At the center of our story is Annabel, a young happy-go-lucky woman living with her grandfather. Everything in Annabel's life is turning up roses: living the beach life with a loving parental figure and a dolphin for a best friend. Our antagonists are quickly established as Anna's other set of grandparents swoop in with the shadiest lawyer to whisk her away back to the states. What could've been a simple story is surprisingly sweet, mostly due to the development of the characters and the strength of the actors. What begins as a relative innocent movie progresses to a frantic ending that will keep viewers engaged throughout.
Acting wise, Tyler Jade Nixon anchors the film as Annabel, our quirky heroine who's life is just as sunny as the island she lives on. Annabel is carefree with no worries (ah, to be young again) and Nixon plays the part wonderfully. Peter Woodward is the highlight of the film (sorry, Mitzy), showing a nice range of caution, jolly, distraught, and a hint of what could become desperate loneliness. Paired with Woodward is Dionne Lea Williams and together they have a comfortable chemistry that's equally believable and sweet. Bob Bledsoe's mustache-twirling Robert Carbunkle also shines and it's plain to see Bledsoe is having an immense amount of fun playing the shifty lawyer.
Directed by Mike Disa, Dolphin Island is no easy task: along with an ensemble cast of humans, Disa also makes great use of Mitzy; the titular dolphin of the story and Annabel's best friend. Mitzy's use is sporadic at first, but as the third act ramps up, the perpetually helpful mammal becomes just as important as Annabel. Disa also has a great eye for both the camera and characters on the screen. Props must be given to the cinematography: full use of the gorgeous blue waters, white sands, tropical settings, and bright sun are put on display here. The establishing shots are marvelous to see and Disa chooses not to skimp on them.
Overall, Dolphin Island is an incredibly sweet, fun film that can be enjoyed by all. A wonderful family movie with warmth, heart, and earnestness, it's a joy to watch. Solid performances, lush visuals, and good directing all combine to tell a feel good story in a tight, tidy 91 minutes. In a world that's become increasingly bitter, uplifting movies are always appreciated and this one is a fine addition to a weekend movie watching playlist.
Dolphin Island's production was sandwiched between Hurricane Dorian hitting the Bahamas and the COVID-19 pandemic. To help ease their financial burden, proceeds of the film are being given to the local cast and crew who on both sides of the camera. If you're looking for something new to watch as a family unit and you're interested in helping a nation get back on its feet, look no further than Dolphin Island. There's a number of platforms that are carrying the movie, all of which you can find here.
