Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
April 6, 2008
Little Miss Sunshine, a dramatic ride, full of emotional pit stops! There is obvious reasons this movie is universally praised. It touches on aspects of our lives that all of us can identify with. We have goals we want to accomplish, we all have failures we have to face, we all have obstacles we have to overcome, and it’s how we face these challenges that define who we are as a person. In Little Miss Sunshine you meet a family who are all facing these different struggles.
This is a story of the Hoover family from Arizona! Richard (the Dad), is all about being a winner, as a motivational speaker he’s trying to get his 9 step program to be recognized. Then you have Sheryl (the Mom), the hard working bread winner of the family. Next meet Dwayne (the teenage son), with dreams of attending flight school. Then there is Olive, sweet little girl (the daughter) who imaginings herself one day as walking down the stage as Ms America! Now there is Edwin (the Grandpa) who has that never had high aspirations, he just lived his life and is now addicted to cocaine. And finally, you have Frank, (the gay suicidal uncle) who also happens to be is the leading Proust Scholar in the United States!
Their voyage begins with the news that Olive can now compete in the Little Miss Sunshine pageant, taking place in the neighboring state of California! Determined to save money, Dad decides to go as a family and take the volts wagon bus! It’s along the way, they face many obstacles together as a family. They will forced to pull together and work as a family through some of their most disappointing and moments of their lives.
No sunscreen is needed when viewing this movie, you want the rays to hit you as you bask in it’s brilliance. The diverse nature of each character really highlights the amazing talents each actor brings to the table in this film. You would not expect them to fit so nicely together as they do, but they make it work. Abigail Breslin stands out as Olive, the lovable 8 year old little daughter. From her infectious smile to her big adorable round glasses, you are immediately in her corner. The audience no doubt cheers for her each step of the way! It was one of the best movies of 2006. Four out of four stars.
