Today’s quick review: Little Miss Sunshine. When their young daughter Olive (Abigail Breslin) makes it into a beauty pageant in California, Richard (Greg Kinear) and Sheryl (Toni Collette) Hoover pile their family into a VW Bus to drive there. Their passengerse include their withdrawn teenage son Dwayne (Paul Dano), Richard’s untamable father (Alan Arkin), and Sheryl’s suicidal brother Frank (Steve Carell).
Little Miss Sunshine is a comedy about a dysfunctional family and their unlucky trip to a beauty pageant. Little Miss Sunshine features capable direction, a well-written script, and an interesting cast of characters, with strong performances in particular from Alan Arkin, Paul Dano, and Steve Carell. The family’s personal struggles in their lives and their misfortunes along the road give the film a steady and pleasing source of humor.
Even though Little Miss Sunshine is a competent comedy, its best moments are its emotional ones. The Hoovers make for an interesting and likeable family, just odd enough to be funny while still keeping their humanity. The movie does an excellent job of capturing the disappointments in life and the little ways people get through them. The light, bittersweet soundtrack underscores these moments perfectly, contributing to a very tidy package.
Watch Little Miss Sunshine if you are looking for a sweet and well-executed comedy. Little Miss Sunshine has a unique tone that blends comedy and sentimentality in just the right proportions. How successful this combination will be for you will depend on your taste, but Little Miss Sunshine is worth taking the time to find out. For a quirkier film with similar dynamics, check out Fantastic Mr. Fox.
7.8 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for good humor, touching moments, and fine craftsmanship.