Grown men cry like babies at the ending of “My Dog Skip,” proving the love of a childhood pet makes for both great memories and great movies.
This three-alarm-hanky boyhood movie from 2000 touches many of the familiar bases of eccentric Southern growing-up stories: eggheads, bullies, baseball, moonshiners, war veterans, dreamy girlfriends and cute puppies. Yet it adds just enough unexpected material to elevate “My Dog Skip” into a classic, as was the memoir it is based on, by Pulitzer-winning writer Willie Morris.
Young Willie is played by Frankie Muniz as a scrawny, bookish kid picked on by popular classmates. Mom (Diane Lane) finally convinces stoic dad (Kevin Bacon) that a pet would help, and introducing Skip into Willie’s life changes everything for the better.
Adding depth to the story is next-door neighbor Dink Jenkins (Luke Wilson), a star athlete who goes off to fight in World War II. Willie idolizes him, but Dink comes back labeled as a coward.
Dink finally explains to Willie, “It ain’t the dyin’ that’s scary. It’s the killin’.” Willie’s dad was a war hero in the Spanish Civil War, and he tries to tell Dink why Willie still looks up to him.
“You’re his hero because you’re his friend,” the dad says, and that’s wise advice for all of us listening.
Besides the talented human cast, you and your kids may recognize Skip, as well. The older version of the dog is played by Moose and his son, Enzo, Jack Russell terriers who also starred in the sitcom “Frasier.”
Each Tuesday, Michael Booth uncovers a movie gem for rewarding family entertainment. Reach him at mbooth@denverpost.com; find the Screen Team blog at denverpostbloghouse.com.
“My Dog Skip”
Rated|PG for some mild language and mature subject matter
Most appealing| Children 5 or older; anyone who ever loved a pet
