I know there is little use in writing eulogies about this film, everything that could be said, has already been said, but I just can't help to have it in my thread, I loved it too much not to write a few tidbits about it. To paraphrase one of the leading characters, it seems to me like there are two kinds of people in this world; those that love this film and those that hate everything it stands for. Despite most of its reviews claiming this movie to be a great critique of the brutal culture of beauty in America, I find that the reason why some people hate this film is the same reason why I loved it to death.
It's a film about ordinary, average people and their everyday troubles; a father that fails as a "life-coach", a mother and her suicidal gay brother, a son vowed to silence, a grandfather that snorts drugs, and a daughter to whom competing in a beauty contest is everything (ok, maybe not so average). Their lives on a downward spiral, they all cling to the beauty contest as the light at the end of the tunnel. I went into this film thinking it would deal with those nasty ambitious parents that practically force their child to compete in these vile contests in a pathetic attempt at living vicariously through their children. But quite the contrary, these are normal, supporting people who just want their child/sister/neice/granddaughter to be happy.
Being an avid music lover and a devout student of melancholy, most films that make a big impact on me are marked by a superb soundtrack. This sealed the deal for me with Todo sobre mi madre, Amelie, Bin-Jip (3-Iron) and many others...and such was the case with Little Miss Sunshine; a wonderfully melancholic piece of music permeates the film (very similar to that of Todo sobre mi madre), softening your heart as you follow the silly adventures of these people unfold on screen. How can I not love a film which includes an open road scene in the middle of America's vast western scenery while Sufjan Stevens' "Chicago" plays in the background?
There is not a single redundant scene in it, and quite a few genius camera shots (one in particular sticks out, when they pass under the highway overpasses).
And a few words about the brilliant casting; I've been a fan of Toni Collette ever since "Muriel's wedding", Greg Kinnear always had a warm American vibe about him, Alan Arkin is a perfect vulgar grandpa, but the real discovery were Paul Dano as the silent son (despite being silent for most of the film, the eventual outburst of emotions was absolutely brilliant) and Abigail Breslin as Olive (wonderful scene in the motel with her grandfather).
Without being pathetic and clichey, this film does what it set out to do, praise dysfunctional families in all their everyday glory. A road film that, unlike 2004's "little film that could" - Sideways, hit all the right places.
(review written for www.movieforums.com)
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01-24-2007 05:05 AM