Little Miss Sunshine

director: Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris
writer: Michael Arndt

The true markings of an indie film is perhaps not the budget, but the feel. With the continual risings of film costs as movies try to out-do, out-perform, out-cgi competitors, it's hard to tell where independent films/low-budget films/standard budget films/blockbuster films end and begin. And as more guaranteed moneymakers go down in flames and audacious film festival darlings catch on fire, audiences are becoming more aware and more accepting of those little films-that-could. Enter Little Miss Sunshine.

Greg Kinnear heads this family of misfits held together by what seems not so much a familial bond as a growing suspicion that perhaps the members have no other friends. Included in this dysfunctional bunch are Toni Collette as the trying-her-best mom, Alan Arkin as the dirty, old grandfather, Paul Dano as the voluntarily mute and misanthropic teen, Abigail Breslin as the enthused pageant contestant wannabe, and Steve Carell as the depressed uncle. Standouts in the cast include young Breslin - portraying a misguided and confused girl with an innocence that sometimes is absent in other precocious child actors, and Steve Carell, mostly known as the lovably pure 40-Year-Old Virgin and former Daily Show correspondent turned clueless boss, who leaps, or rather detachedly slouches into the somber character.

Also of note is the yellow and white VW wagon which is a character in and of itself. Good road trip films should always pay homage to the mode of transportation. And certainly the filmmakers chose a vehicle that would stand out (in a unique, almost embarrassing sort of way - a classic indie film move, as opposed to the shiny, expensive and exclusive action film sort of way) and look good on a color-coordinated poster.

The film itself has tender, funny moments with enough quirks (a pre-requisite for indie films) to fill two bigger budget films. It also has some surprises, some expected, some not. Those exhaused from the disappointment of supposed summer blockbusters should seek relief in this little oasis called Little Miss Sunshine.

rating: ****/***** (a definite-see)

recommendations: The Adventures of Sebastian Cole, Transamerica