Effective sentimental piece, and anti-advertisement for aquatic theme parks, about the bond between a troublesome foster child (despite super-cool foster parents) and a captive killer whale. The dialogue is often disarmingly simple-minded ("You saved my life," the towhead says to his 7000-pound pal, after spitting up water and regaining consciousness at the edge of the pool), and the photography, although overreliant on slow-motion, is clear and bright. And Willy (portrayed by Keiko) is not dishonored by a surrounding movie that can stand erect alongside such other cinematic whale tales as Moby Dick (the boat the captures Willy is called the Pequod), Orca, Star Trek IV, and the Disney cartoon, The Whale [named Willie, incidentally] Who Wanted to Sing at the Met. With Jason James Richter, Lori Petty, Jayne Atkinson, Michael Madsen, and August Schellenberg; directed by Simon Wincer. (1993) — Duncan Shepherd
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