Dolphin Tale - (September 23rd, 2011): PG
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Opening Weekend Box-Office: #3 with $19,152,401
Domestic Box-Office Gross to-date: $39,231,171
Gross Revenue: $39,231,171
Production Budget: $37 million
Director: Charles Martin Smith
As shameful as it is to admit, I was not aware of the situation surrounding Winter the dolphin prior to the announced release of Dolphin Tale, but upon further research, it was clear that this inspiring mammal was actually quite popular. In choosing to adapt a film around this emotionally-charged story, director Charles Martin Smith and producers would have to delicately handle true events so that they resonated with a mass audience, and there seemed no better way to accomplish that task than position Winter as a character whom moviegoers couldn’t help but love. Using a familiar cast that included a powerhouse of Morgan Freeman’s caliber and making an animal the central focus, Dolphin Tale began to resemble the type of crowd-pleaser that made 2008’s Marley & Me such a success. However, I do admit that the credibility of the film took a bit of a hit being offered in 3D, as such an angle could cheapen the sensitivity required to make a film about overcoming physical disability truly serious. Slightly skeptical but nevertheless having high hopes for Dolphin Tale, I couldn’t wait to see how this beloved animal and her amazing story would present at the theater.
Set in Florida, Dolphin Tale first introduces audiences to young loner Sawyer Nelson (Nathan Gamble), who lives with his mother, Lorraine (Ashley Judd), and one day stumbles upon an injured bottlenose dolphin caught in a crab trap. The dolphin is quickly transported to a local marine hospital run by veterinarian Clay Haskett (Harry Connick, Jr.), but the injuries to her tail are so severe that it must be amputated. Sawyer soon becomes a regular at the struggling marine hospital, befriending Clay’s young daughter, Hazel, and forming a bond with the dolphin, now named Winter. With Sawyer’s help, Winter begins to recover and learns how to swim without her tail, but it is soon revealed that her method of swimming is causing severe damage to her spine, and without some kind of change, she will soon die. Not prepared to say goodbye to his close friend, Sawyer seeks out prosthetics expert Dr. Cameron McCarthy (Morgan Freeman), who agrees to work with the marine center and fashion a revolutionary prosthetic tail for Winter. Soon enough, Winter’s inspirational story spreads and countless visitors flock to Florida in order to visit and support the brave dolphin.
If the above plot synopsis sounds even slightly heartfelt, such a revelation remains a dramatic understatement, as Dolphin Tale’s story is so engrossing, emotional, and inspiring, it is almost unbelievable. Winter is so instantaneously lovable that you will feel that you have a bond with her that is as strong as the one she shares with Sawyer, and her resonance with different kinds of prosthetic or disabled struggles is so strong that her triumph will leave you cheering. The film’s direction, dialogue, and soundtrack combine to pile on the heart so strongly that it almost unfair, but the end result is so rewarding and enriching that you will walk away filled with hope…in one particular scene, a young girl goes to visit Winter, and it is revealed that her leg has been amputated, and that powerful parallel is sure to leave you in tears. As far as the human cast goes, everyone gives a lighthearted and simplistic performance that is entertaining, and Nathan Gamble shows considerable potential, but Harry Connick, Jr. and Morgan Freeman stand out as humorous and genuinely believable in their attachment to Winter. With all of these factors combined, Dolphin Tale is a near-perfect family film, and the few small discrepancies present are easily forgivable.
As stated earlier, Dolphin Tale is undeniably inspiring for both child and adult audiences alike, but at times, the film skews towards the younger demographic and sacrifices narrative momentum. For instance, Winter has just barely survived her amputation and is struggling to recover, and then a misplaced sequence of the two children trying to fly a toy helicopter shows up, so shamelessly silly and clearly included to make some use of the wasted 3D technology that it is a little insulting. The dialogue plays to younger audience members in a few instances, and a few of the cast members (Kris Kristofferson) are underused, but in its entirety, the end result deftly blends lighthearted fun and significant empathy. In the end, these shortcomings are tolerable, as Dolphin Tale’s story swings for the fences repeatedly with undeniable success; for instance, the narrative intersperses a storyline in which Sawyer’s older cousin joins the Army and is injured, and when his plight meets Winter’s in the inspiring conclusion, I guarantee that you will tear-up in joy. Based on all of these considerations, Dolphin Tale is not only a great family film, but it is also on its way to becoming an instant classic.
From a box office perspective, Dolphin Tale couldn’t overcome audience familiarity with The Lion King, so it is understandable what direction audiences would turn when faced with two family films in theaters. However, word of mouth and positive buzz have created a near-miracle, as the film debuted in third place but jumped to the top of ticket receipts in its second weekend. With this incredibly rare occurrence due to audience attendance only dropping 27%, Dolphin Tale has already recovered its modest budget, and with so many positive reviews, moviegoer presence should remain relatively stable. I may sound gushy and overly-enthusiastic when speaking about Dolphin Tale, but trust me when I say that such behavior is only a testament to how strong the film really is as a must-see. Who knows, I’m compelled to take a trip down to Florida myself and meet Winter, because I am now definitely a fan of that wonderful dolphin.
Overall Recommendation: Very High
