My Dog Skip” is simply fetching. A sweet story from an earlier, more simple time, this is a kid-and-its-animal story that’s based on the true-life tale of the author, Willie Morris.

The setting is 1942. Frankie Muniz (from television’s “Malcolm in the Middle”) is little Willie, a non-athlete who’d rather read than swat baseball. Willie, the target of bullies, is lonely, with no friends he can invite to his birthday party. But that’s when he gets his first friend: A Jack Russell terrier he names Skipper. And Skip brings him more than a loyal dog’s friendship, because Skip makes friends wherever he goes.

Kevin Bacon is great as Willie’s brooding, worried father, and Diane Lane (“A Walk on the Moon”) is believable as the mother who insists that Willie is old enough to care for a dog. Muniz is an enjoyable actor, and he lends authenticity to his character, especially when the embarrassed boy turns against his own dog in a public outburst.

And Skip (Moose, from television’s “Frasier”) is terrific. The adorable little scene-stealer is always in the center of the action, whether he and Willie are sleeping in a cemetery on a dare or horsing around with a football. 

There are darker themes that run through the movie, too. Luke Wilson plays Dink, the hometown hero athlete who becomes an outcast once he’s back from the war and drinking away his memories of battles. And segregation touched upon, too.
Sometimes the “isn’t this cute?” scenes subtract from those with substance. But that’s only because the mostly well-written, leisurely paced movie sets out to wring your heart, and it does -- anyone who owns, or has owned, a beloved dog is well-advised to take a hankie. This truly is a family film, one of the first of the year. Don’t skip this one.

Running time: 95 minutes.
Stars: Kevin Bacon, Diane Lane, Frankie Muniz, Luke Wilson and Daylan Honeycutt.
Director: Jay Russell.
Writers: Gail Gilchriest, screenplay, based on the book by Willie Morris.
Rated: PG for brief violence..