stunning film

Rating: 10/10 (6 October 2006)

Films of dysfunctional families come at a constant rate. Usually in the rom-com section and mostly used for cheap laughs and a reminder that your family can't be this bad. Though there is this ring of falseness to the proceedings. Little Miss Sunshine looks into the family dysfunction, crossed with a road trip and that stab of satire, to bring an honest look at family dynamics.
When Frank, a gay scholar and ex number one expert on Marcel Proust, survives a failed suicide attempt, he is taken in by his sister Sheryl. Sheryl has a smoking problem and tries to keep the family together. Sheryl's husband Richard is a failed motivational speaker; with one monochromatic look at society. Their son Dwayne idolizes Nietzsche, and vowed an oath of silence till he is reaches his goal of being an air force pilot. Also shacked up is Richards dad Edwin; a fouled mouth man who speaks his mind, without hesitation.
When daughter Olive wins a spot in the Little Miss Sunshine pageant, Olive is screamingly beside herself, too the rest a nightmare. All agreeing to driving from Alberquerque to LA, crammed into a falling apart, bright yellow VW, people's limits hit boiling point. Richard's nine step program is not taking off with a book deal hanging in the balance, Dwayne laments his family, Sheryl tries to keep everyone together and looking after Frank, to stop him relapsing. With dysfunction all around her, Olive is the most sane of the bunch.
Little Miss Sunshine is such an honest look at family dynamics, the dysfunction and border line meltdown many families run. First time directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, with first time writer Michael Arndt, have created a stunning, debut feature film. Michael Arndt has created characters that are honest, holding a reality to them. Each character detailed with unique idiosyncrasies, and grow over this trip. The humor perfectly blends a mix of situation and character derived comedy, while mixing genuine pathos. Adding to the humour, Dayton and Valerie make some heart wrenching moments, adding some harsh juxtapositions with Arndt's script, making you laughing in some of the most inapt times.
While not the biggest part of the film, the young beauty pageant is great satire. Much like mock-doc Drop Dead Gorgeous, you are taken to the back stage scene of this young pageant, and the sheer crassness they are. The young girls are from space than earth, looking more like aliens; Olive the only human girl, with the imperfections, glasses and pot belly. The pageant holds the crescendo of the film, with hysterical results; it's side splitting.
The cast is the real driving force of Little Miss Sunshine. Greg Kinnear begins as one of the most irritating characters, though as Richard grows and realises he's the loser he constantly telling others they are, you really warm to him. Toni Collette is strong and flawless as Sheryl. Steve Carell steps out of the comedy and really shows his versatility, with a great dramatic role. Alan Arkin spits out all the great lines with such mirth. Paul Dano does very well showing much range while not speaking most of the film. Abigail Breslin is beautiful as Olive, with such innocence and the most together while everyone around her is falling apart.
Little Miss Sunshine a real gem. Absolutely exhausted from laughing and running the ride of emotions.