The Magic of Belle Isle parents guide

The Magic of Belle Isle Parent Guide

While some content issues may discourage some family audiences, the sunshine of this story and the transformation its warmth has on the icy old man are sure to have many viewers feeling the magic.

Overall B+

Monte Wildhorn (Morgan Freeman) comes to Belle Isle hoping to run away from life. Instead life comes knocking on the former author's door when nine-year-old Finnegan (Emma Fuhrmann) intrudes into his solitude asking for writing lessons.

Release date July 6, 2012

Violence C+
Sexual Content B
Profanity C+
Substance Use D+

Why is The Magic of Belle Isle rated PG? The MPAA rated The Magic of Belle Isle PG for mild thematic elements and language including some suggestive comments.

Run Time: 109 minutes

Official Movie Site

Parent Movie Review

Monte Wildhorn (Morgan Freeman) has only come to Belle Island to take advantage of free accommodation over the summer in return for dog sitting. Formerly a successful Wild West writer, the wheelchair bound man has since lost his wife, his fortune and his desire to write. All he can call his own these days is a bad attitude and a drinking problem.

Despite this, his caring nephew Henry (Kenan Thompson) makes sure he packs along his trusty typewriter, hoping perhaps the idyllic setting will inspire the old cuss to plunk out a few new prose. But Monte vows to stay clear of any activity that might be good for him.

Unfortunately he has come to the last place where he can expect to be left in peace to drink himself to distraction. In such a small town everyone knows something about everyone else and it takes no time at all before the nine-year-old girl next door begins asking him questions. When Finnegan (Emma Fuhrmann) discovers he is a published author, she starts pestering him for writing lessons.

Nor is she the only intrusion into his privacy. The girl’s two siblings (Madeline Carroll, Nicolette Pierini) and their single mother (Virginia Madsen) are soon trespassing in his life too. A woman (Jessica Hecht) with a mentally handicapped child (Ash Christian) asks the retired novelist if he can give special attention to her lonely son. And a neighbor (Fred Willard) pushes him into delivering the eulogy at the memorial service of a man he doesn’t even know. And the clerk at the local general store (Debargo Sanyal) gets involved in his grocery choices.

Of course everyone know his crusty exterior can’t possibly survive all these well-meaning pokes and prods… and that is exactly what makes this movie so much fun. Although Monte tries to ward off such entanglements and obligations with eloquent (and often satirical) remarks that bespeak his literary disposition, it is not long before his defenses start to crumble.

While some profanities, a few mildly sexual remarks, a brief moment of violence and Monte’s reliance on alcohol may discourage some family audiences, the sunshine of this story and the transformation its warmth has on the icy old man are sure to have many viewers feeling The Magic of Belle Isle too.

Directed by Rob Reiner. Starring Morgan Freeman, Virginia Madsen, Madeline Carroll, Emma Fuhrmann, Nicolette Pierini. Running time: 109 minutes. Theatrical release July 6, 2012. Updated

The Magic of Belle Isle
Rating & Content Info

Why is The Magic of Belle Isle rated PG? The Magic of Belle Isle is rated PG by the MPAA for mild thematic elements and language including some suggestive comments.

Violence: A fire hazard is briefly mentioned. Siblings argue and tease one another, and one throws water at the other. A man talks about suicide and throws a cup in anger. A man is carried off in a stretcher, and it is implied that he dies. Stories are shared that include some gross and violent details. Characters briefly play a first-person shooter video game. A sense of panic sweeps over party-goes when a children’s amusement collapses with youngsters inside (no one is hurt). A gunshot is fired to warn an angry character. Children use a raft without wearing life jackets. A boy fears he may drown when he falls into a lake.

Sexual Content: Mildly sexual comments are made about a dog when he licks his private parts. Lyrics in a song are slightly suggestive. A man makes sexual comments about a woman. A woman kisses a man.

Language: Mild and moderate profanities and terms of Deity are used as expletives. Some rude slang terms and developmental slurs are heard, along with name-calling.

Alcohol / Drug Use: A man constantly consumes alcohol, purchases it on a couple of occasions and makes no excuses for being a drunk. A man gives a painkiller to an ailing dog. Wine is drunk at dinner and for a toast.

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The Magic of Belle Isle Parents' Guide

How do the many disappointments in Monte’s life contribute to his desire to drink? Does the alcohol really help his problems? What are the things that eventually do bring him happiness? Why must he give up drinking if he wants to continue enjoying these newfound pleasures?

What struggles are Finnegan and her family experiencing? How does learning to use one’s imagination bring some peace into their lives? What can you do to help you cope with trails and challenges?

Home Video

The most recent home video release of The Magic of Belle Isle movie is September 18, 2012. Here are some details…

Home Video Notes: The Magic of Belle Isle

Release Date: 18 September 2012

The Magic of Belle Isle releases on DVD and Blu-ray with no bonus extras.

Related home video titles:

Another man trying to drink away his despair gets interferences from his neighbors in Henry Poole is Here. A group of boys have to confront the scary man next door when they lose a baseball in his backyard in The Sandlot. A young boy brings peace into the life of the mysterious upstairs tenant in Hearts in Atlantis. And young sisters find imagination is the best tool for dealing with their family concerns in the animation My Neighbor Totoro.