Had not done a movie review for something now, so I need to sharpen my vocab and bring you my latest review. This indie film which was produced with USD 800,000 is a big hit at the Sundance Festival playing to standing ovations and practically paid for itself on the first week of release in the US earning 1.4 million.
LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE is about a dysfunctional American family road comedy that is funny and heart-warmingly human. The Hoovers are your typical family unit with a difference, Dad Richard (GREG KINNEAR), a budding motivational speaker cum philosopher is desperately selling his 9-step program for success. Mum Sheryl (TONI COLLETTE) is upfront and centre with honesty regardless of consequences, especially those of her brother Frank (STEVE CARELL), a self-proclaimed No. 1 Proust scholar who attempted suicide after being jilted by his gay lover. They are blessed with 2 kids, a bespectacled seven year-old beauty queen wannabe, Olive (ABIGAIL BRESLIN) and Dwayne (PAUL DANO), an angry Nietzsche-reading teen who has taken a staunch vow of silence until he gets into the Air Force Academy. Not to forget grandpa (ALAN ARKIN), a foul-mouthed pleasure-seeker who enjoys getting high on heroin.After a brief intro to the characters and a glimpse into their daily mental breakdowns, we pick up on Olive getting a shot at the "Little Miss Sunshine" beauty pageant in California after the winner dropped out and she being the runner-up assumes the role to represent Alberquerque. The entire Hoover family rallies behind her and 'jump' into their Volkswagen caravan and head West on a three-day self dicovery journey filled with madcap surprises. The finale was really hilarious - Olive's big talent debut which will change the entire misfit family in ways they could never imagine.
4.5 out 5! Go watch it!
