Because of Winn-Dixie

Plot synopsis:
A 10-year-old girl named India Opal Buloni has just moved to a trailer park in the small town of Naomi, Florida, with her father who is known as The Preacher because he preaches at the local church. While in the Winn-Dixie supermarket, Opal sees a scruffy dog wrecking the store. Opal claims the dog is hers (but it is not), and takes it home to The Preacher. Opal christens the dog Winn-Dixie, after the supermarket. She asks her father to list ten things about her mother, who abandoned them.
Miss Franny Block, a librarian, shares great stories about her past including one about her great-grandfather, whose family members died while he was fighting for the South in the Civil War. He invented Littmus Lozenge candies, which tasted like root beer and strawberry but included a secret ingredient— sorrow. Anyone who tasted the candies tasted sweetness mixed with sadness. In Because of Winn-Dixie, these candies symbolize that even though life sometimes deals people a bit of sadness, there is always much to appreciate. Opal learns that her sour faced neighbor, Amanda Wilkinson, lost her brother Carson because he drowned. She vows to be nicer to her from then on.
Opal finds a dog collar that she wants to buy for Winn-Dixie but she has no money and decides to work for the pet store to earn it. Otis, the owner of Gertrude's Pets, is unwilling to hire Opal as a cleaning girl, but she comes to work. When Opal and Winn-Dixie step into the store, the animals panic when they see the big dog. Otis plays his guitar to calm them. Opal learns that Otis once went to jail for hurting a police officer after he was told that he could not play his guitar on the street because he was disturbing others.
Opal was riding her bike while Winn-Dixie pulled ahead and they meet a woman named Gloria Dump. They become good friends. Opal and recovering alcoholic Gloria Dump decide to host a small party, inspired by the party in Gone With the Wind, inviting everyone they know. In the process, Opal becomes a friend to her former enemies, the brothers Stevie and Dunlap Dewberry. She also invites Amanda Wilkinson and Sweetie Pie Thomas, a girl who has no pet, and so had fallen in love with Winn-Dixie. Otis and Miss Franny Block are also invited.
They set up everything outside, but it starts to rain, so they bring the party inside. Opal can't find Winn-Dixie anywhere, even after searching the town. Ten minutes later she returns to Gloria's home to discover that Winn-Dixie had been there all the time, hiding because he is scared of storms. The book ends with Otis playing his guitar and everyone singing one of The Preacher's songs.

Tags: storytelling, flashback

Review:
However, the movie is much deeper than that, and while it has many feel good moments, it is more about tough times and imperfect lives than anything, but shines wonderfully.My 3rd grade daughter loved it, but my 7th grade daughter, who we thought might be too old for it, loved it even more!I would definitely recommend "Because of Winn-Dixie" to families looking for a movie to watch together and who want thought provoking questions for their children to ponder and ask about.
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).
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)..
No matter what others say, I think that Winn-Dixie is a great movie that every member of the family can watch and enjoy.
My advice is, if you're looking for a great family film, to see Because of Winn-Dixie..
The movie is about a young girl who finds a dog when she visits Winn Dixie to do grocery shopping for her father, who is the pastor in the small town in which she lives.
Based on the Newbery Award-winning children's book by Kate DiCamillo, Because of Winn-Dixie, brings some much-needed sincerity to this Spring's forthcoming line-up of family films.
Winn-Dixie, which comes to theatres February 18, stars newcomer AnnaSophia Robb as 10-year-old India Opal Buloni, who finds herself struggling to make friends in her new home, the small town of Naomi, Florida.
Their relationship is changed, however, when Opal is sent to the local Winn-Dixie store for some groceries and brings home a goofy, bumbling mutt with a knack for making friends and a unique ability to smile.
Director Wayne Wang, whose previous films include The Joy Luck Club and Anywhere But Here, avoids much of the whimsical elements that turn off older viewers, portraying some of the more far-fetched scenes through imaginative flashbacks that occur only in Opal's mind.
Opal (AnnaSophia Robb), is a 10-year-old girl who has just moved to a small town in Florida with her preacher father (Jeff Daniels).
