Because Of Winn Dixie (2005)

Set in a small Florida town, a preacher (Jeff Daniels) and his young daughter (AnnaSophia Robb) are having a difficult time fitting in. When the girl finds a homeless dog and brings it home with her, their lives begin to change. Based on the novel by Kate DiCamillo and directed by Wayne Wang (THE JOY LUCK CLUB). Nothing special but it's a wholesome family movie with a bit of sweetness. The Picardy Shepherd (actually four of them) who plays the Winn Dixie of the title had to be imported from France since the breed is rare in the U.S. The film is predictable but at least it's not icky in the kind of usual sentiment found in these family dog movies and I suspect we have director Wang to thank for that. Adults watching won't feel bored and younger kids should be entertained. There's a batch of supporting characters with backgrounds that fill out the tale. With Eva Marie Saint, Cicely Tyson, Dave Matthews and Elle Fanning.