Customer Reviews

Eye of the Dolphin

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

While I didn't write this review, I thought it was important to share because it really speaks out about what's important about the movie.

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In Eye of the Dolphin, Alyssa is a troubled teen. She's recently lost her mother and is in trouble in school (and wearing way too much make-up so we know she's troubled). When her grandmother can do no more for her, she takes Alyssa to the Bahamas to meet the father she never knew she had (and vice versa). Her father, Dr. James Hawk, is researching dolphin communication in hope of being able to understand them. Alyssa and her father must find a way to rescue her life from the edge of catastrophe. Can they each rescue each other from their troubles?

OK, that sounds a lot like some kind of after school special. And in many ways, it is. That isn't saying anything bad about it, but it does have a target audience of teens and parents. Such a film may not develop characters and relationships as fully as other films might, but the film is designed to focus on an issue.

The real issue that is dealt with in the film is communication. Communication and its difficulties are central to the storyline. The research into communication with dolphins serves to sets the stage for the challenges that the characters face in their struggles to hear and be heard.

There are many things that get in the way of real communication. One is distraction by other voices. In the film, this is shown through the ear buds that people use while listening to iPods or earphones that Hawk often wears as he listens to the dolphins. These shut out other voices. I think the film thinks it's a good thing that in her first encounter with the dolphins, they steal Alyssa's iPod and ruin it.

Yet another obstacle to communication is being too busy. Hawk especially is so consumed with his research that he doesn't pay attention to those around him, even those who can help or hinder him. It is always easy to put people off when we think we're doing something important. Often, however, we miss something far more important because we haven't been ready to listen.

Sometimes we just refuse to listen. Alyssa's grandmother gave her a stack of letters that Hawk had written to her mother through the years. They are all unopened. Could what was in those letters have made any difference in their lives? Not when the words don't pass from one person to another.

But the film also shows us that communication is possible. Hawk's girlfriend Tami takes Alyssa to Tami's mother's grave, where she talks to her mother. Here the film begins to tell us that true communication involves a bit of a spiritual level. Communication is not just hearing, but connecting to the other person.

When Alyssa is asked if she thinks dolphins can talk, she says the problem is, "we just don't know how to listen right." That insight reflects all the issues that challenge the way the various characters hear (or not) one another. Listening is not just about the words, but in knowing the right way of listening, which involves connecting to one another.

It is that spiritual component to listening that will provide the opportunity for the relationship between Alyssa and her father to grow and for the problems that they face to be overcome.

We too need to pay attention to our communication, be it with the people around us or our communication with God. There are always obstacles to our being heard and to our listening. Often Jesus ended a parable by saying, "Let anyone with ears to hear listen." He really didn't mean that listening was a matter only of the ears. He also expects us to listen with our hearts, where true communication takes place.

- Darrell Manson

First let me say that I and everyone in my family thoroughly enjoyed this film. The combination of Animals (in this case Dolphins) interacting with humans, has always been appealing to audiences in Hollywood feature films, Eye of the Dolphin is no different. Aside from that and the remarkable production value with plenty of under water scenes, this is a true family movie and is a tribute to the independent film makers of the world. If you review this film like a 100 million or even 20 million dollar film, on some level that is probably flattering to the producers, as they made this film for considerably less. That being said, this film is all about communication and not just (although it is addressed) limited to communicating with dolphins, and that is something that just cannot be stressed enough in any and all families. This is a values based film and one that all parents with tweens and teens should love. Carly Schroeder has both charisma and a genuiness about her that comes across beautifully. This family drama about a parent and a child discovering each other is a must see.

Great film!

It reminds me of those old Disney classics like Robinson Crusoe or Swiss Family Robinson! It takes you on an adventure that you never want to return from! I would definitely recommend this to families especially those with pre-teen or teenage girls.

And I love Carly Schroeder! Why can't she be in more movies? She's much better than the vapid, vacuous wannabes who call themselves actresses. (*COUGH* Lindsay *COUGH* Lohan!)

Frankly, I thought this movie might be a bit slow and boring, but I and my family really enjoyed it. A lot more realistic about dolphins than, say, "Flipper". I highly recommend "Eye of the Dolphin" for any age movie watcher!

I was glad to see a lot of positive reviews on this website. This film truly deserves some good ratings. It's a fun, well done family film. I'll admit some of the acting isn't world class but Carly Schroeder is a fresh new talent and enjoyable to watch.

As for any comments that this film is not "family friendly," the drug use is brief and condemned and condemned. As for the condom: God forbid a film promotes safe sex to teens. Anyone who doesn't think 14 year olds know about sex is just fooling themselves.

Saw this movie in an advance screening. I really like it. I relate to the main character Alyssa a lot. I don't understand why someone would think it's not "family friendly"? just like "Janet Boyer" who posted a review earlier... I think it's totally suitable for teenagers, at least the smart ones.
What exactly is "family friendly"?
If the girl in the movie doesn't smoke joint, there are still tons of young people being attracted to drugs. If the girl doesn't toss the condom to her grandmother, the sex still exists. The real world exists even if we adults as parents only send out the most controlled, naive messages; there are still death, drugs, sex, violence in the world and what is left to the young people is a bigger confusion that they can't get true answers from us who they trust with all their heart.
The right thing to do is not covering but to deal with it, and appreciate the great courage the characters show in the movie; and the first step of dealing with it is to face it.
And what is the true meaning of "family friendly"? I guess it's the belief that individuals with the support from their family will overcome any obstacles along their way. They may get lost sometimes but they burry their grief and accomplish something their family will take proud of.
If this lady did stay longer than 20 min and saw the end of the movie, I believe she will agree that in the end the girl's late mother will take proud of what she has accomplished. I myself, after watching the movie, sincerely feel happy for Alyssa because growing up is knowing that life is not perfect but you still love it.

I picked this DVD up at the library. The story moves along slowly with poor acting by pretty much unknown actors. It is the typical Disney style story of the troubled teen whose life is spiraling out of control only to find her father who she thought was dead. Of course in the beginning father rejects this sudden surprise and a series of events happen that bring them together in the end. I quit watching the movie and tossed it back in the return box at the library. Zzzzzzzz

For awhile, I thought this was going to be mostly a remake of the wonderful 1970s Mike Nichols-directed "Day of the Dolpin" with George C. Scott. Both are about dolphin research in the Bahamas. Both are about groups of money-grubbing people who want to stop the research. The major difference (beside the terrorist-political aspect of "Day") is that this one has the lost-father, lost-daughter aspect, which sometimes almost gets in the way of the main point--people and dolphins have to communicate. My recommendation is: see both movies. In their individual ways, both are excellent.

I saw this film at the theater with my wife and 14 year old son. And although the movie is targeted at young teen girls, it is enjoyable for both boys and girls. This is the story of a troubled teen girl by the name of Alyssa. And to be brief, when things get out of hand for her, she is sent to the Bahamas to live with the father she thought was dead and never knew she had. And to not give too much away, Alyssa finally learns to think about and communicate with others, shomething we should all learn. When I saw it, there were those who thought it too long, others too short as the plot took time to develep and expand on each character. This to me means it was the correct length. This is truly a diamond in the rough as it is better than all the reviews I have read.

Eye of the Dolphin is an awesome "feel good" kind of movie. Beautiful blue waters, dolphins and Carly Schroder. Can't ask for much more.