The road to Redondo Beach

Rating: 10/10 (17 August 2006)

I don't know why, but the tragic image of JonBenet Ramsey came to mind as I watched this acerbic commentary in the way children are exposed to an early age to the fantasy and phony world of beauty pageants. Imagine our shock when that same night we heard about the capture of the murderer of the little girl, ten years after she suffered a death she didn't deserve.
But, we are getting side tracked here. Although the competition for Miss Little Sunshine is at the center of this film, the movie is a sad commentary on the American family. To say that this family is dysfunctional, is to put it mildly. After all, both parents work for a living. That leaves little Olive and Dwayne without real supervision at home. The grandfather, although well meaning, has a bigger problem of his own, he is a drug user! Right by watching at the earthy Olive, one realizes, she is no beauty pageant competitor. By a fluke, she gets a slot in the competition because another girl has dropped out. Since we never see her doing, or practicing, her routine, we have no inkling as what it will be like when she takes to the stage.
To make matters worse, uncle Frank, has attempted to commit suicide as the story begins. Frank who is gay has been abandoned by the hunk he was in love with, only to see him go to another, more famous, and wealthier guy. He is made to share Dwayne's room, something that doesn't go too well with the teen ager nephew. Frank is rescued by the kind Sheryl, a working mother who barely has time to cook the family dinner and has to resort to bringing fast food chicken almost every night, something that irritates Grandpa, and the rest of the family.
Sheryl and her husband Richard, are having a crisis in their marriage. Richard, a motivational speaker with little talent, has no control on what's going on in his life and his family. When Richard learns about Olive's invitation to participate in the pageant, he happily agrees to take the road trip from Albuquerque to Redondo Beach, a trip that will, in many ways help him and the family bond in ways they never thought possible.
This film boasts two directors. Sometimes, when this happens, the end result, in most cases, turns out to be bad, which is not the case with this endearing independent movie. Jonathan Dayton and his wife, Valerie Faris, have their hearts in the right places, and it shows. They directed with great style helped by the wonderful screen play of Michael Ardnt. It's no wonder the film was loved in Sundance last winter.
The directors got an ensemble acting from their wonderful cast. Gregg Kinnear has one of his best roles in quite some time; he shows he was the man for this part. Toni Collette, who plays the grounded Sheryl, once again gives an effortless performance as she transforms herself into this woman. Not having been a fan of Steve Carell, we must recognize he makes a valuable contribution to the success of the picture. Veteran Alan Arkin doesn't have much to do. Abigail Breslin's Olive is one of the best things in the film. She is not bratty or obnoxious. She is a little girl who, like many of her peers, is manipulated by the media business into becoming adults when she should be playing and having a great time with other little girls, instead of being what she is not. Finally, Paul Dano, who doesn't speak for most of the length of the movie is good as Dwayne.
The pageant sequence showed to what extend little girls are transformed into travesties of older young women with their excessive make-up and big hairdos. It is kind of sickening seeing these girls try to imitate adults in ways that rob from their childhood. It is indeed, a sad commentary on parents who encourage their children to participate in these competitions.