If it weren't for Bogart and Bacall, Scott and Van Devere would be my all-time favorite acting couple. The two thespians are masters of their craft and have the uncanny knack of making an absurd motion picture tolerable by their acting abilities. The Day of the Dolphin is a perfect case in point.
This absurd film focuses on an isolated marine research center operated by demanding, anti-social marine biologist/linguist expert Dr. Terrell (Scott) and his wife Maggie (Van Devere). They have effectively taught a dolphin named Alpha how to communicate in English. Once news of this slips out a secret, evil government agency wants the dolphins in order to assassinate an unpopular president. The dolphins will be outfitted with mines on their heads in order to swim undetected and plant said mines on the president's ship. Yes, the plot is that absurd.
STORY: $ (The screenplay is terrible--simply put. This is supposed to be a thriller but there is a noticeable lack of tension throughout the entire film. When we're first introduced to Trish Van Devere's Maggie she is laid up in bed with a wounded leg having had a mishap with Alpha in the tank. This little ordeal is never even discussed the rest of the film, in fact Trish is perfectly fine the next time we see her and she never enters the tank with Alpha the rest of the run time. Also, when George C. Scott gets wise to the assassination plot, his boat runs low on gas and he must turn around and wait, hoping the dolphins don't follow through with their orders. This is a horrible screenplay with weak plot development and characterization).
ACTING: $$$$ (What makes this film watchable are the strong performances by the leads. George C. Scott, who gets my vote for the greatest actor ever, shines as a cantankerous scientist who just wants to be left alone to do his research. He brings far more depth to this character than most actors could bring. Paul Sorvino shines as a shady freelance writer who seems to know more than he lets on. Trish Van Devere, who is an exceptional actress when given time to showcase her skills, has little to do because the screenwriter couldn't flesh out her character. All she is given is clichéd dialogue to set-up George C. Scott's characterization. Fritz Weaver is fine as George's financial backer and Edward Herrmann of LOST BOYS fame is fine in an early role. John David Carosn and Victoria Racimo do a solid job as youthful help at Scott's marine sanctuary).
SEXUALITY: None
This absurd film focuses on an isolated marine research center operated by demanding, anti-social marine biologist/linguist expert Dr. Terrell (Scott) and his wife Maggie (Van Devere). They have effectively taught a dolphin named Alpha how to communicate in English. Once news of this slips out a secret, evil government agency wants the dolphins in order to assassinate an unpopular president. The dolphins will be outfitted with mines on their heads in order to swim undetected and plant said mines on the president's ship. Yes, the plot is that absurd.
STORY: $ (The screenplay is terrible--simply put. This is supposed to be a thriller but there is a noticeable lack of tension throughout the entire film. When we're first introduced to Trish Van Devere's Maggie she is laid up in bed with a wounded leg having had a mishap with Alpha in the tank. This little ordeal is never even discussed the rest of the film, in fact Trish is perfectly fine the next time we see her and she never enters the tank with Alpha the rest of the run time. Also, when George C. Scott gets wise to the assassination plot, his boat runs low on gas and he must turn around and wait, hoping the dolphins don't follow through with their orders. This is a horrible screenplay with weak plot development and characterization).
ACTING: $$$$ (What makes this film watchable are the strong performances by the leads. George C. Scott, who gets my vote for the greatest actor ever, shines as a cantankerous scientist who just wants to be left alone to do his research. He brings far more depth to this character than most actors could bring. Paul Sorvino shines as a shady freelance writer who seems to know more than he lets on. Trish Van Devere, who is an exceptional actress when given time to showcase her skills, has little to do because the screenwriter couldn't flesh out her character. All she is given is clichéd dialogue to set-up George C. Scott's characterization. Fritz Weaver is fine as George's financial backer and Edward Herrmann of LOST BOYS fame is fine in an early role. John David Carosn and Victoria Racimo do a solid job as youthful help at Scott's marine sanctuary).
SEXUALITY: None