Review: Little Miss Sunshine

March 12, 2007 · Print This Article

Little Miss Sunshine is a story of one family who struggles to keep it together while supporting their youngest member of the family as she tries to make it to the Little Miss

Los Angeles - “Little Miss Sunshine” is a story of one family who struggles to keep it together while supporting their youngest member of the family as she tries to make it to the Little Miss Sunshine beauty contest.

The main character, Olive, is played by Abigail Breslin who is supported by a remarkable cast of characters: Greg Kinnear is the father Richard; Toni Collette is Sheryl the Mother; Paul Dano plays Olive’s brother Dwane; Steve Carell is Sheryl’s brother and Alan Arkin as the heroin snorting grandfather.

Although the story revolves on Olive, each character slowly unfolds as the movie continues until its conclusion. The creativity and boldness of the movie to experiment on characters is truly remarkable.

The beauty of the movie is that the story is not told upfront. Each character doesn’t need to take the center stage so that the audience will know their story. By the time the character takes on the center stage, the story is already told and we’re left to sympathize with the character’s dismal or funny conclusion.

The sub-plot about Olive’s brother Dwane is remarkably presented even though the character doesn’t say a word in most parts of the movie. You’ve got to see it for yourself how his story unfolds right before your eyes without even knowing it. But don’t count-out individual stories that surround Olive – from Greg Kinnear to Steve Carell, each of them has a story to tell that you have to be aware how the characters slowly reveal themselves to you.

Don’t get me wrong, this is a feel good film and you know that in the end everyone would somehow get what they want or be contented with what they have. But what’s amazing is the emotional ride that you’ll get from the characters. The bigger story, which is about Olive, is of course the best of them all. Every character flaw and is well fitted to the story. They become pieces of the puzzle that perfectly fit together so that they could create and tell the story of Olive.

No wonder it got so many great reviews. Little Miss Sunshine is an indie film that’s destined for greatness. Film students will be intrigued how the story is told while the general public is invited to take the emotional ride as they share the triumphs and frustrations of every character. It’s not tear-jerker but a feel good movie with a lot of heart to tell.

CMR gives “Little Miss Sunshine” a rating of 4/5.