My Heart!!!

Rating: 10/10 (3 June 2014)

OK so I have seen this particular film multiple of times and each time I fall in love with it. I have heard a lot people saying "what's the big deal? This is boring! A family travel all the way to this competition that they don't even win.." and hearing this breaks my heart because they have missed the entire point of the film... and if this is all that you get out of the movie then you have to get out of this obstinate state of mind!
This film portrays a completely dysfunctional family and does a hell damn well of a job. The characters are so beautifully real and legitimate. Each character illustrates such great depth and although all heavily brought to life with their own individual flaws, they're all utterly believable. The script is insanely well done and all the actors and actresses were perfect for their roles.
I especially identified with Dwayne's character (the older brother played by Paul Dano) in relation to the agonizing frustration of being a teenager in an environment where you cannot remotely identify with anyone under the same roof as you.
The soundtrack to the movie is amazing. There are no cheesy "unfitting" tracks at any time, everything just flows together naturally which I find to be essential with films.
Lastly, the message of the film. The whole family went through so many unbelievably terrible events. They persevered together despite their "screwed up" relationship as a family and they got there, they got there together. Despite the fact of Olive not being the number one winner they leave that place still screwed up as a family, but with a little more acceptance of one another, with an uplifting attitude of "Hey! it's alright and we tried. No you know what? it's great!". It's filled with moments that make you laugh, and moments that are incredibly heart warming that definitely have "tear jerking" potential. This film is so much more that just a crappy cheese filled comedy. By the end of the film I am over whelmed with a wave of emotion that can be summed up in a slightly high pitched sigh that is my heart releasing a sensation of "oh gosh that was amazing. I must now engulf myself in a thick blanket to sit in the dark and think for a while" - meant in a positive light. It shall always have a place in my heart and is one of my few highly recommended films.