The notion of a dysfunctional family is really kind of ridiculous. Within all family units there are quirky relatives, some disappointments, and a few secrets. Further, at some point most of us have had an aching desire to run away from everyone to whom we are related if only for a little while. But, we usually don’t leave or go far; instead we stick around and deal with whatever is going on in the best way that we know how. Little Miss Sunshine is a funny and heartwarming example of just that – family members hanging strong no matter how much they get on each other’s nerves.

In fact, the primary goal of the slightly pushy Sheryl (Toni) is to hold her family together, which proves to be a difficult task. Her husband Richard (Greg) is financially bankrupt, but brimming with annoying, clichéd phrases from his nine-step program about being a winner in life. Teen Nietzsche-enthusiast, Dwayne (Paul), has taken a vow of silence that is in its ninth month. Grandpa (Alan), though tender at times, is still pretty bitter about being kicked out of the assisted-living home community because of his heroin use. And rounding out the fun bunch is Uncle Frank whose failed suicide is only the latest of letdowns in his extremely miserable life.

Yet, in the midst of all these peculiar characters we find the purest example of stability in young Olive (Abigail) who is full of optimism, youthful inquisitiveness, and a driving passion to win the Little Miss Sunshine competition in California . That enthusiasm is enough to convince the reluctant clan to pile into their VW van and attempt the 700-mile journey from Albuquerque to the source of Olive’s dreams. So early Saturday morning, with a significant amount of emotional baggage in tow, they head out in hopes of meeting the 3PM -Sunday registration deadline. This mishap-plagued trip turns into quite an adventure and at its end everyone has learned a life lesson or two as they rally to support Olive.

Little Miss Sunshine is just luminescent. All six lead actors are fantastic and co-directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, of music video fame, did an excellent job on their first feature film. This is something for everyone to see for the laughs, the near tears, and the wonderful surprises.

Favorite Film Thus Far in 2006