Susan Granger’s review of “Because of Winn-Dixie” (20th Century-Fox)
Aimed at kids too old for “Pooh’s Heffalump Movie” and too young for anything R-rated, this family-friendly tale is based on a Newberry Award-winning children’s novel by Kate Di Camillo. Poor India Opal Buloni (AnnaSophia Robb) hasn’t a friend in the world. Her alcoholic mother ran off years ago and her emotionally-distant preacher father (Jeff Daniels) has moved them to a tiny (fictional) town called Naomi, Florida, the former home of the Litmus Lozenge Company. Suddenly, into Opal’s life bounces a shaggy, smelly, stray dog whom she names after the supermarket where she found him. Despite threats from their cranky trailer-park landlord (B.J. Hooper), the wide-eyed 10 year-old and the scruffy, abandoned mutt form a firm bond of friendship as they discover the quirks and foibles of their new Southern neighbors. There’s the kindly librarian (Eva Marie Saint) who tells them about a bear stealing a copy of “War and Peace”; the gentle guitar-playing pet-store clerk (rocker Dave Matthews) who gives Opal a job; and an eccentric, blind recluse (Cicely Tyson), known as the Witch. Directed by Wayne Wang (“The Joy Luck Club”) from an episodic screenplay by Joan Singleton, the formulaic story unfolds in a style akin to magical realism, delicately delving into universal themes of loss, loneliness, longing and love. Newcomer AnnaSophia Robb captures the naivetŽ and innocence necessary for the role of Opal; she will next be seen with Johnny Depp in the upcoming “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, “Because of Winn-Dixie” is a sensitive, sweet, sentimental 7. It’s heart-warming, old-fashioned family fare.
