

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The Magic of Belle Isle: Official Clip - One Hell of a Mentor

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The Magic of Belle Isle: Official Clip - Why Did You Stop Writing?

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Synopsis

An alcoholic, disabled novelist finds his muse again after he moves into a lakeside cabin and meets a single mother and her daughters.

Director: Rob Reiner
Producer: Rob Reiner, Alan Greisman, Lori McCreary, Salli Newman, David Valdes
Screenwriter: Guy Thomas
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures
Production Co: Magnolia Pictures, Voltage Pictures, Castle Rock Entertainment
Rating: PG (Mild Thematic Elements|Language|Some Suggestive Comments)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 6, 2012, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 26, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $100.9K
Runtime: 1h 49m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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