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Life & Arts

Endearing 'Dixie' will win all audiences

By Kim Thai
The Daily Cougar

When walking into a "family" film, there's an expectation of corniness, but that's where Because of Winn-Dixie will surprise its audience with its intelligence, humor and touching soft side. 

The movie is narrated and seen through the eyes of India Opal Buloni (Annasophia Robb) -- most call her "Opal" for short, but the mean kids refer to her as "Buloni breath" or "fresh meat." Robb's adorable performance lights up the entire screen. Her father, a traveling preacher (Jeff Daniels) who struggles with his own demons, attempts to guide her through life. Ironically, she is the one who teaches him the value of forgiveness and how to find love again. When Opal first moves to the town, she leaves all her old friends behind. One day a lost Naomi resident, a dog, befriends her and she names him Winn-Dixie after the grocery store where they met. 

Based on the children's classic by Kate Dicamillo, the plot is centered around the many adventures of Opal and Winn-Dixie as they get into fun and trouble. Along the way the meet a variety of friends that each have a story to tell, an ear to listen, including Miss Franny Block (Eva Marie Saint) who educates Opal with her library, "Otis" (Dave Matthews) the reserved and kind, musically inclined pet shop owner with demons in his closet, and "Gloria Dump" (Cicely Tyson) the woman with the "sin bottles" who eventually adopts the role of Opal's parent as she teaches life's harsh lessons. Though the movie is not plot-driven, the characters are developed enough to sustain the movie. The supporting cast has as much of an impact on the film as do Robb and Daniels because of the diversity they bring. 

Although the climax is when Winn-Dixie gets lost, the more developed conflict between Opal, her father and their past is the emotional thunder on the screen. Daniels and Robb do a great job throughout the movie when addressing these conflicts. All ends well, as most family flicks do, but this one doesn't conclude with nonsensical smiles and an obvious moral. Winn Dixie leaves the audience with remarkably subtle hints of acceptance, forgiveness and love. 

Because of Winn-Dixie

Rated: PG for thematic elements and brief mild language

Starring: Annasophia Robb, Jeff Daniels

20th Century Fox Studios

Verdict: This one's not just for the kids.
 

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