I have always been a dog lover, and have gravitated toward movies that have anything to do with dogs, the movie “My Dog Skip”: was no exception.
The plot of the movie is based on the real life of Willie Morris. Willie, who is outcast from the other children his age, has no friends. For his ninth birthday his mother decides to get him the one thing he needs the most: a friend.
During the movie Willie and his dog Skip grow closer together, and Willie starts to make friends with other children around him. To some extent a coming of age film, My Dog Skip is a heartwarming story about a boy finding himself and growing up.
One HUGE warning to parents on this movie is that Skip does die at the end. While his death is from old age rather than a sudden tragedy it doesn’t make it any easier for Willie, or for movie viewers.
My Dog Skip is set during World War II, so before you sit down to watch it you should prepare yourself for a blast back in time, be prepared for a movie with segregation and race issues. The movie is also chock full of bullies, there are a few references to alcohol with a moon shiner making a brief appearance in the film. People in the film are being set off to and returning from war.
This is definitely a movie you will want to preview before showing to your younger child. Although the movie can be quite heartwarming and touching for the wrong child it could be rather traumatic and disturbing.
My Dog Skip is rated PG and runs an hour and thirty five minutes. Famous faces starring in the movie include Kevin Bacon, Diane Lane and Luke Wilson. My Dog Skip can be purchased where DVDs are sold or online at Amazon.com