The Magic of Belle Isle 2012

Stephen Holden, New York Times: The magic of this new movie's title emanates from the beautiful, measured performances of its stars. Read more

Rex Reed, New York Observer: You can quarrel with the smiley-face outcome of every ordeal, but the tenderness and optimism are so powerful and ingratiating that only a viewer with the darkest sensibility will go away untouched. Read more

Sam Adams, AV Club: 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 more

Kerry Lengel, Arizona Republic: It's earnest, predictable and disposable. Read more

Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor: 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. Read more

Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly: A pastel-colored, embroidered wall-hanging of a drama directed by Rob Reiner. Read more

William Goss, Film.com: So resolutely inoffensive that it flirts with Hallmark Hall of Fame territory. Read more

Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter: Shamelessly schmaltzy and predictable from first moment to last, Rob Reiner's The Magic of Belle Isle nonetheless manages to conjure a certain spell. Read more

Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times: It has some heartfelt performances and a nice, nondescript vibe, but it's largely unmemorable. Read more

Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger: That Freeman would be willing to settle for this, perhaps, isn't that surprising; he hasn't been interesting in breaking a sweat for awhile now. But is this really the best that director Rob Reiner can manage? Read more

Lou Lumenick, New York Post: "The Magic of Belle Isle'' smothers two of this year's best performances - by Morgan Freeman and Virginia Madsen - in enough family-friendly sweetness to induce diabetic shock. Read more

Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle: If this were real life and not a movie, Mr. Wildhorn would be written off as a crank and ostracized within a week. Read more

John Anderson, Variety: Shaggily sentimental and a few spells short of enchantment. Read more

Nick Schager, Village Voice: It's predictably ironic that The Magic of Belle Isle champions the unparalleled power of imagination while displaying absolutely none of its own. Read more