winndixie

Sometimes we forget that a children's movie can excel in its element. Often a children's film is
reviewed as if it were supposed to be an adult drama.

"Because of Winn-Dixie" is a very powerful film that deserves a lot of credit over tepid kids' fare like
"Spongebob Squarepants" and the slew of other animated disasters these days.

The film tells the story of a little girl, Opal, who finds herself in a new small town with her father, no
friends and a strange dog she names Winn-Dixie. Let the misadventures begin!

This film is comparable in scope and drama with "To Kill a Mockingbird." Opal's discoveries during
her summer vacation bring a small, tired town back together as she searches for purpose.

Jeff Daniels, who plays Opal's father, delivers a stunning, understated performance brimming with
sincerity. The most surprising casting coup is singer Dave Matthews' role as Otis, the caretaker of
a local pet store. Matthews' acting is surprisingly grounded and authentic. He brings significant
weight to his Boo Radley-like role, and the inclusion of some guitar playing doesn't hurt either.

In an age of films replete with digital effects, "Winn-Dixie" is a refreshing change of pace, focusing
on the evolution of characters over shallow spectacle.

The film deals with powerful issues on a level adults will appreciate as well as one that the children
watching will be able to understand. Divorce, alcoholism, death and loss are all woven into Opal's
story with striking fluidity.

The filmmakers have managed to adapt this book to the screen adeptly, and the result is a
children's drama rather than a simple children's story. Jaded adults might find little to enjoy in a
smiling dog's effect on a small American town, but this story is for the young and the young at
heart, and its messages are worth hearing.

This film easily earns its place alongside "Stand By Me," "My Dog Skip" and "To Kill a Mockingbird"
as an eventual children's classic. If you're like me and stopped aging when you were five years
old, see this movie. "Winn-Dixie" proves there's still some heart in Hollywood.