Cute but kind of boring if you watch it too many times
Because of Winn-Dixie
-
Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
-
Common Sense says
A girl and a dog educate a small southern town.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 8 and Up
The good stuff
What to watch out for
-
Violence & scariness:
-
Sexy stuff:
-
Language:
-
Consumerism:
-
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Because of Winn-Dixie was written by Nell Minow
Parents need to know that this heartwarming movie has brief mild swearing, some rude schoolyard insults, and brief poop humor. Characters refer to alcoholism, parental desertion, time spent in jail, and the (offscreen) death of a character's sibling.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about why Winn-Dixie was so important to Opal. They could also discuss the importance of the way Opal listens to the stories Miss Franny and Gloria tell her. If you had to choose ten things to describe each member of the family, what would they be? What do you think of Gloria's way of recognizing her mistakes? Why did Opal worry that it was her fault that her mother left? Why was it important that the candy was sweet and sad? Do the people in your community know each other's sorrows? How do you learn what your one important thing is?
Have you seen it? Review It!
More on Because of Winn-Dixie
What’s the Story?
Opal (Annasophia Robb) and her worried, distracted preacher father (Jeff Daniels) have just moved to tiny Naomi, Florida. At the grocery store, Opal meets a troublemaking stray dog causing chaos, claims him as hers, and names him Winn-Dixie after the store. Her dad and the landlord say "No!" But Winn-Dixie wants to stay with Opal and help her make some new friends. Soon, Opal has a job working the pet store and befriends the town librarian (Eva Marie Saint), a reclusive woman (Cecily Tyson), and some local kids. As Opal becomes more confident, she finds the courage to ask the Preacher about her mother. Because of Winn-Dixie, she has developed the maturity to begin to understand the answers. And because of Winn-Dixie, the small town of Naomi becomes once again a place where people know each other's sorrows and reach out to each other.
Is It Any Good?
While appealing, this story is also heavy-handed and full of clichés, and characters with names like "Sweetie Pie" and "Dunlap Dewberry." Annasophia Robb turns in an uncertain performance as Opal, but strong appearances by top talent in the adult roles and graceful evocation of a gently rural community by director Wayne Wang keep it for the most part more sweet than sugary.
The best moments are not the revelations or the coming-of-age turning points or the dog-causes-trouble slapstick but the small, quiet scenes of people connecting to each other. The film is gently touching when Opal tells the librarian and the recluse that she wants to hear their stories and then listens attentively and when Otis plays his guitar for the animals. Those are the moments that truly convey the magic of Winn-Dixie.
Movie Details
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox, Director: Wayne Wang
Run time: 85 minutes
Theatrical release: 2/18/2005, DVD release: 8/9/2005
MPAA Rating: PG for thematic elements and brief mild language
Run time: 85 minutes
Theatrical release: 2/18/2005, DVD release: 8/9/2005
MPAA Rating: PG for thematic elements and brief mild language
Our Members Say
See all 41 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
-
I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
- My highlights are:
good for all kids
-
I rate this title iffy for age 7 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
great movie
A great mvovie. The movie is about a young girls mother who leaves her and her father and then the little finds a dog and names it winn dixie. I think the story was grand and the content was age a[ropreat for a PG rateing. There is some swearing and two boys constintly insult a girl. For vilonce is that there is little peril and the story talks about deaths a people who were loved.
-
I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
As a teacher, I feel this book and movie have lots of important issues. In my classroom, year after year, it brings rich discussions on things like alcoholism, single aprent familes, loss and longing. My students LOVE this book and movie!
-
I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
great book butchered in terrible movie!
I read this book thinking it was wonderful, and, expecting it to be as powerful and wallop-packing, set out to see the movie. Boy, was I wrong! The movie was TERRIBLE. The storyline was butchered into a watered down canned thing, therefore seeming in my mind like one of those "Christian movies", designed only to teach kids a lesson,so the story is barely there. Not to mention the acting was atrocious. I don't reccomend this movie to ANYONE!
-
I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
-
I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
Not as Good as the Book.
-
I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Good
good
-
I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
-
I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
-
I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
i laughed
This movie was cute opel is a good actress
-
I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
-
I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
closer to G than PG
My 6 year old loved this, and my 11 year old liked it (and probably would have admitted to more if he weren't concerned about appearing un-hip). I wept copiously. I thought the girl playing Opal was terrific. Lots of good message, and we had a great ride-home conversation.
-
I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
I laughed, I had some tears...
We (my 3 kids and my self) loved this movie. We all had tears through the movie and also had some good laughs.
-
I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
It's About Time !!
A movie that doesn't leave you brain dead and sorry you had to sit through it for your kids!? This is a fun, touching movie which handles well many worthwhile life lessons about love, loss, joy and sorrow. Bring tissue if you are a lush like me, otherwise, enjoy this feel good movie!
-
I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
made you think
made you think of how one judges people on a daily basics and makes you look in ward on yourself and also at to make the most of your surrounding. Its just a very enjoyable film, hats off Thank You
-
I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
-
I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Must read book and must see movie for 8 and up
Because of Winn Dixie was a wonderful book and a terrific movie. We saw it together and have not stopped talking about it. I think the role of alcohol in the movie is a great topic for discussion with young and old alike. I also liked that they did not change the ending of the book for the film.
-
I rate this title off for age 0 and give it
I wanted to leave
About the stupidst movie i have EVER seen and i about threw up it was so stupid i do not want any of you to waste you money on this movie
-
I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
-
I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
I was touched on several levels - I highly recommend it.
I saw this movie on a plane; probably would've caught it at some point on cable, but not definite. I found myself relating to the young girl, and moved by the same emotions she felt. I heard the line, "the best laughter is through your tears", and that applies here. A good message, yet realistic. Just enough comic relief and realism. Not sure if kids younger than 10 would be comfortable with the emotional themes.
Give Recommendations, Get Them, Too!
Become a member and get recommendations from other parents based on your child's age.Tell us your child's age:
Already a member? Log inOur Members Rate It
Have you seen it?
For Your Family
Get age-based recommendations for your kids:
Customize based on your child's age
