Enjoyable and endearing, full of life's natural contradictions that strengthen a family bond

Rating: 8/10 (22 August 2006)

This is a gem, without a doubt. One would hardly think a story about a dysfunctional family on a road trip in a rather shabby VW bus can be 'heart-warmingly' touching, down to earth satisfying and hilariously endearing. LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE is perceptively scripted by Michael Arndt, full of everyday flawed characters. What an ensemble cast: gifted Greg Kinnear as Dad the winning failure, ever-capable Toni Collette as Mom the pillar collected, underrated Steve Carell as uncle Frank the improbable mentor, with veteran Alan Arkin as grandpa the unpredictable, talented Paul Dano as teen brother in angst, and the star focus of little Abigail Breslin as Olive - a ball of energy determined (destined) to enter the Little Miss Sunshine 'beauty pageant.'
Featured debut partnered direction from husband & wife team of Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE is a successful and worthwhile endeavor. Certainly helps to have strong producers that have faith in a rather non-Hollywood, unpopular and bold subject. A sleeper, all in all. Some of the language/ideas in passing may not be for everyone, but it's all uttered/delivered rather naturally.
The music soundtrack enhances most appropriately. The choices made by directors Dayton & Faris (who are well-versed in music video productions) made the film the more engaging, with score by Mychael Danna, 'backing' the music/songs by the band DeVotchka. The dynamics radiate and we, the audience, catch on to the evolving situations and take things as they come just like the Hoovers on screen. I pride myself for being able to guess at the moves/next steps they'd take: at the hospital with grandpa, how Olive interacts with brother Dwayne by the roadside, or on stage with Olive, so I applaud.
It was wonderful reading the production notes about how the film came to be - a dedicated force gathered: from writer, to producers to selecting director(s) to casting and production team of photography, set design, costume, editing, and music.
If you're willing to take a chance to go on this road trip with the Hoover Family ensemble of characters not unlike life's little encounters and happenstance, you will be satisfied and have an enjoyable time - hilarious and heartening at best.