Little Miss Sunshine, a Tribute to Indie Movies Everywhere...

Rating: 10/10 (25 July 2008)

Little Miss Sunshine had it all: the great script, the great acting, and the heartwarming feeling of a big budget film. But it wasn't big budget, in fact aside from names like Steve Carrel and Greg Kinnear the movie didn't contain big names at all. Little Miss Sunshine hijacked our hearts and took us on one hell of a bumpy ride for an hour and a half. We hit all the highs, and all the lows with the Hoover family- and I don't know about you, but I loved every second of it. It was a journey wrapped in humor, but it was so much more than just a funny movie. Once we broke the comedic barrier we saw a struggling father who was doing his best to support a family. We saw a deeply depressed genius who had nothing left to live for, but finds belonging in his sister's family. A drug addicted grandfather who really does care about his family, but is also stubborn as a mule. A boy who only wants to fly planes for the military and is determined to the point of silence to complete his task. Finally a little girl lost in the wasteland of American beauty pageants, trying desperately to be something that she's not. Little Miss Sunshine is listed as a comedy/drama, but the thin layer of comedy quickly dissolves and we see a much deeper, truer story that speaks to the viewer. Yet it's still simple in its delivery. It doesn't force its message down your throat, it is subtle, and you're allowed, as a viewer, to decide whether to laugh or to cry. Personally I know I did both. Little Miss Sunshine is a movie that has stuck with me, quickly becoming one of my favorites. If you haven't seen this one yet, I suggest it very much. Little Miss Sunshine is a beautiful film that will leave you with a feeling of hope, or sadness, depending on how you watch it.