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Put a “Little Miss Sunshine” in your day
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Family. It’s a word that encompasses all those individuals-blood related and hand chosen, alike-that no matter what, one can always count on; and no matter what, they will be there. In Little Miss Sunshine the limits of familial loyalty, support and love are pushed. Yet when you walk out of the theater, you’re grateful for all those individuals who have stuck by you through the toughest of times-even though you swear they were the cause of those moments to begin with.
The film opens in the midst of a hectic day as Sheryl (Toni Collette) rushes home one afternoon with her depressed and suicidal brother Frank (Steve Carell) in tow. At home, a heroine-addicted grandpa is coaching the pre-pubescent Olive (Abigail Breslin) on becoming the next Miss America and Dwayne (Paul Dano), submerged in Nietzsche, has not spoken one word in nine months. The dad, Richard (Greg Kinnear) is a motivational speaker. And so the characters are introduced in a rather melancholy atmosphere, to say the least, as the first dinner scene explodes into an intense argument.
But the unspoken resentment and heavy regret that weigh down the scene slowly lift as the story progresses. Olive is a finalist in the Little Miss Sunshine Pageant, so the entire family must load into the VW Bus and trek more than 800 miles to get her there; it is a trip that transforms them all.
And every actor is perfect in his/her portrayal of these painfully loveable individuals.
Richard is the dad from hell-at least Dwayne’s hell-and never seems to know when to shut up. He has such high expectations for himself and for his family, yet cannot see that his overwhelming encouragement is really just coming off as constant criticism. Sheryl’s screaming is mother-perfected, Dwayne’s teenage-angst is vividly portrayed, and Frank’s slow return to reality amidst this dysfunctional family is heart-warming. But it is Olive’s innocent dream of being crowned Little Miss Sunshine that’s so inspiring: untainted youth.
Through laughter this family finds a way to connect and so does the audience. The ill fortune that they experience is hilarious as they struggle to get along with each other and keep moving forward.
Several disagreements, some arguments and one giant outburst help the family learn just how much they really mean to each other. Though Dwayne was bribed into the journey, his valiant return as his little sister’s protector feels down right good, and the smile on the sad uncle’s face is quite refreshing.
The fact that the entire family comes together to support one
of their own makes the film so much more endearing. It makes the good times with family easier to remember and cherish.
JULIA C. ARREDONDO
Culture Writer
