Those fearful of Hollywood sinking its
destructive claws of revision and
elaboration into book-to-film adaptations
will be glad that no such monster got its
hands on director Wayne Wangs family
film. Based on Kate DiCamillos
best-selling childrens book of the same
name, India Opal Buloni warms our
hearts with her sweetness and charisma
as she befriends a blind alcoholic witch
(Cicely Tyson), a guitar-strumming pet
hypnotizer (Dave Matthews), a stubborn
preacher (Jeff Daniels) and two
bald-headed babies. However, the
endearing tomboy does all this with the
help of a shabby stray dog and a few
magical Littmus Lozenges. But this film
doesnt need any help charming viewers
since it does it all on its own.