The story shows that a dog can bring happiness to a lonely girl and open up hearts of the people in town.
This movie starts a little slow, I only went to see it because Dave Matthews is in it...it starts slow yes, but it has it's moments, good moments, funny moments.
Winn-Dixie was a fun movie and the dog was really not the star of this one.
With Dave Matthews and Cicely Tyson playing wonderful roles, the characters in this film steal your heart.
The characters were very enjoyable and I thought the actors did a fine job.I noticed that everyone in the audience, children along with their parents had big smiles on their faces as we all got up to leave at the movie's end.
Joan Singleton adapted it for the screen and Wayne Wang directed a nice cast that produced a movie that, while some would think it's too sugary for their taste, it captured perfectly the essence of a small southern town.The sweet AnnaSophia Robb plays the leading role.
It has the right ingredients that prove to be a magical combination for family movies, a girl and a cute dog, a sure formula for appealing to audiences.
Yes, the dog is cute and the storyline is cute--why the children's book was good--but this movie is definitely one I don't recommend..
It should be no secret by now that "Because of Winn-Dixie" is a children's film, its target audience of pre-teens are meant to be entranced by the title character and the many cute animals even if they have not read the book from which the film was adapted.
But teenagers and adults should understand going in that "Because of Winn-Dixie" is not on the "family film" level of "Monkey Trouble" or "My Dog Skip".
Although 10 year old Opal (the main human character) is played realistically, Dakota Fanning's little sister Elle's character is (intentionally) one of the most sugary in film history, appropriately named Sweetie Pie Thomas.
It is quite a good book, and I recommend It to everyone, even if you disliked the movie.I went to see it with high hopes because earlier that day I had read that the author liked it.
It started out just fine, with Opal playing catch (with herself) with a nice song in the background by the Be Good Tonyas, then she goes to Winn-Dixie.
They leave and the Manager says "That dog almost licked mah face off!" This marks the end of the whimsical and original feel of the film, and it screeches into Stereotypical Kiddie Lane.Opal gets a job at the pet store run by Otis, played by Dave Matthews who did very well, and meets Sweetie-Pie Thomas.
She also has to deal with the landlord, who keeps threatening to send Dixie to the pound, befriends Miss Franny, Gloria Dump, and that pinch-nosed Amanda Wilkinson, has many sweet and fedjucational(fun educational) adventures that quite reminding me of "The Littlest Elf" from the Lemony Snicket books.But there is one good thing about this movie: the music.
Yes that is the backbone of lots of animal-themed movies, but usually those have good and funny moments.However this one failed to bring any real conflict.
It's a pretty standard kid's movie in which a lonely girl adopts a dog that results in adventures, misadventures and all sorts of friends.
There are solid performances by AnnaSophia Robb (a beautiful child who knows the difference between acting and whining), Jeff Daniels (who seems to be bordering on stolidity, not solidity as he gets older), Cicely Tyson, and Eva Marie Saint (two women who have aged better than mere mortals could ever expect).
Also, the movie is shot in a Deep South community that is so pretty, this native Washingtonian would like to travel to Dixie.There's real emotional and moral depth to this movie, but the movie makers apparently didn't have enough faith in the material because they jazz it up--and lose the focus of the film--with some very forced slapstick and an idiotic appearance by Harland Williams, a thoroughly annoying and repulsive non-actor, as a sheriff's deputy who has nothing to do in the film but harass children and guitar players and generally misuse the taxpayers' money.Because of Winn-Dixie fails from its lack of faith in the strength of its story.
If it were some silly, slapstick kiddie flick, it would have worked (and I would have tried to avoid it like the plague) and if it had been any more psychologically satisfactory and satisfying, well, you might have seen it as a Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation, not a mainstream theatrical presentation.It's worth the rental price only if you want to watch a decent story, while accepting the fact that the kiddies might check out (which would be unfortunate because most folks wouldn't rent Because of Winn-Dixie for themselves, but for family consumption)..
There are very few family movies these days that don't succumb to immature, off-color jokes, dumb characters walking around doing dumb things, and other terribly silly things that make the viewers say, "These filmmakers don't even know what a kid is, do they?" Because of Winn-Dixie is a simple story with extremely high production values, made by people who still care about quality entertainment.
