Nathan Gamble anbd Harry Connick. Jr in "Dolphin Tale"; photo courtesy of Warner Brothers

“Dolphin Tale” (Warner Brothers) 

“Dolphin Tale” is a heartwarming family film whose story is based on a true event. The focus of the film is on an injured dolphin named Winter (who plays herself). She loses her tail and a kind group of strangers work diligently to restore her to health and happiness. Harry Connick, Jr, Ashley Judd, Morgan Freeman and Nathan Gamble head up the cast and each plays an important role in Winter’s story.

Sawyer Nelson (Gamble) is an introverted teen. When the movie starts his believed cousin Kyle (Austin Stowell) is going off to war. This, plus the fact he has to attend summer school, really has him down in the dumps. One day he is cycling on the beach at his home in Clearwater, Florida. He spies a man trying to help a dolphin who is tangled up in some type of trap. When help arrives he follows the group back to the Marine Life Center.

There he meets a girl named Hazel (Cozi Zuehlsdorff) who is the daughter of the doctor (Connick) who treats the dolphins and other sea creatures. Sawyer and Winter bond and the doctor asks Sawyer to help with Winter’s treatment. Eventually Winter’s wounds result in her tail having to be removed. This causes a crisis and only a miracle of sorts can save her life.

The miracle takes the form of Dr. Cameron McCarthy (Freeman). He works with wounded veterans and is an expert on prosthetics. However he has never worked on animals so Winter will be quite a challenge.

The movie moves at a slow pace and lets the audience learn the characters as well as bond with Winter. The photography and the musical score add to the enjoyment of the film and all members of the family can enjoy this story.

Gamble is the stand out human star as Sawyer. He presents a complete picture of a boy who has faced desertion by his father, seen his favorite cousin go away to war, watched the struggles of his mother (Judd), and yet has bonded with a dolphin. It is a solid performance that anchors the film.

The film is rated PG for mild adult themes.

There is always a market for good family films and “Dolphin’s Tale” is certainly a good one. This story of a boy and his dolphin makes for wonderful entertainment.

I scored “Dolphin Tale” a swimming 7 out of 10.