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Because of Winn-Dixie (2005)

tomatometer

53

Average Rating: 5.8/10
Reviews Counted: 118
Fresh: 63 | Rotten: 55

An old-fashioned, if bland, adaptation of Kate DiCamillo's novel.

55

Average Rating: 5.8/10
Critic Reviews: 31
Fresh: 17 | Rotten: 14

An old-fashioned, if bland, adaptation of Kate DiCamillo's novel.

audience

69

liked it
Average Rating: 3.3/5
User Ratings: 40,149

My Rating

Movie Info

It's not finishing school or a traditional upbringing that causes ten-year-old Opal to learn about the world outside of her own backyard, but rather a particularly awkward-looking mutt named Winn-Dixie. Based on a novel by Kate DiCamillo, Winn-Dixie and Opal not only become privy to the eventful, if eccentric, lives of their neighbors (including a librarian who fought off a bear with nothing but a novel, a blind woman who claims to "see" with her heart, and a sensitive ex-con turned pet store

PG, 1 hr. 45 min.

Drama, Kids & Family, Comedy

John Singleton

Aug 9, 2005

$32.6M

20th Century Fox

Cast

All Critics (127) | Top Critics (31) | Fresh (67) | Rotten (55) | DVD (21)

If they let the dog go I think we'd have a better movie.

February 22, 2005 Full Review Source: Ebert & Roeper | Comment (1)
Ebert & Roeper
Top Critic IconTop Critic

An unhomogenized combination of formulaic family entertainment and cornpone Southern fable.

February 19, 2005 Full Review Source: Globe and Mail | Comment
Globe and Mail
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Sincere rather than cynical.

February 18, 2005 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | Comment
Chicago Reader
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Fans of DiCamillo's book should be pleased with how Wang has faithfully preserved the novel's clear-eyed depiction of both pain and joy.

February 18, 2005 Full Review Source: Washington Post | Comment
Washington Post
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A whimsical family film about longing and belonging told with gentle humanity.

February 18, 2005 Full Review Source: USA Today | Comment
USA Today
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This is a so-so story that's told incorrectly.

February 18, 2005 Full Review Source: Toronto Star | Comment
Toronto Star
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A girl and a dog educate a small southern town.

September 30, 2010 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media | Comment
Common Sense Media

A sweet film, laced with magic realism, and it tackles some rather dark themes in a way that is perfectly appropriate for young children.

September 8, 2006 Comment

A charming Southern story that brings a popular children's book to the big screen...

October 6, 2005 Full Review Source: Wordmag.com | Comment
Wordmag.com

Just the latest quasi-magic-realist, two-birds-with-one-stone shrine to non-traditional families and the power of myth

August 22, 2005 Full Review Source: Film Freak Central | Comment
Film Freak Central

Dave Matthews is surprisingly good, and veterans Eva Marie Saint and Cicely Tyson turn in performances that make you want to forgive any flaws the film has.

August 17, 2005 Comment
Reel.com

...the narrative flow may not be smooth, just a series of disjointed adventures with various people, but they're appealing little adventures.

July 29, 2005 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis | Comment
Movie Metropolis
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Because of Winn-Dixie

I read the book and the film is as good as the good. The film really follows the book's plot.Also the film has some really good acting in it.this is one of the best dog films ever made.

September 2, 2010
erika250
erika bruhns

Super Reviewer

Rather surprising, didn't think I'd like it much, but had to watch it since it has 'Winn-Dixie' in the title, and that's my favorite grocery store.

September 14, 2009
stormyweather980

Super Reviewer

    1. Opal: You couldn't give up.
    2. Preacher: Opal.
    3. Opal: You give up on everything .
    4. Preacher: That's not true.
    5. Opal: It is true, all you do is give up. You just slip your head back into your stupid turtle shell and give up. You won't talk, you won't go to parties, and I bet you didn't even go out looking for my mama when she left. I bet you just let her run off too.
    6. Preacher: I couldn't stop her, I tried, no, I tried. what you didn't think I wanted her to stay too? She was everything to me.
    7. Opal: You didn't try she wasn't everything to you.
    8. Preacher: Yes she was, Opal, she was everything, everything. I.. I failed her Opal, I tried, and I tried.
    9. Opal: You didn't try! I know you didn't.
    10. Preacher: I tried, I tried and I tried and I tried with everything I had. It's my fault Opal it's all my fault. I'm sorry.
    11. Opal: Daddy?
    12. Preacher: And don't you believe losing Winn-Dixie isn't going to upset me more than it does you, I love that dog, I love him too.
    13. Opal: I love you daddy.
    14. Preacher: I love you too.
    – Submitted by Sophia R (7 months ago)

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