- Release Date:
- July 26, 2006
- Director:
- Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris
- Rating:
- R
- Runtime:
- 101
- Main Genre:
- Adventure
- Writers:
- Michael Arndt
- Tagline:
- A family on the verge of a breakdown.
- Related Articles
- Details
Summary
“A real loser isn’t someone who doesn’t win. A real loser is someone so afraid of not winning they don’t even try.” --Grandpa LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE is an American family road comedy that shatters the mold. Brazenly satirical and yet deeply human, the film introduces audiences to one of the most endearingly fractured families in recent cinema history: the Hoovers, whose trip to a pre-pubescent beauty pageant results not only in comic mayhem but in death, transformation and a moving look at the surprising rewards of being losers in a winning-crazed culture. A runaway hit at the Sundance Film Festival, where it played to standing ovations, the film strikes a nerve with everyone who’s ever been awestruck by how their muddled families seem to make it after all. No one among the Hoovers quite has it together, but it’s not for lack of trying. Father Richard (GREG KINNEAR), a hopelessly optimistic motivational speaker, is desperately attempting to sell his 9-step program for success -- without much success. Meanwhile, the Hoovers’ “pro-honesty” mother Sheryl (TONI COLLETTE) is constantly harried by her family’s eccentric secrets, especially those of her brother (STEVE CARELL), a suicidal Proust scholar fresh out of the hospital after being jilted by his gay lover. Then there are the younger Hoovers with their unlikely dreams – the four-eyed, slightly plump, seven year-old would-be beauty queen Olive (ABIGAIL BRESLIN) and Dwayne (PAUL DANO), an anger-fueled, Nietzsche-reading teen who has taken a staunch vow of silence until he gets into the Air Force Academy. Topping off the family is the grandfather (ALAN ARKIN), a foul-mouthed pleasure-seeker recently kicked out of his retirement home for snorting heroin. They might not be the picture of perfect mental health, but when a fluke gets Olive invited to compete in the fiercely competitive “Little Miss Sunshine” competition in California, the whole Hoover family rallies behind her. They pile into their rusted-out VW bus and head West on a three-day tragicomic journey filled with madcap surprises and leading up to Olive’s big debut – which will change the entire misfit family in ways they could never imagine.
latest Little Miss Sunshine Articles
Why Little Miss Sunshine Is Still Alan Arkin's Best Role
Alan Arkin took on many roles, but his best was his Oscar-winning performance in Little Miss Sunshine.
Abigail Breslin Pays Tribute to Little Miss Sunshine Co-star Alan Arkin
Alan Arkin passed away last week aged 89, and his Little Miss Sunshine co-star Abigail Breslin has now paid tribute to the late actor.
Little Miss Sunshine: Analyzing the Meaning of Winning
Little Miss Sunshine has a lot to say about the nature of winning and small victories in today's hyper-competitive, often cruel culture of 'success.'
These Are Steve Carell's Best Performances, Ranked
With Steve Carell returning to our screens in season 2 of Netflix's Space Force, here's a look back at his best performances, ranked.
These Are the Best Movies to Watch When You're Feeling Stressed
Sometimes, calm movies to relax to are just what people need as stress relief from busy modern living.
Best Movies About Dysfunctional Families, Ranked
Stories of family dysfunction have become more popular in movies as audiences have grown more fond of realism than idealistic perfection.
Best Movies That Celebrate Family Love
For many, family is everything. Here are the best movies showcasing the power of family love.
These Popular Movies Premiered at Sundance Film Festival
These are ten popular films that originally premiered at the renowned Sundance Film Festival.
These Are Movies With Great Performances By Young Actors
Here's a list of movies starring young actors with a natural gift for acting.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Runtime Announced
Director J.J. Abrams confirms that the Star Wars: The Force Awakens runtime is locked in, while offering even more story details.
Nerd Alert: Batman Kill Count, Teens React to Mockingjay 2 & More
We have a supercut of awkward celebrity interviews, Madden the Movie and more in today's Nerd Alert.
Nerd Alert: Transformers Ruin Movies, Rick Baker's Joker & More
Legendary makeup artist Rick Baker offers his version of The Joker and the Transformers ruin your favorite movies in today's Nerd Alert.
Battle of the Sexes Reunites Steve Carell & Emma Stone
Steve Carell and Emma Stone will play Bobby Riggs and Billie Jean King in Battle of the Sexes, about their famed 1973 tennis match.
Sons of Liberty Interview with Dean Norris | EXCLUSIVE
Dean Norris plays Ben Franklin in the History miniseries Sons of Liberty, which is currently available on Google Play and Amazon.
Scream Queens Trailer: Glee Meets Friday the 13th!
The first trailer has arrived for Scream Queens, Fox's upcoming horror-comedy anthology from the creators of American Horror Story.
Maggie Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger Heads to Lionsgate
Lionsgate is planning an early 2015 release for Maggie, which stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as a father who doesn't want to let go of his zombie daughter.
New Line Plans One Plus One Adaptation
Jojo Moyes is writing a screenplay adaptation based on her novel One Plus One, which follows a single mother embarking on a road trip with her kids.
Viggo Mortensen's Captain Fantastic Heads to Entertainment One
Steve Zahn and Kathryn Hahn join Viggo Mortensen in Captain Fantastic, about a father trying to re-integrate his kids into society.
Robert Redford Comedy A Walk in the Woods Begins Production
Nick Nolte, Nick Offerman, Kristen Schaal and Emma Thompson have joined the cast in this adaptation about two estranged friends who reunite over a long hike.
Haunter Exclusive Interview with Abigail Breslin
Lisa isn't aware that she died nearly 30 years ago in this IFC Films thriller, available now.