Funnier than you could have imagined

Rating: 10/10 (9 September 2006)

This movie was so funny is so many different ways. If you've read any reviews, you know the movie is going to be funny and, at times, sad. But it's actually funnier than you would have imagined and the sad parts, done well, are funny. Most of us can relate to at least one of these characters. Maybe all? And the character of "Olive" is so well done by this young girl. Toni Collett and Greg Kinnear are perfect as mom and dad and Alan Arkin is another gem, especially his moment with Kinnear in the van where he shows tenderness for his son's confusion. And Frank, Toni's brother, is just perfect for the role. Carnell is such a good actor and this shows it once more. The ending is absolutely worth the wait; the audience was laughing and I was laughing and my friend was laughing and it's hard to stop laughing. It also pokes great fun at these ridiculous beauty pageants for young girls. It makes one feel sick to see these little girls losing their childhoods. Great satire.