Don't Believe the Hype

Am I Missing Something?

How wonderful it is to see this fine actress carry a film and carry it so beautifully.

Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.

I stumbled across this film when I was looking for a good family film to watch. I read some of the reviews on here and figured, "hey, people are saying that this movie is legit. I should watch it". Big mistake on my part, I should have read the more critical reviews because I think that they hit the nail on the head. I started watching the movie and found that it moved super slowly and didn't develop the story much. And, it definitely didn't help that the acting was sub-par. I understand that the main actress is a young girl (I gave this film two stars which is more generous than I really thought was justified) but there was no real breakout performance by anyone. I liked Dave Matthews' performance but that was really it. To sum it all up, I really do not recommend this movie to anyone. Save yourself the boredom and find something to watch on you-tube instead of this flick.

(Originally published on Feb. 17, 2005) Okay, it's silly, dopey and sickeningly sweet, but there is something irresistible about this new 20th Century-Fox kids' flick, "Because of Winn-Dixie," starring Jeff Daniels ("Terms of Endearment," "Aranchnophobia") as a sullen preacher raising his flaxen-haired, big-eyed daughter, India Opal (Annasophia Robb), in the backwater town of Naomi, Fla.Populated by old buildings, rusted automobiles and run-down trailer parks, as well as surly citizens (but no friends Opal's age), Naomi (Australia filling in here for the Sunshine State) is not a bright spot in this girl's life, who's own mother left several years before.Her father, morose and distant, is no help, either, as he cannot even seem to care for himself, let alone her or his dwindling congregation.Then, one day, while picking up macaroni and cheese at the local Winn-Dixie grocery outlet, Opal rescues a wild dog that has already trashed the place. This is the first of several scenes in which the big, ugly mongrel (a Picardie Shepherd, which resembles a cross between a werewolf and a llama with a really creepy "smile") runs amok and wrecks things (Opal's trailer, a pet shop, a church, etc.).It gets to be old after a while, and soon I - an ardent dog lover - was even questioning my own fondness for the species. Despite this, Opal takes the flea-bitten mutt home and tries to convince dad to let her keep it.At first, like anyone in their right mind, he says no, but we all know he will have a change of heart, and, tossing common sense out the window, he caves in like a cheap card table. Meanwhile, in an effort to purchase the dog a collar, the girl takes a job sweeping floors and picking up trash at the local pet shop run by none other than musician Dave Mathews, who plays ex-con Otis (he served time, no doubt, because of his incoherent singing/mumbling).Little Opal can be annoying and whiny herself, but she has a good heart, really cares for the pup, seeks knowledge about her missing mom and really wants to get close to her father. Daniels plays the humiliated reverend - forced to accept free rent and preach to his tiny flock gathered in a former convenience store - very well. It was the same role that Walter Huston excelled in 1938's "Of Human Hearts." The young lady begins to spend a little too much time with the dog, however, constantly talking to it while actually believing that it understands her. later, Opal meets lonely librarian, Miss Franny (Eva Marie Saint, Academy Award winner for "On the Waterfront"), and local eccentric, Gloria Dump (Cicely Tyson, Emmy Award winner for "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pitman"), as well as others closer to her age.There's Amanda Wilkinson (Courtney Jines), "Sweetie Pie" Thomas (Ella Fanning, Dakota's little sis) and the irritating Dewberry Brothers (Nick Price and Luke Benward). Add to this mix the arrogant, bumbling sheriff (Harland Williams, "There's Something About Mary") and crotchety trailer park owner, Alfred (B.J. Hooper), and blend in a happy ending, and you have a decent family movie.It's uneven and downright ridiculous at times, but for some strange reason, it's difficult not to like - somehow.

Hello, We LOVE this movie, there are many things going on. AnnaSophia for this being her 1st movie did an AMAZING Job and considering how her career has gone since then, I see GREAT things for this young actress: that being said I would say she has NOTHING do with what you are going to read about next:but what really angered us was the commentary by jeff daniels. What a self righteous egotistical jerk!!! He talks about how HE provides all the comedic relief and how he had to basically teach AnnaSophia EVERYTHING!!! He doesn't not have that many lines and most of them are telling her what to do or not to do. at one in his commentary with (I think it is either the prouder or director) they made a comment about Gloria's ghost tree and how Opal's doesn't have any thing on it. and jeff say that is because "ANNASHOPIA (NOT OPAL) is Not an alcoholicYET". I live in MI and have met jeff daniels in the small town he is from and where his theatre is and I am grateful to him for try to get movies filmed here in our beautiful state but these comments about ASR just really annoyed me, it is almost like he was jealous that she out did him. one other thing he says "they ALWAYS CAST me to work with Kids because they know I would not be too easy on them." WHAT??? I can think of GREAT movies with out him as the dad, and have even won Oscars.Don't get me wrong I don't hate Jeff Daniels or anything I just feel his comments were WAY out of line especially for being on a children's moviethank you for reading my rambling. Hope you enjoyed the movie as much as we doTammi

At least if they're under 5...my 2&half year old loves this movie so much, & I've found it to be such a blessing that I just had to come here & give it props. Opal is great, Dave M. is cool, the story is wonderful, the music is perfect. My lil girl knows the entire script for this movie, & digs it more than Elmo or any other of the hundred or so kid movies in the house. Folks...your kids learn A lot from movies/television...when they're glued to good stories like this one, take it to heart. I found it amusing on here that a few folks were surprised this movie was only for young kids. I've never read the book but the movie could not have been put together any better.