Little Miss Sunshine

What would you do if your family is seemingly on the brink of disintegration - the factors being bankruptcy, divorce, suicide, and a death? Little Miss Sunshine is all about holding on to each other when these situations threaten the familial bond.

A family sets on a long distance trip to fulfill the dream of their little daughter to win the pre-pubescent beauty pageant in California, which is 1000 miles away from where they live - Albuquerque. With milk bottle glasses, gaped teeth, and a little paunch the little girl is absolutely no beauty pageant stuff – yet the family decides to support the girl’s dream and sets out on the journey in their near-breaking-down VW bus.

Members of the family are the dad, who hopelessly tries to live on the concepts that he developed called ‘7 steps to success’, the mother who is determined to accomplish her daughter’s dream, the son who has taken a vow of silence until he finds himself in the air force, the ever-badmouthing and reckless drug addict of a grandfather, and the little girl whose attributes we discussed earlier.

As the movie unfolds and the journey unfurls, everyone in the family finds themselves losing out in their battle. Father Richard finds out that he has lost the contract to sell his program after which mom Sheryl threatens him for a divorce. Their son Dwayne finds his air force dream come crashing down when it is discovered that he is colorblind. Adding to the grief, grandfather dies at the motel due to drug overdose.

Nevertheless, the family reaches the pageant venue and manages Olive’s entry. What happens next is absolutely sidesplitting and basically becomes the crux of the movie. Follow your dreams, no matter how extraordinary they may seem. The movie ends with the same note.

Little Miss Sunshine is an adorable movie that is cynical and equally hilarious. It is worth a bet on a leisurely weekend and has melting moments coupled with heartwarming sequences that are sure to put a smile across your face. After all, life is all about putting up with the failures while still hoping that there is light at the end of the tunnel.