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The term 'charming' is normally used by critics to discuss certain characters or particular lines of dialogue in the wacky fictional world we worship. When the superlative is used to describe a whole film, as in this instance, one has to emphasise that this is not hyperbolic usage of the conveyor belt of stock phrases an over zealous reviewer may use. Little Miss Sunshine is indeed a 'charming delight', a 'tour de force', a 'triumph', or any other examples of wannabe quote whoring the Paul Ross or Johnny Vaughan characters of our tabloid press associate themselves with. The husband-wife directorial team of Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris have created a pleasant picture amongst the bullets, bombs and rapid shot films of today's era. We still get the token swearing thanks mainly to Alan Arkin's Grandpa, but the enduring images of the Hoovers from Albuquerque, New Mexico spawn from every generation - Abigail Breslin's title role is as cute as producers could expect, Steve Carell's Uncle Frank is a nerdy joy, Greg Kinnear plays the patriarch with the same loser qualities which made As Good as it Gets (1997), Stuck On You (2003) and The Matador (2005) such wholesome successes, Toni Collette is a more than capable over-worked and over-stressed mother, and Paul Dano's silent son is a relatively fresh character-type acted out with ease.
Having difficulties on the long journey to success (the Hoovers are struggling to get to a beauty pageant) is certainly an unoriginal concept, but when it's delivered in such a uniquely innocent manner, one realises this film is worth a look - who doesn't appreciate the beauty of a sparkling gem? From the embarrassing and hilarious porno magazine buying at a service station to continuous scribing as a form of simple conversation, you will smile throughout. We witness the artificiality of the Barbie doll figures in the pageant finale, but realism is exemplified predominantly in the distorted road trip - Richard's nine motivational steps are a non-starter, Frank is a suicidal depressive and Dwayne's dream inevitably goes unfulfilled. Even when Olive reaches her version of Mecca, you will think even fish out of water can swim.
The extras
A commentary and four alternate endings with optional commentary. Both 'special features' do nothing to the viewing experience.
The summary
Loveable with enough dark and light elements to cancel each other out. A hysterical ride touching upon a sincere humanity.
