Little Miss Sunshine
DVD released 2006
Running Time: 101 minutes
Seemed like 90 minutes
* out of 1 star

This nominee for Best Picture is one of the best movies I've seen in a while. Since it is already getting so much publicity and press, I'll limit my comments to gushing.

This is a low-budget Vacation, but funnier. There's no WallyWorld, no Chevy Chase or Beverly D'Angelo, but there is an insanely funny dysfunctional family that pulls together to create a family moment Capra would shed a tear for.

The characters:

• Alan Arkin is a dirty old man. This reject from a nursing home can't keep his mind out of the gutter.
• Steve Carell (The Office) is a pathetic loser.
• Paul Dano is a sulking teen obsessed with Nietzsche.
• Greg Kinnear is Willie Loman
• Toni Collette is the weakest part as the mom
• Abigail Breslin is the star as the naive little girl.

It's a great recipe that makes the line: "Everyone pretend to be normal" hilarious.

Make sure you watch this pithy commentary on death, morality, society, and love.