By Staff
waterhead.com
October 3, 2011

Dolphin Tale is a recent movie that has provoked a lot of attention within the media and the public. If you have been searching for a film to see with your family or your children, you have likely heard about this film being released in theatres already. But what is the film truly about, and is it worth paying to watch it at the theatres? Will it hold up in comparison to other animal films of the past? If you have been curious about the story but have not yet seen it, you'll appreciate this review of the movie - Dolphin Tale. 

Dolphin Tale follows the story of a New Smyrna Beach dolphin that has lost her tail. The message of the movie sends out the positive notion that although bad things can happen, it should not cause you to lose hope or give up, because something better can always happen afterwards. In example, Winter the dolphin loses her tail and is forced to start wearing a prosthetic tail to survive, but later becomes a main attraction at the aquarium. 

The film was inspired by a true story of what happened to an actual dolphin. However, what is seen in the film is not the exact account of what really occurred. The story was modified and fictionalized to some extent to make it more suitable for children and marketable to families. Although it's more similar to previous stories that have focused on sea life, such as Free Willy, Dolphin Tale is still unique in its own right and provides an interesting and inspiring look at the life of the Clearwater dolphin. The story is also endearing because it shows how a group of people banded together to save the life of a dolphin, and how, in turn, this helped to inspire the other people around them in the town. 

The story begins with Winter being discovered on the beach by a fisherman and an eleven year old boy named Sawyer. The dolphin was caught up in a crab trap, which is the cause of her initial injury. The film seems to imply that Sawyer was one of the unpopular kids in school, who often felt misunderstood, and that his interest in Winter helps him by adding purpose to life as he discovers the value of his assistance to her. Instead, he begins skipping school so that he can spend time with the dolphin as she recovers, although she eventually loses her tail. During this point in the film, his cousin returns home from war and there are scenes in a Veterans Administration hospital. This is crucial because this section of the movie shows many men who are receiving prosthetic limbs to help them return to completing the tasks they participated in prior to their injuries. This is where Sawyer gets his inspiration in how he can help Winter.

Sawyer gains the idea of getting a prosthetic specialist to consider Winter's situation and get him involved with helping her out. Eventually, they create a prosthetic tail for the dolphin to help her return to her previous lifestyle. However, the first prototype that they create for Winter doesn't work because her body rejects it. They continue altering the prototypes and designs until they find an option that will work best for her. Her story is so inspiring that she then becomes a main attraction at the aquarium nearby.  

However, the film itself doesn't just focus completely on the story of winter. There are many other subplots that are included within the film which add more value to the overall message. Sawyer's cousin, who was previously a successful swimming champion, decides to join the army but is sent back home because of an injury that affects him. Throughout this portion of the film, we can sense that he is giving up and losing hope. However, when he sees Winter and her own disability, and also her chances at true recovery, he is inspired by her and realizes the value of not giving up. Likewise, Sawyer is initially dealing problems in school and is considered to be a social outcast, but throughout the film, we see how Winter has a positive effect on them and teaches him the value of the help he is providing her, almost as if she is providing him with life lessons. The staff of the hospital that ends up helping Sawyer and Winter also provides substance, as one of the doctor's has a daughter that becomes best friends with Sawyer. 

Additionally, the film has a star-studded cast, which is another reason that it will attract families to theatres. Actors such as Morgan Freeman, Kris Kristofferson, and Harry Connick Jr. help to hold up a well-written script full of both heart-wrenching and entertaining scenes. They also help the film to be a story that both children and adults can enjoy. Parents will enjoy seeing recognizable faces in a role that they can comfortably watch with their children. Morgan Freeman once more revisits one of his popular roles of being the kind-hearted character who gives in to helping others selflessly. In general, the roles of Kristofferson, Freeman, and Connick Jr. are all quality and memorable performances. 

Overall, this review of the movie - Dolphin Tale helps to show some of what you can expect if you visit your local theatre to watch it. Is Dolphin Tale worth the price of the typical movie ticket? If you are an appreciator of animal stories and looking for something that you can enjoy with the rest of the family, it is well worth the ticket. Since it is inspired by a true story, those who already know about Winter will want to come to the theatres to see the fictionalized portrayal. Those who don't know will want to see the film to learn more and may possibly take an interest in learning about the real story of Winter as well. If the film is as well-received as the plot is written, it may even become another one of the popular family favorites, such as Free Willy. 

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