There haven't been too many girl-and-dog movies since Elizabeth Taylor besought Lassie to come home.

And there may not be many more after this maudlin item, soaked molasses-deep in Southern charm, about preacher's daughter Opal (budding Hollywood babe AnnaSophia Robb) and the loveable mutt she discovers while he's wrecking the local supermarket, Winn-Dixie.

Blind 'witch' Gloria (Tyson), grumpy landlord Alfred (B J Hopper), reclusive librarian Miss Franny (Eva Marie Saint), ex-jailbird Otis (Matthews) and even Daddy (Daniels) and the awful Dewberry boys - all are converted to Opal's belief in sharing joy as well as sadness.

There hasn't been a goodier two-shoes since Shirley Temple took Sunnybrook Farm. Despite idiotic dialogue and lots of OTT acting, chances are that dog-loving small girls will like it.