Review: Little Miss Sunshine
Little Miss Sunshine is one of those rare films that stayed with me, in a good way, long after I watched it.
It’s the story of a very dysfunctional family that goes on a cross-country road trip in a VW bus to fulfill its littlest member’s dream of competing in the Little Miss Sunshine pageant in California.
Dad, Greg Kinnear, is hinging the whole family’s future on his hopes of becoming a self-help guru. Big brother has been on a vow of silence for months. Uncle Frank is recovering from a suicide attempt. Grandpa, played by the incomperable Alan Arkin, is a drug addicted, potty-mouthed deliquent from a seniors’ home. Toni Collette is Mom, just trying to keep everyone together. Abigail Breslin plays the little 7 year old competitor. She’s the anti-Dakota Fanning, and that’s a very good thing.
Explaining too much wouldn’t serve this film well. It’s not zany or goofy but subtly funny and surprisingly smart. Familiar faces weave seamlessly into the story in small roles. It won’t change your life but it’s a sweet, amusing little film. NOTE: Arkin’s character goes on a few hilarious but very R rated rants. It’s not for the ears of little ones!
