Exceptionally adorable newcomer AnnaSophia Robb and a flocculent Picardy shepherd star in this fuzzy family flick based on the best-selling novel about a girl and her dog … in this case, a mutt that young India Opal Buloni (aw, even her name is cute) finds tearing up the supermarket for which she names him in the fictional backwater town of Naomi, Fla. (portrayed with convincing “boonie-ness” by Napoleonville, La.).
Directed by Wayne Wang (“The Joy Luck Club,” “Smoke”) from a screenplay by tyro scribe Joan Singleton, “Winn-Dixie” is the story of a broken-down town inhabited by a cast of likable if not unoriginal lost souls such as the eccentric librarian and town historian (Eva Marie Saint, on hand to constantly remind young Opal that things were better in the old days), the guitar-playing drifter (singer Dave Matthews), the town “witch” (Cicely Tyson in the movie’s best supporting role) and Opal’s heartbroken single dad (Jeff Daniels), a preacher who sure knows his way around a sentimental homily. Opal and Winn-Dixie make their daily rounds, spreading hope while stirring up the occasional bit of harmless mayhem. Some might be put off by the film’s anachronistic unreality and manifest righteousness, while others will no doubt revel in the quixotic Bushiness of it all. Make no mistake, Hollywood has taken notice of the Red State of affairs in this country, and “Because of Winn-Dixie” is a prime example. (Rated PG for thematic elements and brief mild language. Running time: 109 minutes)
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 18, 2005. Read the original PDF.