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Back Shelf Beauties
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Because of Winn-Dixie I hope Walden Media, 20th Century Fox and Winn Productions, who produced the film, all received a big fat check from the Winn Dixie grocery store company because the free advertising related to this movie is worth millions. Of course, I don't want it to escalate the trend in product placement in movies by tempting studios and production companies to name other characters after advertisers. No one is ready for Brad Pitt to play a superhero named 7-11 whose superpower is his convenient location and ability to serve you 24 hours a day (aided by his sidekick, The Coca-Cola with Lime Kid). AnnaSophia Robb stars as Opal - a precocious, lonely 10-year old who just moved to the small town of Naomi, Florida with her preacher father (Jeff Daniels). She spends her days wishing for new friends, and wondering whatever happened to her absent mother, when Opal decides to adopt a stray dog she meets in the local Winn Dixie. Dad isn't too thrilled about this twist in fate, and the landlord, Mr. Alfred (BJ Hopper), forbids pets, so she has the rest of the summer to find the dog's real owner. During this magical summer, Winn Dixie helps introduce Opal to other lonely people throughout the town, and becomes her best friend. Can they find Winn-Dixie's real owner? Because of Winn-Dixie is not heavy on plot, but it is a series of charming adventures with common, heart warming themes about finding friendship and dealing with hardship. Writer Joan Singleton (based on the novel by Kate DiCamillo) provides plenty of wildly imaginative tales to excite the mind and please little kids, who will fall in love with the cutest dog in the world (aided by a computer generated smile that is much less creepy in the movie than in the commercials on TV). We are amused throughout the film by stories about animals who show up in the darndest places and a candy that makes you remember some of your most heartbreaking moments (gee, you wonder why that candy company went out of business). However, Singleton and director Wayne Wang help give the movie a level of sophistication that sets it apart from the run of the mill children's movie. Without a doubt, this is because of DiCamillo's characters, and she should get the credit for this, but many of the characters have troubles and events in their pasts that they wish to forget, while also possessing loving souls, which allows this ten-year old and her dog to bring them out of their shells. This angle to the movie makes it more interesting for older children and parents alike, even when some of the adult characters (the Winn Dixie employees, a police officer) seem too silly for their own good. Robb is another reason to like this movie. With Dakota Fanning quickly moving toward the age of tweendom, and Haley Joel Osment starting to shave, Robb seems poised to become America's favorite cute little kid (she'll play Violet in this summer's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). She shows great range in Because of Winn-Dixie as she mixes an easily apparent precociousness with an ability to handle sadness and believable wonderment. Opal is a tough role as Robb is asked to show us the little girl's pain when she loses those close to her, some childish obstinance to get her way without being snotty, and the pure joy only a kid can experience. Shockingly, I felt the best adult performance was given by singer/songwriter Dave Matthews, who makes his character, Otis, a soulful musician who has a special way with animals. He understands how to easily and effortlessly show Otis' sorrow without becoming melodramatic. Who knew the guy could act? Daniels has his moments as the Dad, and, along with Robb, truly shines in a dramatic climax. Because of Winn-Dixie could use more of a plot and less silly caricatures, but it delivers a pleasant evening of family viewing. 2 ½ Waffles Out of 4 Copyright 2005 - WaffleMovies.com
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