My Dog Skip Review
by Jamey Hughton (bhughton AT sk DOT sympatico DOT ca)March 23rd, 2000
MY DOG SKIP
***1/2 (out of four stars)
A review by Jamey Hughton
Starring-Frankie Muniz, Kevin Bacon, Diane Lane,
Luke Wilson and Harry Connick Jr. (narration)
Director-Jay Russell
Canadian Rating-G
Released by Warner Brothers - 03/00
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There is a fine detectable line separating a children’s movie from a family movie. In a film aimed squarely at the younger crowd, there are usually goofy physical antics, wisecracking sidekicks and strained moralizing extracted from obvious universal issues. Sometimes this formula supplies harmless entertainment, but the family movie experience is always more gratifying when the filmmakers have envisioned no particular target audience or age group. “My Dog Skip”, a gentle and cuddly boy-and-his-dog story, is a heartwarming tale of love and sacrifice that will appeal to audiences young and old. For flustered adults seeking redemption from another 90-minute live-action opus with cartoonish villains and immature gags, “My Dog Skip” is the perfect antidote.
One of the trailers at the movie advertised - God help us - “Pokemon: The Movie 2000”. The original “Pokemon” grossed roughly $80 million at the North American box office, and for what? Don’t sink your money into that inane animated cult. While viewing the trailer for the sequel, the ‘strict kid movie’ siren went off in my head. I could already picture the parents being dragged unwillingly to the cineplex to satisfy their 7-year old Pikachu fan. “My Dog Skip” is not this type of movie, and in that sense, it is somewhat of a wonderful rarity: a film that is special and rewarding for movie-goers of all ages.
I’m not a particularly avid fan of the TV hit “Malcolm in the Middle”. I have caught the show on a few occasions, but I haven’t allowed it enough air-time to grow on me. The reason I’m babbling about “Malcolm” is because that primetime success serves as a showcase for the young, talented protagonist of “My Dog Skip”: Frankie Muniz. Muniz, a charming, innocent stringbean of a boy, seems to be making his bid for childhood stardom by displaying his surprising range. Here, Muniz plays mischievous 11-year old Willie Morris, a lonely boy living in Mississippi via 1942. Unable to make appropriate friends with kids his age, Willie looks up to his neighbor and personal idle Dink Jenkins (Luke Wilson), a star baseball player who promises to teach Willie the secret to a great curve ball. When Dink is called away on overseas war duty, Willie’s mother (Diane Lane) opts for a four-legged adoption into the family - that of a terrier named Skipper. Despite the initial objection of Willie’s strict but caring father (Kevin Bacon), a war veteran himself, Skip is granted shelter under the Morris’ roof and becomes quite attached to young Willie.
“My Dog Skip” is a sweet, touching adaptation of a novel by Willie Morris himself, who shared with the world his tender childhood experiences... including how Skip helped him to overcome his fears and evolve emotionally into a young man. Director Jay Russell has crafted a magical film that embodies the essence of childhood and captures the special nature of raising a pet that you hold dear. Sure, the narration (by Harry Connick Jr.) is occasionally plodding and unnecessary, not to mention laced with distracting corniness. And the script has a tendency to delve too deeply into its subjects to a point where the message becomes preachy and sentimental. These are still minor drawbacks in a superb family film... one that seems to be honey-coated with warmth and inviting innocence.
I was surprised at how effective “My Dog Skip” was. It tugs at your heartstrings gently, paying close attention not to venture into blatant dramatic territory that insults the viewer’s intelligence. Over time, the soft, heartwarming approach grows powerful - resembling somewhat of a strategically played game of emotional chess. I don’t give in to dramatics very often, but I admit I was getting a trifle misty-eyed during “My Dog Skip”. The wonderfully honest performances only help to enforce the subtle power the film contains. Bacon and Lane are both terrific. Luke Wilson was a pleasant surprise, for in a rare dramatic performance, he excels at everything that he usually accomplishes in a comedy. There is a lot of honest discovery channeled through the character of Dink Jenkins, who, in cinematic form, is a well-realized addition to Morris’ childhood adventures.
Frankie Muniz is the heart of “My Dog Skip”, offering a thoroughly convincing portrait of a lonely small-town boy with eyes aglow with alarm and innocence. I’m looking forward to seeing him in future projects. Concentrating on the present, Jay Russell’s “My Dog Skip” submits an early bid for family film of the year. Sure, it will likely be toppled by a show-stopping Disney picture, but I’ll hold a place in my heart for this little wonder. “My Dog Skip” is something to wag your tail about.
© 2000, Jamey Hughton
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