Little Miss Sunshine
Once in a while I get to go to the movies and truly enjoy myself. That happened Saturday night at the Coolidge Corner Theatre.
Little Miss Sunshine is the story of a dysfunctional family of losers who rally together to support the youngest member of the family, Olive, when she gets promoted from second runner-up to participate in the Little Miss Sunshine pageant. It’s candidly mentioned that the first place winner, a seven-year-old girl, was disqualified because of “something about diet pills”. Those are the kinds of laughs that fill the entire film. It’s risqué but sweet - an endearing family road trip comedy built from a brutally funny script and held together by a talented cast playing memorable characters. Without this cast, the film could have been extremely grating and much less enjoyable. Thankfully that is not the case. Obviously Kinnear and Carell are the standouts but the remainder of the cast deserves kudos too, especially Abigail Breslin. Steve Carell has some of his best moments when he’s not even speaking.
I found myself laughing from start to finish as this messed up family raced 600 miles to California in their Volkswagen bus. In between there are some serious moments that make you really love these characters, thus giving the comedy meaning. The end doesn’t disappoint either. In fact I expected a gradual letdown that never came. The beauty pageant stuff is uber creepy, highlighted by the always insanely entertaining Beth Grant. Even Mary Lynn Rajskub (24) and Bryan Cranston (Malcolm in the Middle) make the most of their bit parts. There is one line, and you’ll know when you hear it, that is one of the funniest and most memorable film lines ever uttered.
This could be one of the funniest films I have ever seen.
August 7th, 2006 at 12:38 am
i loved this movie too. I agree, great performances and that little girl was so great. Funny shite..im buying the dvd.