K is staying with an old friend this evening while Hubby and I go out for a movie.

We saw one a few weeks ago when my sister was in town and I haven’t laughed so hard in a long time. So I’ve gotten the bug to go to a movie again.

Last time we went it was to see:

Little Miss Sunshine.

Ever heard of it? Anyone else seen it?

This isn't an older parent movie or an adoption movie but a movie about a family. (As opposed to a family movie).

At first glance this movie scenario seems tired and worn. A dysfunctional family brought together by love for the little girl, but I gotta tell you.

I LAUGHED.

The cast is what made the story funny. Great acting.

Richard (Greg Kinnear), the dad, is a motivational speaker whose nine-step plan proves to be his guiding principle in business and life. Sheryl (Toni Collette), the mom, is using every ounce of energy to keep her family from blowing apart. Dwayne (Paul Dano), the teenage son, is a fan of Nietzsche and has taken a vow of silence. Olive (Abigail Breslin), the daughter, is a beauty pageant addict and has recently placed second in a local under-10 contest. Uncle Frank (Steve Carell) is living with his sister's family because he recently attempted suicide after losing his lover, his job, and his reputation in a scandal. Then there's heroin-snorting grandpa (Alan Arkin), who's too controversial for a retirement community… (Full Review Here)

I don’t know what is so funny about a family having to push their worn out VW bus out of a parking lot, but it worked. Everyone in the theatre laughed so hard we were falling into each others seats.

So, If you haven’t seen the movie, go.

It’ll give you hope about any dysfunction in your family. And about weird people having the capacity to love each other.

..... Little Miss Sunshine could prove to be a sleeper hit. It's the kind of picture audiences enjoy because there's substance to go with the humor, and movie-goers will leave the theater feeling uplifted. Ultimately, despite flirting with some darker subjects, Little Miss Sunshine lives up to its name

I’ll tell you about my next movie experience in a day or two.


Review here and photo credit here