Dolphin Tale

Title: Dolphin Tale

Format: In Theaters Now

Genre: Family, inspirational, Based on a True Story

Rating: PG

Director: Charles Martin Smith

Starring: Harry Connick Jr., Ashely Judd, Winter (the dolphin!), Morgan Freeman, Austin Stowell, Nathan Gamble (as Kyle)

The ocean is vast and beautiful, untamed and free. The wildlife that call these waters home are just as free as the sea itself and spend their days swimming and exploring. Unfortunately, these days in the sea aren't as carefree as they could be.

While out swimming a young dolphin was caught in a crab trap and was severely injured. The dolphin washed ashore and was lying helpless in the surf when a young boy happened by and helped her. Using a pocket knife he cut the rope away from the dolphin and talked to her. The dolphin whistled her thanks as a Marine rescue group rushed to the scene.

The dolphin is Winter and the boy is Kyle. Both lost for different reasons. Winter, facing the amputation of her too-damaged tale and possibly death and Kyle facing summer school, an absentee father and a cousin going off to war. They were unlikely friends, but exactly what the other needed.

With the expertise of a brilliant marine biologist and a prosthetic doctor and the unwavering faith of a boy, Winter slowly begins to heal. But Winter isn't the only one that's healing. She inspires hope to everyone that hears her name.

I saw a sneak peak of this movie a few weeks ago on the military base my husband works at (yes, I am late in getting this review up) and I will say that I only went because my son loves anything about sea life. I think he might be a marine biologist in the making.

Yes, I know you are thinking, Why wouldn't she want to see this movie? It's so wonderful and inspiring. To that, I agree, one hundred percent. But allow me to tell you this: I'm a big baby.

Yup, that's right. This kind of movie makes me cry and I don't like to cry. Lol. But, my son wanted to see it and so off we went.

It was a great movie. I would recommend it to all ages, to anyone who wants to feel inspired and feel good. At first I dreaded the whole "accident" scene fearing it would go into detail, but it didn't. We saw Winter lying on the beach, clearly hurt, but nothing too dramatic.

This is a wonderful tale, it teaches a lot of lessons that children (and adults!) can learn from.  It teaches never to give up, patience, friendship, love, and dedication.  It is a good reminder that miracles can happen.

I can see why Winter is such a symbol of hope to those who have been faced with any kind of rehabilitation.

So did I tear up in the movie?

Yeah, I did. But not because it was sad, because this movie isn't sad. It's hopeful and happy.

The actors in this movie did a wonderful job. Nathan Gamble, who played Kyle was great. He had an easy chemistry with Winter (who played herself), and he seemed at ease in the water and on camera. Harry Connick Jr. did a great job playing the Marine biologist who cares for Winter, he was convincing and fit right into the movie.

Frankly, there isn't anything I didn't like about the movie. It's worth the time to see it and is great for families.

So there you have it. My opinion.

This review is written by Cambria Hebert