Because of Winn-Dixie (2005)

User Rating:

6.1/10   

Director:

Wayne Wang

Writers (WGA):

Kate DiCamillo (novel)
Joan Singleton (screenplay)

Release Date:

18 February 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Family

Tagline:

Discover what happens when you go looking for a miracle and a miracle comes looking for you.

Plot:

A mischievous dog befriends a lonely young girl in a new town and helps her make new friends.

Plot Keywords:

Dog | Small Town | Preacher | Candy | Library

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

AnnaSophia Robb	...	Opal
Jeff Daniels	...	Preacher
Cicely Tyson	...	Gloria
Dave Matthews	...	Otis
Eva Marie Saint	...	Miss Franny
Courtney Jines	...	Amanda Wilkinson
Nick Price	...	Dunlap Dewberry
Luke Benward	...	Stevie Dewberry
Elle Fanning	...	Sweetie Pie Thomas
Marca Price	...	Mrs. Dewberry
Lenore Banks	...	Mrs. Detweller
B.J. Hopper	...	Mr. Alfred
John McConnell	...	Store Manager
Harland Williams	...	Policeman
William Arthur Pitts	...	Churchgoer 1

MPAA:

Rated PG for thematic elements and brief mild language.

Runtime:

106 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Spain:T | Argentina:Atp | Brazil:Livre | Canada:G (Ontario) | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Iceland:LH (video rating) | South Korea:All | Australia:PG | UK:U | USA:PG (certificate #41140) | Ireland:PG

Filming Locations:

Louisiana, USA

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Trivia:

The film's mouse was played by a rat. The choice was made carefully because while a mouse would have been preferable, rats are much easier to train.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: Since the movie was filmed in Louisiana you would expect the police there to have the state of Louisiana emblem on the police cars and uniforms but they don't. Instead they have the state of Florida on them.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Opal: Safe!

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Troldspejlet: (#35.14)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

Pet Store Humming

Worthwhile movie

First, I want to dispel any rumors about this being a "sappy" movie. This movie is an adaptation of a well-known children's book, and should be judged as such. For those of us that want more from our entertainment than shoveling base garbage, it provides a nice change. This movie is in the same type of movie as an "Anne of Green Gables" or other juvenile movie. It has no nudity, profanity, nor did we see anybody sleeping with anybody. A nice change.

What a wonderful movie. The story is very similar to Pollyanna (at least in the girls ability to involve herself in the community). It has a very positive message, and there is not one thing that I would feel bad taking any of my children to see. As a matter of fact, they will all see it by the week's end. I haven't read the book, but my 13 year-old daughter has and told me how good it is. I will have to read it now. It was an engaging tale, and technically was very well done. The acting was good (some very talented actors were involved) and there was some very good film work. The moving clouds with the scene changes were a nice touch and the music was very appropriate. I know there has been a lot of talk in the media about Dave Matthews in this film, and he was a nice addition. His acting was OK, but his music was definitely a welcome addition. His guitar playing in various spots was warm and fit like your favorite chair.

There were a number of good messages throughout the movie. Some were very overt (the discussion between Gloria and Opal about judging someone on an event without knowing the whole story), and some were a little more below the surface (time moving on, bringing new challenges, and keep living). In case you don't get them, they usually give you a clue in the dialogue somewhere. It sure gave me lots of topics I could use to teach with my children. The most important theme is the primary theme for the movie. The truly important thing in life is the relationships we have with others. Opal demonstrated by becoming part of the lives of those Winn Dixie led her to.

This is one movie that will go on my video shelf (when it's not in the DVD player).