BuzzFlash Reviews
Little Miss Sunshine (DVD)
Directors: Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris
BUZZFLASH REVIEWS
"Little Miss Sunshine" was a risky film to make. It could have gone south at any moment, given all the characters and situations that could have collapsed into caricatures and unconvincing plot twists.
But, from the first scene, it sets a tone of charm and engagement in an "average" dysfunctional family. The eccentricities of the family members in "Sunshine" may push at the boundaries at times, but they are always within the range that we can relate to them.
There's an engaging vitality to the Hoover family as they embark on an unexpected odyssey. There's something so alive, so animating about their dysfunction that it invigorates the viewer, while leaving you charmed and surprised even at moments that would seem to beg for pity.
There's a vibrant strength to this ensemble of flawed family members, united in an unachievable quest pursued by the youngest member of the family who believes that she can win the "Little Miss Sunshine" beauty contest.
The sun literally shines a little too bright in this film for it to be a dark comedy. It leaves you feeling lighthearted and even a little giddy.
Maybe it's because, like their broken down VW van that they can't start without pushing it and then having family members run along side and jump in, they never give up on life, no matter what the frictions or setbacks.
"Little Miss Sunshine" received wide recognition as an "indie" film. We're not sure what that means anymore, except that Jerry Falwell wouldn't approve of it.
But whatever category you want to lump it in is fine with us. All we know is that it kept us smiling and laughing and rooting for the Hoovers.
Because there is a little bit of the Hoovers in every American family, whether they admit it or not.
BUZZFLASH REVIEWS