‘Dolphin Tale’ A Heart-Warming Film for Fall Season
- Matt Palmer
- Nov 1, 2021
- 2 min read
*** This is a review that I worked on for the movie Dolphin Tale for the Examiner in 2011. A great family flick for everyone! Available on HBO Max
In 2006, a three month old bottlenose dolphin was found stuck in a crab trap off the coast of Florida. Due to some tissue damage that the dolphin sustained, she had to lose her tail. After a time when it was life and death for the marine mammal, Winter ends up getting a prosthetic tail that ends up saving her life. If she didn’t get a new tail, her spine would have suffered. Now, her amazing story makes it to the big screen and the viewer will definitely be pleased.
In the Warner Brothers release of “Dolphin Tale,” a young boy named Sawyer Nelson has been having a tough time dealing with his older cousin going overseas. While riding his bike near the beach, Sawyer spots a dolphin caught in a crab trap. With the help of a marine vet and his team, along with a doctor who specializes in making prosthetic limbs, they begin to find a way to save the young dolphin.
“Dolphin Tale” is an amazing, and sometimes, emotional story that is filled with heart. Some parts of the film really made some of the viewers tear up a little. There are also a few parts that make you want to laugh – mainly the parts that show the children playing with the dolphin. A few of the viewers even clapped when Winter is shown to be feeling better. Also, right before the end credits begin to roll, there is some footage of the actual dolphin rescue and the results that followed. With the song that is playing throughout the actual footage, it is a guarantee that watching that will leave a little lump in your throat.
Harry Connick, Jr. plays Dr. Clay Haskett, the vet who helps the dolphin. He has appeared in some films, including “New in Town,” “P.S. I Love You,” “Independence Day” and “Basic.” Morgan Freeman plays Dr. Cameron McCarthy, the doctor who creates a prosthetic tail for Winter. Freeman has recently appeared in “Red,” “Invictus,” “The Dark Knight” and Wanted.” Ashley Judd plays Lorraine Nelson, Sawyer’s mother. Judd has recently co-starred in the 2010 comedy “Tooth Fairy.”
Other cast members include: Nathan Gamble (Marley & Me) as Sawyer Nelson, Kris Kristofferson (He’s Just Not That Into You) as Reed Haskett, newcomer Cozi Zuehlsdorff as Hazel Haskett, Austin Stowel (The Secret Life of an American Teenager) as Kyle and Frances Sternhagen (Julie & Julia) as Gloria Forrest. “Dolphin Tale” is directed by Charles Martin Smith, who has also directed the 1997 family hit “Air Bud.”
A majority of the family film was shot primarily around the actually Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Florida. In fact, the dolphin that you see in the film is the actual Winter.
“Dolphin Tale” is rated PG for some mild thematic elements and has a running time of 113 minutes.
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