Cute Movie

Rating: 9/10 (27 August 2006)

This is a charming, if quirky, film. The film chronicles the experiences of an unusual group of 6 family members, ranging from age 7 to maybe 87, who are traveling from Albuquerque to California in an aging Volkswagen bus to a Little Miss Sunshine beauty pageant. The travelers range from the little contestant herself to a profane grandpa, who also snorts heroin. Meanwhile, a middle-aged married couple (and the parents of the little contestant) are in the front seats handling the driving chores, including Greg Kinnear, who makes a very good performance as one of those Zig Ziglar style of professional motivators. The other two main characters include the brother of the wife, who also happens to be gay and recovering from an attempt at suicide. And, finally, there is the 15 year old son of the married couple, who is trying to be disciplined so he can be accepted at the Air Force Academy. The film is full of charming incidents that show off the humanity of all the characters, as they are constrained to bear each other's company in a spirit of family solidarity and persistence and determination. Travel can be educational and even broadening in the sense that family members have to be in close quarters with each other for a change and solve problems together, and certainly not merely to enjoy the trip.