Little Miss Sunshine

***1/2 Stars

There is nothing better when a movie equals the quality of its title, especially when the movie is called Little Miss Sunshine. It is a true cinematic delight powered by an all star cast.

The Hoover's, a dysfunctional, low-income family embarks on the most important trip of their life. They are determined to get their young daughter, Olive (Abigail Breslin) into the finals of a beauty pageant. They use their big yellow Volks Wagon bus to get there.

Along side Olive is her father Richard, (Greg Kinnear) a failed motivational speaker who tries to sell his idea of a nine step program to success. "There are two kinds of people in this world, winners and losers." Her Uncle Frank (a brilliant Steve Carell) is a gay scholar who has just attempted suicide. Her grandfather (Alan Arkin) is a drug addict who helps coach her for the pageant. Her brother (Paul Dano) has taken a vow of silence until he turns eighteen and joins the military. Her mother (Toni Collette) is a loving, yet chaotic house wife who tries her best to keep the family together. Together, they fight, laugh, cry, and discover who they really are in this quest for the Little Miss Sunshine.

The movie is perfectly cast. Every character is confused and frustrated with one another. But what's important is that they all have their heart in the right place. It reminds us that even a little beauty pageant in California can bring out the best in one another. Little Miss Sunshine is a real winner.