144 out of 159 people found the following review helpful:

Fantastic feel-good film

Michaela Hamilton from Co. Durham, 11th September, 2006

What an amazing film! The story centres around an unconventional family and their young daughter Olive's entry into the final of a national beauty pageant. The film tracks their 700 mile journey to the pageant in a clapped out camper van. Each member of the family has their own quirks that make them special and it is the development of the characters along the way that makes this film truly memorable. From the teenage anst ridden older brother inspired to observe a vow of silence by Nietzsche, to the hapless dad who believes that everyone in life can be a 'winner' if only they choose to purchase and follow his hilariously desperate 'nine step' programme - this family is unique, dysfunctional but exude a warmth that is all-enveloping and familiar. As well as being laugh-out-loud funny from start to finish, 'Little Miss Sunshine' is touching, and even uncomfortable to watch at times, especially when the precocious young beauty queens strut their stuff for the judges in their desperate attempts to emulate the success of seasoned professionals such as 'Miss California'. It's quite easy to see why this film has reaped such high critical acclaim. If you want to be moved to tears, one minute from laughing and the next from crying, then this is the film for you.

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78 out of 98 people found the following review helpful:

Don't Bother

Brian Candy from Wales, 6th May, 2007

A long build up to nothing. One or two laughs and that's it. I sat through it expecting something, no anything to make the film worth while. But you know what; in the end, nothing.

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61 out of 88 people found the following review helpful:

Not so bright, it hurts my eyes

Mbub from Westbury, Wilts, 11th September, 2007

A failing family come together for the youngest member so that she can enter the Little Miss Sunshine contest. I have heard great things about this movie and a few bad ones, but for me personally I didn't see anything special about it. It was basic story-telling and a sad reflection of that. Yes it was not a run of the mill Hollywood movie, no action, no animation, no special effects, but it also has no real story either. The acting from the Grandad was the best bit in the film, other than that it wasn't amazing, or brilliant. It actually reminded me of a ITV drama. Only watch if you have nothing better to do.

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46 out of 60 people found the following review helpful:

A flawless ray of sunshine!

A Customer from North London, 22nd September, 2006

Now this is what I call an impeccable film!WHY DON'T THEY MAKE MORE FILMS LIKE THIS?!!!Superb cast,but what really makes the film flawless are the characters and how they affect the story. This is a family who eat take out chicken every night out of paper plates!The dad (the brilliant Greg Kinnear)is trying to crack into the Self Help market with his 9 step plan. He is hillarious because he takes his business a bit too seriously (always quoting what winners do compared to losers), the mum (Toni Collete)and seeming breadwinner of the family has just inherited her suicidal, gay brother on top of already having her sex mad, coke snorting father-in-law to contend with. Her teenage son has decided to take a vow of silence till he becomes a test pilot and her youngest-,geeky Olive who is really the ray of sunshine in the film. It is Olive that takes us on an adventure of her family and her understanding of what life is all about. The film is funny and deeply human because is makes us realise the complexity and frailty of being a human being. What a lovely, majestic, warm, funny feel good film.I can understand why it has been received so well by the public, as it taps into so many issues that are quite universal. But I think what made many smile is that for an hour and a half we remember what it like to be an innocent child, in a state of awe living life unhampered by limits , and I guess that is a place that as adults we all miss and long for. For once I've gone to see a movie and it has left me with something....and I haven't quite figured out what, all I know is that when the movie finished I had a big smile on my face and I felt quite amazing for having watched it ....

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A slightly tamer version of 'Meet the Fockers!'

A Customer from Peterborough, 18th March, 2010

If you're looking for a film full of action, this isn't it - not much really happens apart from a family driving a van to California! It also wasn't nearly as funny as hoped for (although Steve Carell was fantastic and hilarious as a depressed uncle). That said, it was a very enjoyable, feel-good movie, showing how a very disfunctional (yet in many ways 'normal') family manage to muddle through the obstacles life throws at them, and how you don't have to be 'beautiful' to be happy! I would definitely recommend renting this DVD.

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Ray of Sunshine!!!

Stuart Neill from Cardiff, Wales, 16th March, 2010

Wow, brilliantly written and acted. Trust me you will love this very funny and witty film.

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Renews your faith in life

bytheseaside from , 13th March, 2010

What a wonderful film, sweet, heartfelt, funny and excellently shot. It made me laugh out loud, and I was rooting for the characters all the way. It's a fantastic dose of togetherness whatever the weather.

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2 out of 2 people found the following review helpful:

Just wait for the laughs

Earlsdon from Coventry, 12th March, 2010

Just trust this film - it will reward you.

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