Little Miss Sunshine, from Fox Searchlight Pictures, is the must-see movie of the year. It has to be one of the funniest but touching movies I have ever seen. One of the funniest parts of the movie wasn’t even a character, but a sound. I won’t spill the beans here but suffice to say, this movie is going to win some awards.
The movie stars Greg Kinnear, Alan Arkin, Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Paul Dano and Abagail Breslin as Olive.
Little Miss Sunshine introduces us to the dysfunctional family, the Hoovers. It follows their quest to get Olive, their young daughter to Redondo Beach, California in time for the Little Miss Sunshine beauty pageant by driving hundreds of miles in a VW mini-bus. You may soon begin to realize that this “dysfunctional” family may more accurately portray a typical family than you might imagine.
The screenplay is excellent. Alan Arkin is brilliant as the Grandfather and gives a performance that is absolutely hilarious. Greg Kinnear is the Father and is equally stellar. Paul Dano is Dwayne, the rebellious son. Steve Carell (one of the funniest actors around) has a delightful role as the Uncle and his understated comedic performance won’t disappoint you. Toni Collette, is perfectly cast as the Mother and the adorable Abagail Breslin plays Olive, perhpas the most normal member of the family. Her innocence and sensitivity is wonderful to experience.
This is a move that I plan on seeing again as soon as I can fit it in. It has a great soundtrack, consistent momentum and the last 30 minutes will make you want to laugh and cry, probably simultaneously (that was my experience anyway).