Post by StevePulaski on May 23, 2012 17:07:19 GMT -5
The dysfunctional Hoovers at a diner.
Rating: ★★★★
One of the most remarkable comedy gems of the 2000's was Little Miss Sunshine, a comedy centered around a beyond dysfunctional family, all trying to better themselves in ways not seemingly possible. This is one of the most poignant exercises of satire and wait that I've encountered over the last few years, and after three viewings of the film, I love it just as much as I did when I saw it. It's a gem.
The film revolves around the Hoover family who live in Albuquerque, New Mexico. They are motivation speaker Richard (Kinnear), who is desperately trying to close a deal with his uptight boss about this "seven steps" program to teach people like him (losers in denial) that they truly are capable winners, Sheryl (Collette) whose only wish is that her family is getting along and satisfied with each other, Sheryl's brother Frank (Carrell), a depressed homosexual scholar who moves in with them after his suicide attempt, Dwayne (Dano), who has taken a vow of silence until achieving his dream of flying jets, Olive (Breslin), a perky, upbeat youngster who constantly appreciates her family, and the foul-mouthed grandpa Edwin (Arkin).
The family make the costly trip to California by Volkswagen bus to watch Olive compete in a beauty pageant/dance competition. Along the way, the family receives insight on their flaws, each one of them learning something about their inner-selves and how they are placed in society. This is where the poignant aspect breeds contempt. The film is so unfaithful to modern stereotypes that it treats these characters as humans, and not as archetypal drones in a modern cutesy comedy.
Why is it "Required Viewing?": It's difficult to tell people how Little Miss Sunshine fares better than stiff, foreseeable rom-coms and feel-good dramas, and why it is the diamond in the rough. It's actors are blessed with beautifully written material, its direction and tone is always one of the prime concerns, and the end scene is one of the most giddy and upbeat ones in recent memory. This is a charmer of a film, and I dub it "Required Viewing" because I believe it has the power to change your perception on dysfunctional people. They aren't all troubled beyond repair. They just need some careful insight.
My original four star review of Little Miss Sunshine, stevethemovieman.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=perfect&action=display&thread=3072
