There’s something truly special about a story that gently reminds us of life’s simple joys and the magic that often lies just around the corner. In 2012 Hollywood would bless us with such a movie in the form of The Magic of Belle Isle (or, Once More as it’s known to us in the UK), and it would be like a good old cuddle from your favourite dog. I mean, it’s from Rob Reiner, what else could we expect?
Well. Provided you forgot about the “Misery” of it all in the back of the room.
We’re introduced to Monte Wildhorn (Morgan Freeman), he’s known for a few Western Adventure type novels but it’s been a while since he’s published anything. He’s generally fed up with his lot in life since the death of his wife and confinement to a wheel chair thanks to a car accident involving a drunk driver. We find him grumpy, battling with his own alcohol problems and seemingly unable to do anything with his trusty typewriter than stare at it.
At the insistence of his nephew he’s brought to the lakeside town of Belle Isle, he finds himself one of those little cabins that are achingly beautiful but only ever seem to be found in movies.
It isn’t long before Monte meets Charlotte (our Virginia Madsen). She’s a single mother of three who hasn’t had the best of luck herself, but she gets on with it the best she can. It’s not an unfamiliar character in this kind of movie, but Virginia brings a lot of heart to this role as she always does. It’s not a massive change up from the Charlotte we saw in Diminished Capacity character wise, but when it’s done this well you aren’t ever going to complain. Strong, gentle and yet oh so tough.
Charlotte and Monte strike up a friendship when perhaps they shouldn’t. Not shouldn’t, that’s not the right word – Perhaps it’s more you wouldn’t think of them as natural friends but you see them together and you’d think they’d known each other forever.
Monte takes a particular shine to one of Charlotte’s daughters, Finnegan (Emma Fuhrmann). Through her young eyes Monte begins to see the world anew. Finnegans endless curiosity and dreams of one day becoming a writer awaken something forgotten in Monte and allows him to enjoy being himself again.
Belle Isle itself is like a character in the film, and it’s impossible not to fall in love with its charming, small-town vibe. With its peaceful lakeside views, lush greenery, and the comforting hum of community life, the town feels like a safe haven—a place where time slows down and where healing can happen in the most unforced ways. Rob Reiner’s direction captures this idyllic setting perfectly, inviting the audience to take a deep breath and settle into the slower pace of a summer spent by the lake.
Ahhhhhhhhhhh. It’s nice to think that in a world like we have today, that a place like that could (or, should) exist. I can’t help but think it’s a little too idyllic – Maybe I’m just getting as old and cynical as Monte.
The Magic of Belle Isle, isn’t a film I’d normally watch. But I can’t help but be pulled in by its charm. Perhaps I was feeling soft when I watched it. Perhaps it’s just that good a film it can force you to like it by not giving you any reason to not like it. It never pretends to be anything it’s not. There aren’t any dramatic twists to the plot, there is no last minute revelation which turns the whole thing on its head. It’s just a good old fashioned story about two people who needed a little bit of niceness in their lives and they didn’t really dare to hope they’d find it.
I honestly don’t know if I’d have liked this film without Morgan Freeman or Virginia Madsen being a part of it. They’re both characters who I can’t really see being played by anyone else now that I’ve seen them do it. Of course Morgan Freeman is just as much a master of his craft as Virginia Madsen is of hers. The chemistry between them is definitely there for all to see.
And, it seems not just on screen. In interviews Virginia has spoken highly of Mr Freeman, speaking with Movie Mom she says;
“Can you imagine, first of all, I meet him on the red carpet. He’s tall, he’s handsome, he was in a white tuxedo, a white jacket with black tie, and he just looked so cool, man. And I just went up to him and it was just, he had that big smile and the Morgan Freeman voice and I was like, “This is going to be just fine.” We just had instant chemistry. And then, not intimidating at all, to sit through two hours of magnificence and genius of Morgan Freeman and everyone telling what a genius he is…and I’m like, “I’m the luckiest girl in the whole wide world!” I was the luckiest girl in the room that night, and it did turn out to be just a breeze. It was easy to work with him.”
And it’s not just Morgan Freeman she was happy to work with, talking about working with Ron Reiner, Virginia Madsen was equally enthusiastic when talking to Working Author;
“On the set was happiness and joy and real family feeling, because I think we’ve been talking a lot about the kind of atmosphere Rob creates on his sets and it’s – I think because everything has the appearance of being laidback, and yet he’s extremely focused, and he works really fast so everyone has to be on their toes. But there’s this atmosphere of everything being laidback and easy, so people can be very open and their creativity can soar.”
I mean, honestly – Watching and reading about this one has been wholesome from start to finish.
In short, it’s another of Virginia’s films that is best saved for a lazy Sunday with a cup of tea or coffee, perhaps a blanket to snuggle under.
Availability:
Good! One that you shouldn’t have a problem finding on DVD at all – In case you missed it, it’s called “Once More” in some regions. Other than that it’s all good.
Gallery:
Trailer:
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