Fully Engaging, start to finish, a Lovely Short Story

Rating: 9/10 (10 August 2006)

I just saw Little Miss Sunshine at a premier showing. I had heard bits and pieces about the movie and saw that Steve Carell was in it, so we decided to wait in line to see it. And we were not in the least disappointed. This fantastic little movie is a complete short story, picking up at the addition of Steve Carell's character to the crazy family headed by his sister (played by Collette) and her husband (played perfectly by Kinnear as a frustrated self-help presenter). The family includes the quirky and somewhat overweight 8 year old, a by-choice speechless and frustrated 15 year old, and a drug sniffing angry grandpa (Arkin). Arkin steals every scene he's in. The movie plays out like a typical "odd-group-thrown-into-a-small-area-and-must-overcome-together" situation, with a dilapidated VW bus as the key obstacle. But it's the little moments of subtle humor that bring out the smiles in the audience at every step of the line. Carell has a 5 minute sarcasm bit, and you will never forget his style of running. The humor is never forced, the dialog seems very realistic, the sentimentality is never over the top nor yawn producing, and the finish was not only unexpected, but the most hilarious thing I've seen all year. Everything about this film seemed to fit together; from the music choice, to the pacing, to the subtle placement of scenery and odd cinematography shots; the acting; the dialog; to the storyline, with its set up, pitfalls, and timely finish. To conclude, I would say this film is perfect movie-going entertainment without trying to say too much and be anything more than it is. This movie fits no standard profile, probably won't be up for any Oscars, and won't make a star of anyone, and yet it will not disappoint any viewer from age 8 to 80.