in this brilliant dark comedy a young seven year old girl and her family travel in an RV to California for a state beauty pageant.

Rating: 10/10 (29 October 2006)

Little Miss Sunshine is the best movie of the year. It is a warm and unique comedy the defines "normal." The acting is superb, the jokes are dark yet hilarious, and the plot is fantastic. Abigail Benslin plays Olive, a dark haired seven year old who dreams of being a beauty pageant queen. Her father is an overachiever; her uncle a suicidal gay. Olive's brother is Dwayne, a fifteen year old who dreams of being a jet pilot. Lastly are her mother and her grandfather. Her grandfather is a lady's man drug addict who advises his grandson about girls and drugs.
The sickest and greatest part of the movie is the end. In the end, Olive is at the "Little Miss Sunshine" beauty pageant. Seven years old girls' hair is being styled, makeup being sprayed on, and glitzy gowns being laced up. It is a frightening image of young beauty, and Olive stands out like a daisy in a field of roses. When Olive thanks her grandfather for teaching her her dance moves the host asks "where is your grandfather now?" and she replies "in the trunk of our car." That line is one of the funniest and most memorable quotes from the movie.
Anyone of thirteen and above can see this movie. Sure, it is rated R, but teenagers can handle any mature conversations or swearing in the movie.