Little Miss Sunshine

by Aaron Helfferich · Published August 18, 2006

Surrounding its release, “Little Miss Sunshine” seemed to be the talk of film industry. In early stages it had already made a strong impact among the major contenders for the coveted Academy Award. Given all its praise, does this little film have enough unique qualities in it that make it a gem?

The story begins by introducing you to one of the most intact dysfunctional families a movie has ever depicted. As strange as it is for these people to still be living together, the film moves along with the wilted family. We see a gay man being released from the hospital who has just tried to commit suicide in light of his departed lover. We are introduced to a heron addict grandfather who likes to use every four letter word ever known to man; we meet a mother and father who barely hold the gang together because they only seem interested in their own lives; and there is the teenage brother who isn’t speaking a word until he can get away from the rest of his family. To top it off, there is an innocent little girl who has dreams of competing in a beauty pageant.

Even with a redundant mess of characters, the film rolls along with a rather interesting story. Upon deciding to enter their daughter in the Little Miss Sunshine contest, the mother and father, played respectively by Toni Collette and Greg Kinnear, realize they cant leave the entire family behind without worrying to their wits end. Upon the abundant protests from the grandfather (Alan Arkin) and the teen brother (Paul Dano), the family begins their treacherous journey to California that has bad news written all over it. To get to their destination, the family is forced to take their bright yellow and barely operating VW van.

The sheer design of the story is what helps the film attain more blatant and sometimes disturbing events of hilarity. Each character has an interesting an unique quality that easily conflicts with the others. Upon all these annoying and sometimes amusing qualities, each character individually goes through a process of realization. For better or for worse, there is a strong message of hope and respect that travels throughout the film no matter how broken or twisted it comes at you.

“Little Miss Sunshine” is an enjoyable film because it strives to tell a depressing story in a comedic manner. Sure, there are moments that may seem unnecessary, but the payoff of all the drastic events hit every right note. Audiences will find themselves feeling sorry for characters even while they are laughing at them.

No matter how over the top the performances might seem, each actor brings to life the undying humanity the characters discover within themselves. Ultimately, “Little Miss Sunshine” comes out as one of the most unique adventures in the weirdest of ways. Even among its immature sequences, there are shining scenes of heart and hope no matter how goofy or juvenile you want to make them out to be.