LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE

Originally published in Verbicide issue #18

101 min., dir. by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, with Greg Kinnear, Steve Carell, and Toni Collette

Even if I don’t understand why it took two people to direct this film, Little Miss Sunshine was probably the most fun I’ve had at the theater in a long time. After attending the Telluride Film Festival, which featured undeniably brilliant but darkly intense dramas, it was refreshing to return to the local multiplex to discover that simple, heartwarming comedies can still deliver the same level of quality.
The success of Little Miss Sunshine may be due to one element that is usually the downfall of many other films: its simplicity. From the start of the opening credits, LMS wastes no time telling its story of the dysfunctional Hoover family who sacrifice their comfort levels to travel (by Volkswagen van) from Albuquerque to Los Angeles in order for Olive, the sweet seven-year-old daughter, to compete in a beauty pageant for young girls. Without complicating details or complex story twists getting in the way, the minimalist plot allows the characters freedom to carry the film on their shoulders, which is what makes LMS a cinematic gem.

Leading the hapless Hoover clan is the father, Richard (Greg Kinnear), an uptight businessman wannabe who is pitifully in denial of being a loser. Hoping to score big on his creation, a “Nine Steps to Success” program, Richard constantly hands out advice on how to “make it” to the rest of his family — advice that is hard to take seriously from a man whose biggest achievement is giving lectures to classrooms of four or five people.

But standing by her man (often regrettably) is Richard’s wife, Sheryl (Toni Collette), the more realistic and straightforward mom. Although her love for her family is apparent, Sheryl’s responsibility of being the sole moneymaker of the household impedes her ability as a mother, shown by the fact she’s had to serve fast-food fried chicken for dinner almost every night. This does not go unnoticed by Richard’s father, Erwin (Alan Arkin), who recently moved into the Hoover house after being kicked out of his old folks home for snorting heroin. Often complaining and always cursing, Grandpa Hoover makes up for his coarse behavior by coaching Olive in her talent portion for the upcoming “Little Miss Sunshine” pageant.

Also along for the ride are the two most hesitant Hoovers to partake in the trip: the temporarily mute 15-year-old son Dwayne (Paul Dano) who, being obsessed with Nietzsche, has taken a vow of silence until he fulfills his goal of becoming a military pilot, and Sheryl’s brother, Frank (Steve Carell). Carell brings his masterful delivery of dark humor as the homosexual uncle forced to live under the watchful eye of the Hoovers after his failed suicide attempt.

Last, but certainly not least, is, of course, Olive, wonderfully portrayed by Abigail Breslin, whose sweetness is only superceded by her unbelievable acting abilities. Breslin appears to be the cure to anyone who can’t bear to see one more child’s role given to Dakota Fanning. You may recognize Breslin as Mel Gibson’s daughter when she premiered in M. Night Shyamalan feature, Signs, but it would be a mistake to use that role as a way to judge her. Four years have passed and Breslin’s talent is only getting better.

But Little Miss Sunshine isn’t just the Abigail Breslin show. Nor should it be categorized as a showcase for Steve Carell, whose career is exceptionally hot right now. LMS is about the entire family and therefore is an ensemble piece. No single actor stands out in this film, but instead relies on the others to help make his or her character come alive. Case in point, we all know that Arkin has always been able to bring the laughs and Kinnear has had some memorable roles as well, but don’t overlook the impressive performance of Paul Dano. Dano showed signs of promise as the shy, seemingly hopeless Klitz in The Girl Next Door, but now proves himself as a rising star with Dwayne Hoover’s unique reasons for teen angst.

You may be thinking, any film with a cast like this is obviously going to bring the laughs. But what makes this particular movie so special? A reasonable question with a concrete answer: the subtleties. I actually returned to the theater for a second viewing of this film and was caught off-guard at how many little things I had missed the first time around. With a family of six on the screen, it’s hard to keep your eyes on each of them all at once. However, directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris do a superb job of making sure no character falls to the wayside. Make an attempt to see what’s going on in the background as well what’s happening up close — you’ll find yourself pleasantly surprised.

What you won’t find in this film: fancy camera angles, exceedingly insightful dialogue, or full-out explanations. What Little Miss Sunshine will give you is genuine honesty and authenticity and it won’t apologize for it, even if it is mapped out in a formula we all may have seen before. Which I hope you agree is perfectly okay. It’s been a long time since the last installment of the Griswold adventures of the Vacation saga, so weren’t we due for a traveling dysfunctional family flick?