Little Miss Sunshine

2006
R
1h 41m

IMDb RATING

7.8/10

527K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

1,346

Alan Arkin, Toni Collette, Greg Kinnear, Steve Carell, Paul Dano, and Abigail Breslin in Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

Home Video Trailer from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Play trailer0:17

9 Videos

99+ Photos

Coming-of-Age Dark Comedy Quirky Comedy Road Trip Comedy Drama

A family determined to get their young daughter into the finals of a beauty pageant take a cross-country trip in their VW bus.A family determined to get their young daughter into the finals of a beauty pageant take a cross-country trip in their VW bus.A family determined to get their young daughter into the finals of a beauty pageant take a cross-country trip in their VW bus.

Directors
- Jonathan Dayton
- Valerie Faris
Writer
- Michael Arndt
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.8/10

527K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

1,346

Directors
- Jonathan Dayton
- Valerie Faris
Writer
- Michael Arndt
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Won 2 Oscars
- 72 wins & 112 nominations total

Trivia
The production crew made sure Abigail Breslin really was listening to music in her headphones to keep her from hearing Alan Arkin's profanity-laced scenes.

Goofs
When at the motel, Sheryl reads off the three room numbers they are staying in as 11, 12, and 13. When Grandpa and Olive go into their room and shut the door, though, the number reads 208.

Quotes
Grandpa: A real loser is someone who's so afraid of not winning he doesn't even try.

Alternate versions
The DVD contains four alternate endings:
Alternate Ending # 1 had the family stop at a rest stop the next day as they're driving back home. Richard talks fondly about Grandpa, and then the family toasts to his memory. You actually can't hear the dialogue, since the only audio option is for the director's commentary on this ending. Basically, the filmmakers thought that it was too sappy (since it was too sunny during the scene) and so they stopped filming.
Alternate Ending #2 had the family handcuffed at the security office at the hotel. The security guard tells them that Olive is disqualified from the competition and that they are released, under the condition that they are banned from entering beauty pageants in California again. He releases the family members, and they start to walk out of the lobby. Sheryl places a crown on Richard's head, who in turn places it on Olive's head. As they exit the hotel, Richard asks "who wants ice cream?"
Alternate Ending #3 had Olive running out into the lobby of the hotel, acting as a lookout, as you can hear everyone else arguing off-screen about stealing the trophy. She signals that the coast is clear, and so the others run out of the hotel carrying the trophy (while Frank wears the crown).
Alternate Ending #4 is the same as #3, but it's extended. Title cards detail the family stealing the trophy from the room, running down the hall, running out of the hotel, running into the van, and driving off.

Connections
Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby/Little Miss Sunshine/Shadowboxer/Miami Vice/The Night Listener (2006)

Soundtracks
Chicago
Written by Sufjan Stevens
Performed by Sufjan Stevens
Courtesy of Asthmatic Kitty Records

User reviews1K

Review

Featured review

8/10

Love these characters

Sheryl Hoover (Toni Collette) is trying hold this crazy family together. Her brother Frank Ginsberg (Steve Carell) is just released after his suicide attempt. Her husband Richard (Greg Kinnear) is a bad motivational speaker who is always talking about winning except he's a loser himself. Her son Dwayne (Paul Dano) is tired of his family, and has vow to be silent. Grandpa Hoover (Alan Arkin) was kicked out of his nursing home for misbehaving. Finally daughter Olive (Abigail Breslin) is so excited about getting into the Little Miss Sunshine pageant.

The reason this movie works is that I love these characters. I love everybody except for the dad. They are just so weirdly likable. They are the essence of an underdog story. I love this family, and it's not only for the cute little girl. I even love the VW van.