What could have been a cookie-cutter Hollywood "family" film ends up being a wonderfully satisfying movie for kids and adults alike.Again, the story is a simple one, about a lonely girl who finds a friendly dog and together they bring happiness to a lonely town.
This is a highly recommended movie for families who want to watch clean family entertainment that leaves you feeling good!.
I was expecting a simple little movie about a dog and a girl named Opal.
Opal Buloni (Anna Sophia Robb) moved with her preacher father (Jeff Daniels) to the small town of Naomi, Florida.
Good movies devoid of special effects nonsense were few and far between in 2005, so along comes this near-perfect gem about a 10 year old girl and her preacher father and how the adopted dog changes their lives.
I love that first scene where the parrot lands on Winn Dixie's head, and Opel says okay so it's all set, thanks for the job you wont be sorry I'm a real hard worker as she is walking out the door, and Otis ( Matthews ) is trying to tell her he can't just hire her, then ends off resigned with "That's nice, thank you for listening", as the door closes behind her, that was sheer brilliance for this genre.
The film manages to capture the essence of something so good, and refreshing, it's truly a joy to watch.Or the scene where Dave Matthews is playing his guitar on the floor of the shop, and he has let all the animals out of their cages, and he's playing for them..
Hehe, something I'd do if I worked at a pet store.Then this other little girl walks in, sees the animals all over the store, in repose, and exclaims "I'm going to tell my my mom what I see" she points at Matthews playing the guitar and says, "That man is magic." She nods to herself, "He's a magic man!" like so matter of fact; you gotta love it.What we come to understand is each character in this movie has been abandoned by someone, and we feel their loss, and their renewal as the movie moves forward.
"Winn-Dixie" is a film which needs neither violence nor sexuality to hold your attention and pull you in.The most striking pleasure is Annasophia Robb as Opal, a young girl named Opal, recently moved with her preacher father to a small town (Naomi, Florida) and still missing her mother (who took off when Opal was three), When Opal befriends a mangy dog, Robb is able to express beautifully her desperate need for someone to fill a tangible void in her life.The setting, a small Southern town trying hard not to be a small dying Southern town, is spartan, allowing the developing relationships between the richly-painted characters to control the viewers' attention.
You know being a 22-year-old male and wanting to see a movie about a little girl finding a friend in a dog doesn't quite match up to well.
But I'm weird like that and I wanted to see "Because of Winn-Dixie." The trailer looked pretty decent and it's always nice to see Hollywood release a nice family film, which doesn't involve talking animals or is animated.
Opal and Winn-Dixie become best of friends and together they meet new friends as the film goes along.
She played a very good mysterious old woman who the children were afraid of.I have not seen many of Wayne Wang's films but I know some of pretty critically acclaimed like "The Joy Luck Club".
Like I said, I enjoyed the scenes with Opal and Winn-Dixie because I think they showed real emotion and were believable.
Maybe this was in the book, I don't know but I just feel I could have done without that character.So what can I say, I liked "Because of Winn-Dixie".
It's not going to win any awards any time soon or be hailed as great but it is a good little innocent movie.
The movie has such a great message to it, (and I think the message or theme comes across better in the movie than it does in the book), and in a time when it is scary to even let your child see prime time TV for fear of what they will see or hear, it was so refreshing to be able to take my five-year-old daughter to see this poignant movie that she thoroughly enjoyed also.
The acting was great...the newcomer, who plays Opal was fantastic, and I think Jeff Daniels is good in anything, but he I really enjoyed him in this movie..
Yes, its indeed a Beautiful, funny and touching movie.The Dog and the little girl performed so well.
I as well as my entire family absolutely loved this movie and quite frankly am surprised that Hollywood would even produce such a decent film.
Folks...your kids learn A lot from movies/television...when they're glued to good stories like this one, take it to heart.
Winn-Dixie was a sweet movie with a big heart, which is important with everything that's going on in the world.
Based on the book by Kate DiCamillo, "Because of Winn-Dixie" Comes to life in this Heartwarming Movie that will make you laugh, smile, and even cry......A girl named India Opal(AnnaSophia Robb) has to leave her home and friends moves to Naomi, Florida.
