Decent family films seem to be scarce. Part of the problem is finding balance. It seems that many family films are either too hokey for the adults or too complex for the kids. The surprisingly sweet My Dog Skip comes awfully close to bridging the gap.

This memoir takes place circa World War II as a young boy (played by Malcolm in the Middle's Frankie Muniz) learns about life with the help of his Jack Russell terrier Skip.

This film gets plenty of help from Muniz who gives a sweet, natural performance. Kevin Bacon also excels as Muniz's stern but loving father. Rounding out the terrific ensemble are Diane Lane, Luke Wilson, and narrator Harry Connick Jr.

My Dog Skip could have easily sunk to the sappy depths of Spitfire Grill and Simon Birch, but thankfully, it stays afloat in a surprisingly restrained fashion (with exception of a fairly cheesy football sequence).

Although Skip is an exceptionally intelligent, director Jay Russell never lets the film become a series of pretentious dog tricks. Instead, he tells the story of friendship and the crossover to manhood, that, in a way, has a faint resemblance to Steven Spielberg's E.T.

My Dog Skip is that rare family film that does take chances and offers many unexpected moments. It's also a journey that will not only teach valuable lessons to the kids, but rekindle memories of our youth. Muniz plays a young boy that I think many of us can relate to. My Dog Skip captures glorious nostalgia in first rate fashion.