Jamie passion and passionfruit!

A delightful film which is a sort of road movie about a dysfunctional family and which shows just how comedy can unveil greater truths in a way that is more subtle than say, Transamerica.  The film has lots to say about topics like old age, motivational speakers, children’s beauty contests, marriage, diet and death which all comes out thanks to the wierd and wonderful characters and their adventures.  Greg Kinnear is great in one of his best roles as the failed motivational speaker, wife Toni Collette does another grand turn as the glue keeping the family together, Alan Arkin is a hoot as the grandfather, Steve Carell is almost unrecognisable as the brother who is the suicidal Proust expert and Paul Dano as the mute adolescent brother hits just the right note.  And then there is Abigail Breslin as little Miss Sunshine candidate herself.  The antithesis of other candidates, a little fat and ungainly and definitely after her own dream.  Her performance in the talent section of the contest is a delight!  The directors and screen writers balance humour and reality exquisitely in this little gem that I thoroughly enjoyed as an example of a small big comedy in the same way as the Aussies did with Priscilla and Muriel’s Wedding some years back.

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