Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

Little Miss Sunshine was the debut movie by directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris.  Where have those names been heard before?  They are the team that has brought many incredible music videos to MTV.  The movie was released in 2006 and starred Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette, Steve Carrell, Alan Arkin, Paul Dano, and introducing the adorable Abigail Breslin.  Together they are a dysfunctional family, the Hoovers.  It is a lovely story of a family dealing with drugs, homosexuality, suicide, teenage angst, and a family near bankruptcy.  They all must go on a road trip from their home in Albuquerque to Redondo, California where the Little Miss Sunshine Pagent is being held.  On the trip they ride their Volkswagon T2 Microbus which hasn't been made since 1979.  It is clear they have little money.  The car becomes one of the stars of the movie which everything going wrong along the ride.  Along with the car, the family must also overcome death and realizations of their own lives.  Road Trip movies are great for bringing families together as this movie does.  Through all of their problems they come together in a wonderful dance routine.  

Alan Arkin, Edwin, won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role playing the Grandfather that got kicked out of a retirement home for having a heroin problem.  He doesn't have a care in the world, but he does have a close relationship with his granddaughter, Olive, played by Breslin, who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress.  She was the fourth youngest in the Academy's history (Tatum O' Neal in 1973's Paper Moon was the youngest.)  She plays the seven year old girl that qualifies for the beauty pagent, although she clearly doesn't have the look of a child beauty queen.  But, from his grandfather's advice, she understands that she has to be herself.  The other relationship in the movie is had by Steve Carrell, playing Frank, a homosexual, who after a failed attempt at love also failed at attempting suicide.  After coming to stay with the family, he forms a relationship with the silent Paul Dano, Dwayne.  He declares he hates everyone and has stayed silent until he can accomplish his dreams of being a jet pilot.  The two of them both lack enthusiasm of this trip, but are able to make a connection.  Greg Kinnear and Toni Collette play the husband and wife team of Sheryl and Richard.  I loved Kinnear in the role as a father whose persuing to be a life coach.  Something that in the beginning of the story doesn't seem like a good idea considering his family.  

It's a great story with excellent casting.  It also has a great soundtrack featuring DeVotchka, Surfjan Stevens, and of course, what movie would be complete without Rick James.   Along with Arkin's award, the movie also won a well deserved Academy Award for Best Screenplay to Michael Arndt, this being his first.  Look out for him as he is also working on the screenplay for Toy Story 3 in 2010.  Can't wait for that!  

 

So what do we learn from Little Miss Sunshine?  If your family is nuts, the best think to do, get a van, throw everyone in, and drive somewhere.  And when you get home, the family will be closer than ever...until the next day when everything is back to normal.  Here is the trailer:

And here is the music video from DeVotchka.  The song is "Till The End Of Time"