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Synopsis Little Miss Sunshine is a satirical and deeply human American road comedy. The film introduces audiences to one of the most endearingly fractured families in recent cinema history: the Hoovers, whose trip to a pre-pubescent beauty pageant results not only in comic mayhem but in death, transformation and a moving look at the surprising rewards of being losers in a winning-crazed culture. The film strikes a nerve with everyone who's ever been awestruck by how their muddled families seem to make it after all.
Plot Meet the Hoovers a family from Albuquerque. Sheryl Hoover is married to Richard they a daughter, Olive and Sheryl also has a teenage son, Dwayne, from her previous marriage. Sheryl is the main income earner while Richard (who is obsessed with winning and succeeding at everything) is unsuccessfully trying to get a deal for a self help programme he has developed (which is all about how to reach success). Olive is a typically curious little girl but she is obssessed with beauty pageants and dreams of becoming a beauty queen. Dwayne has taken a vow of silence and wishes to become an ace pilot. Richards dad, Edwin is currently living with the family after being chucked out of his retirement home for his antics and he's become a drug addict. The add to the mix Sheryl's suicidal brother, Frank. Frank is gay and recently tried to kill himself after the love of his life met someone else ad he ended up getting fired from his job. Sheryl decides to take him into her home to try and make sure he doesn't attempt to kill himself again. The family find out Olive has the chance to compete in the Little Miss Sunshine beauty pageant, the only problem is the contest is in California, as Sheryl doesn't really trust any of them to be left alone (and coupled with the fact that to fly there would be expensive) it's decided that they should all travel to California together in the VW Camper Van. What then ensues is a mix of hilarious capers and genuinely touching moments ending at the Little Miss Sunshine contest.
Cast Olive Hoover- Abigail Breslin Richard Hoover - Greg Kinnear (Fast Food Nation ) Dwayne Hoover - Paul Dano (Fast Food Nation) Grandpa Edwin Hoover - Alan Arkin (America's Sweethearts) Sheryl Hoover - Toni Collette (In Her Shoes) Frank Hoover - Steve Carell (Evan Almighty)
Directors Jonathan Dayton Valerie Faris
Both of these directors mainly have a background in directing music videos with a few TV shows.
My Experience I had mixed feelings about watching this film, I'd heard good things about it but was worried it was going to be a film for film snobs. I decided go ahead and rent it anyway and I wasn't dissapointed with my choice. This film has got pretty much everything going for it. The great cast all deliver outstanding performances. The plot synopsis may not appeal to everyone but the film's screenplay and script are so well written that it could probably draw anyone in. I found it utterly compelling from start to finish. The ending will please anyone who finds kids beauty pageants pretty gross and thinks that the kids are being sexualised, Olive's routine is the perfect end to a pretty perfect movie.
Overall watch it you'll probably like it.
DVD Extras On the rental copy I watched there was no extras.
Awards The film has won 2 Oscar's for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (Alan Arkin) and Best Writing, Original Screenplay (Michael Arndt) as well as winning 40 other awards in various ceremonies across the globe (including our very own BAFTA's)
Running Time 101 mins
ENJOY
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Take a hilarious ride with the Hoovers, one of the most endearingly fractured families in ... more
comedy history.Father Richard (Greg Kinnear) is desperately trying to sell his motivational success programme... with no success. Meanwhile, pro-honesty mom Shery...
Little Miss Sunshine is an American family road comedy that shatters the mold. Brazenly ... more
satirical and yet deeply human the film introduces audiences to one of the most endearingly fractured families in recent cinema history: the Hoovers whose trip to...
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Advantages: Lovely bizarre road movie, perfectly balancing family dilemma and humour Disadvantages: Can seem slow and, sometimes, a little over the top
![Little Miss Sunshine [DVD] [2006]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78189332.jpg "Little Miss Sunshine [DVD] [2006]")
Dec 19th, 2007
very helpful by (100%):
