I had never heard of this movie until the recent Golden Globes nominations came along and this was one of the nominations I had not watched(the other being "dreamgirls" which I wont watch"}, So watched this movie over the weekend, was not expecting much out of it cos it did not seem my kinda movie, but I was pleasantly surprised. ”Little Miss Sunshine” is a Road trip/family/comedy movie which is highly recommended, if u liked movies like “Sideways” and the Wes Anderson genre films .You should not miss this
In the first five minutes of the movie, we meet all of the characters. Olive(Abigail Breslin) practicing for her beauty contest, her father, Richard(Greg Kinnear) an inspirational speaker, with very little success. Olive’s teenage brother Dwayne(Paul Dano, whose performance might be the best one in the movie) who hasn’t spoken a word in nine months because he’s taken a vow of silence until he becomes a test pilot in the Air Force Academy. Grandpa(Alan Arkin) a heroin snorting and perverted old man . her mom Sheryl(Toni Collette), who is just trying to do the best for her children and teying to keep the family together And last we meet Sheryl’s gay suicidal brother Frank(Steve Carell, another brilliant role) who tried to off himself after being dumped by his lover.
Well when such a dysfunctional family goes on a road trip for the beauty pageant in a yellow VW Hippie Bus, they have an experience that they never could have imagined. Each one gets to see just how messed up s/he is. Even though they all seem weird, we can’t help but admire each of them. There are many hilarious scenes and most of them are witty dialogues coming from Alan Arkin and Steve Carrel. The pageant section was the icing in the cake, been quite some time since I laughed so much.
All the actors fit their characters, again special mention for Grandpa’s character and Frank’s character(Steve Carrel really surprised me in this) .and last but not least, the little girl Olive played by Abigail Breslin( I was told she is the same little girl who comes in Mel Gibsons “Signs”)
The Bottom Line: Go see this film, now. Everything about it clicks, and I doubt it will release in the theatres, so u must rent it out . You can thank me later for recommending it.