Extremely funny oddball comedy with poignant & satiric elements

Rating: 10/10 (27 August 2006)

This is the winningest comedy so far this year, with clearly defined oddball characters, unexpected but witty plot turns and lots of laughs that turn an ordinary storyline into a superb film about a dysfunctional family going on a two-day road trip in a beat-up yellow VW van to enter their young daughter in a vapid "little miss sunshine" contest that goes hilariously awry in grand, satiric detail. Every actor is excellent, the writing is clever, economical and accurate for each of these characters, and the settings are perfect in every scene. My wife and I haven't laughed so long and often at a movie in years, and hope this becomes an Oscar contender--it deserves at least that much! Highly recommended--the ending reminded me of the equally satirical "Best of Show".