Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

"Little Miss Sunshine" is a luv-it or hate-it film. A charming road comedy that builds its premises out of the pain of its characters, and over the fact that they can eventually outlive this pain and eventually laugh at it, it also celebrates all that is quirky and looney about the place where it's made and set: America. Porn, drugs, striptease, a dead body being carried in a minibus, a gay character who tries to kill himself--all these do not make a family friendly movie or one which anyone under the age of twelve should watch. There are plenty of explicit sexual references, a grandpa who sniffs dope and advises one to bed as many women as possible. But if you can stomach such chaos, you will be treated to a well put together, excellently cast road comedy.The plot is quite simple. A family of eccentrics, recently joined by the mum's brother who tried to kill himself over an unrequited gay affair, decides to hit the road to L.A. for the sake of their seven-year-old daughter who qualifies for the Little Miss Sunshine contest. In the ensuing ride, mishaps happen, one member dies, and despite all their initial misgivings and unhappiness they bond. The script upends stereotypes (although it never really builds up the character to a depth dramas do), but manages to do so in an endearingly madcap manner, so the movie treads a very thin line without making it darker or more uncomfortable that it might be. The direction and screenplay ensure the film's flicker of pain and momentary darkness never overshadow the lively performances from all six ensemble actors, including the adorable daughter (Abigail Breslin), the taciturn 15-year-old son who worships Nietzsche and vows not to talk (Paul Dano), or the 70-year-old granddad who takes heroin and reads porn (Alan Arkin).With hindsight the movie might seem superficial, making light of its dark edginess, but thanks to an excellent cast never seem syrupy, soppy and heavy-handed, celebrating the madness of the dysfunctional in America. It's not really a film for everyone, but in this age of cliched scripts the movie is well worth a watch--if you can stomach its raucous explicitness.

Fox Searchlight's 2006 surprise indie hit 'Little Miss Sunshine' is a film that accomplished one thing more than anything else - it got audiences to feel better about their own families. Set in the American southwest, we follow the Hoover family as they race to Redondo Beach in their VW van to have 7-year-old Olive (Abigail Breslin) take part in the stereotypically scary "Little Miss Sunshine" beauty pageant. Cue the crazy.Between the heroin-addicted patriarch (Alan Arkin), the suicidal uncle/brother (a 'The Office'-era Steve Carrell), a purposely mute nihilistic teen (Paul Dano) and a hopeless, wannabe motivational speaker (Greg Kinnear), it's a lot for the arguably only sane person in the family - Sheryl Hoover (Toni Collette) - to handle. There are so many ridiculous antics that unfold during the 800-mile trek, from their beaten down VW suffering mechanical troubles to an awkward roadside diner breakfast that every family can relate to.What really makes 'Sunshine' work is the writing. Written by Michael Arndt, the quirkiness comes through in every line in the script, without feeling forced or gimmicky. There's also a lot of emphasis on character development - something that's crucial for a film that relies so heavily on an ensemble cast - and the dysfunction almost seems like an art form. It's no surprise the writing resulted in an Oscar for best original screenplay.It may not be the best comedy ever, but 'Little Miss Sunshine' is a fun, zany ride through the challenges of family life and a commentary on the fact that beauty really is skin-deep.

Sheryl Hoover's house is full. Her husband is trying to break out in a new career, her son from a previous marriage has elected not to speak, her brother became suicidal over a breakup, her father-in-law got kicked out of a nursing home and her daughter Olive has entered a beauty contest.When Olive becomes a contestant, more problems occur. They can't afford the flight and no way can her son Dwayne, brother Frank, or Grandpa be left at home. Problem solved, they all cram into a VW Bus and head to the beauty contest in California some 800 miles away.If you think your family is on the edge, check this one out, you'll feel much better. Not for young viewers, adult topics.

Before I watched the movie, I had hear a lot of good things about it so I was really looking forward to watching it. However, it was very difficult for me to watch it until the end. The story line was pretty easy to predict and tediously slow. There was nothing in particular in the movie that was outstanding or interesting. It wasn't particularly attractive visually, nor very humorous or touching.But still there were some unexpected parts that could be entertaining or touching after you think about it again. The characters were all very distinct and familiar in real life, and the few darkly comical scenes made me smirk. Also, the acting was great, and I was especially impressed by Paul Dano's acting. Overall, it wasn't a bad movie, but I wouldn't necessarily watch it twice.