BECAUSE OF
WINN-DIXIE
by Jane Louise
Boursaw
Rated PG (for
thematic elements and brief mild language). Directed by Wayne
Wang. Released in theaters Feb. 18, 2005.
10-year-old India
Opal Buloni (Anna Sophia Robb) moves with her preacher father (Jeff
Daniels) to the small Florida town of Naomi, where she finds loneliness
and sadness over the fact that her mother abandoned them seven years
ago.
Befriending a stray
dog she finds at the local Winn-Dixie supermarket, India discovers that
the mutt (whom she names Winn-Dixie) is a great way to meet people: Miss
Fanny Block (Eva Marie Saint), the town librarian; Otis (Dave Matthews),
an ex-con-turned-pet store clerk who sings to his charges; and Gloria
Dump (Cicely Tyson), an old, nearly-blind lady believed to be a witch by
the local kids. Winn-Dixie also sparks discussion between India and her
father about her long-gone mother.
This movie appeals
to all ages, but grade-schoolers, in particular, will get a kick out of
the mutt's wacky antics (and his funny ability to "smile" at
people).
Sadly, some kids will identify with India’s plight of a missing parent.
But most of all, they’ll learn that there’s all kinds of interesting
folks who are willing to lend an ear and be a friend.
Teens
familiar with rocker
Dave Matthews will get a kick out of seeing him on the big screen – his
second as a featured actor (Where the Red Fern Grows was his
first). But the Northern-Exposure-meets-Benji theme also provides plenty
of quirky characters and unexpected plot twists.
SIDE NOTE:
This movie is based on Kate DiCamillo’s first book, which won the
Newbery Medal in 2001, as well as a slew of other awards. After the
movie, encourage your kids to check out DiCamillo’s other award-winning
books, “Tiger Rising” and “The Tale of Desperaux.”
THE WRAP-UP:
A gentle, touching movie that shows how one girl (and a smiling dog) can
bring together a bunch of lonely people. I think we can all learn
something from that.
SCORE: 3 out of 4 Reels.
Jane's Reel Rating
System:
One Reel – Pathetic.
Even The Force can’t save it.
Two Reels –
Tolerable. Coulda been a contender.
Three Reels –
Pleasant. Something to talk about.
Four Reels – Wow! The
stuff dreams are made of.
E-chat with me
at
jane@reellifewithjane.com - I
LOVE to talk about movies!
Read my other reviews
here.
