"Comedy" is almost misleading

Rating: 7/10 (26 December 2006)

"Little Miss Sunshine" is thoroughly enjoyable. Of the greatest importance: this movie is not a "family comedy," but the -other- kind of "comedy." If you've seen Duncan Tucker's "Transamerica," for example, you will be familiar with the feel of "Little Miss Sunshine." It's more interested in making you cry than laugh. When humor emerges, it is dark and tinged with other emotions. And like "Transamerica," "Little Miss Sunshine" is both involving and satirical as a portrayal of how modern Americans relate to one another.
The screen writing is mostly good. From the very first scenes, I was drawn in by the quirky yet identifiable characters. Even more importantly, the main cast tackled these roles with verve and honesty. Olive (played by the remarkable Abigail Breslin) is a believable child with actual feelings, quite rare in comedies (and movies in general, really). And it turns out Steve Carell -can- take on a role demanding subtlety.
"Little Miss Sunshine" works best when it's not taking itself too seriously, keeping me engaged with the subtleties of the characters, their relationships, and the pacing of the story. The film has its misses where it overreaches. There are a couple serious scenes that are too slow -- slow enough that I was allowed to become aware of how thin and fairly unimaginative the plot really is. After all, the storyline is based around a road trip that brings together its participants; that's not exactly re-inventing the wheel. On the other hand, I can't tell you how refreshing it is to finally see a road trip comedy that -doesn't- retread all the tired conventions of the movie style. Yes, there is car trouble, but it's not employed as an overwrought plot device, and the family doesn't end up walking in the rain and falling in mud. Yes, they argue en route, but cutesy "Mom, he's touching me!" moments are mercifully absent. By balancing lightness and honesty throughout, "Little Miss Sunshine" ends up more bearable than 75% of the "comedies" that get churned out today, Hollywood or independent. Check it out -- just don't expect to laugh too much.