She didn't fit in until she went to the Winn-Dixie Supermarket to get her daddy the preacher(Jeff Daniels) some Macaroni and cheese she didn't expect to find a dog to call her own, to call her friend.
I like movies with children, I like movies with dogs, not quite a fan of dramas, but this film impressed me so much...really cried at the last scene with Winn Dixie.
As it stands it is quiet, true, and a worthwhile statement about how children view adults and their progress toward becoming one.Opal (AnnaSophia Robb) was deserted by her mother at age three and comes to live in a small Florida town with her brittle preacher father (Jeff Daniels).
Because of Winn Dixie is an exceptional movie for children of all ages.
In addition to this wonderful story is an excellent cast like Jeff Daniels, Cicely Tyson, and the debut of musician Dave Matthews, who does a great job.
The animals were very well trained.And it was VERY MUCH like the book which is unusual.Opal was very lovable as was Winn Dixie.The movie will make you laugh and cry..
While the whole Winn-Dixie "Saving a dog from the pound"-Story is certainly quite suited for kids, the family drama that remains the core thematic of the film is more likely to appeal to an older audience.
If you are looking for a great family movie, put Because of Winn Dixie at the top of your list!
I encourage everybody in the whole world to watch the movie or read the book!In the movie you begin to love the main character Winn-Dixie and I could make a 10 million dollar bet that this excellent story would be disliked by anyone.Kate Dicamillo really done a great job on writing this book.
Based on the best selling children's novel by Kate DiCamillo "Because of Winn-Dixie" is a moving, sickly sweet family movie that children will overall enjoy.
However, this is only from an adult perspective.Annasophia Robb is impressive as young Opal, Cicely Tyson gives a reasonably convincing performance as Gloria, while Jeff Daniels gives a brilliant emotional performance as her father, the Preacher, but for me, the real star was Winn-Dixie, as it was completely impossible for your heart not to go to that adorable dog..
And I really love her performance in this film, although some people said she can be better.Also, I am quite familiar with Jeff Daniel's performance, he is good.And one more thing I'd like to say here, the success of this film belongs not only to Annasophia (which I gave 8 of 10) but also the dog.
And this is knit-picking, and I know she's a little girl going thru an awkward pre-teen stage, but did anyone think Annasophia Robb's facial features and weird large eyes made her look like the kid in the "Aerials" video from 'System of a Down'?Read the book (preferred) or see the movie, either/or, but not both.
Together, the girl and the dog help their friends to find one another, and find the love and peace that comes from sharing their sadness and joy.Kids will love the movie because of the animal antics (especially the pet shop), and from seeing the world through a child's eyes.
the acting is excellent especially from the likes of annasophia robb , cecily tyson and jeff daniels.i thought it would be a really upsetting ending in which the dog runs off and doesn't come back but the sort of film like this that doesn't happen.
i know this film is all about the dog but really he's not the character who you focus on its much more on the preacher and insisa opal.the girl seems to keep the world around her going without her life seems to be just sad and quiet.7/10.
Nice movie about a girl and her dog..
For me, the most interesting thing about this movie is the arrival of a new young star, AnnaSophia Robb, who plays Opal, the 10-year old girl, new in town, without any real friends.
Near the end she says, "all the fun I've had this summer is because of Winn-Dixie", thus the title of the movie.Several other good actors contribute, such as Cicely Tyson as half-blind Gloria, who the local boys say is a witch.
80-year old Eva Marie Saint (of North By Northwest and On the Waterfront) is Miss Franny who tends the local library and befriends Opal.I enjoyed the movie, I found myself wanting more but for what it is, a story of a girl and a dog in a new community, it hits the mark nicely.
In this coming of age story, the young girl and her dog, Dixie discover exceptional wonders and imaginations and experiences.
My daughter who is 12 read the book before watching the movie and loved both.
I thought that this is a great story of a child learning how to cope with the loss of her Mom. Dogs can be wonderful for children and adults alike and this movie showed all of the benifits that a good pet has to offer to all that are involved in the animals life.Great movie..