In the entirety of film history, very few films have staying power. Staying relevant is easier said than done, but directors Johnathan Dayton and Valerie Feris do just that with their project Little Miss Sunshine. 

The 2006 film is a triumph of filmmaking due to its stellar cast and mesmerizing story. Directors Johnathan Dayton and Valerie Feris team up with screenwriter Micheal Arndt to deliver a story about a family struggling to find success in America.

Little Miss Sunshine begins when young Olive Hoover wins the opportunity to compete in the Little Miss Sunshine beauty pageant in California. Olive is overjoyed by this realization, but the family members realize the difficulty of the situation. The family has little money and needs to drive from New Mexico to California in 3 days.

The entire tension-filled family tags along including parents Richard and Sheryl, brother Dwayne, and Grandfather Edwin. Along with Sheryl’s brother Frank who had just attempted suicide days prior due to a failed romance. The events during this trip continue to put pressure on the family and antics ensue.

Without a great script, a film can never reach the heights of a true classic. “Little Miss Sunshine” writer Michael Arndt’s script is a true masterclass. The characters drive the story, the story’s events have clear and present effects on the characters, and the characters’ reactions to these events continue to advance the plot.

The writer allows the audience to clearly understand every characters’ wants and needs by introducing their inner conflicts at the start of the film. Though each character feels unique, it is easy to identify with them. This early introduction allows for the audience to quickly become invested in the story.

Early on the viewers are told by the film that Olive (Ashlyn Breslin) is the focus of all the characters in the family. They all love her but disagree with the values that the other family members are trying to teach her. This tension is shown best in the scene where the family attempts to convince Olive that it’s okay to eat ice cream while her father (Richard) tells her only losers eat ice cream.

Although Little Miss Sunshine is a fantastic screenplay, a film is nothing without an amazing staff of actors and crew.

First, the ability of the crew to make every environment in the film feel authentic is perfect. Whether we are in the home of the characters or the family van, everything feels lived in rather than a rented prop for a movie. The detail and effort put into the background is a character on its own.

The entire cast gives stellar performances, but Olive (Abigail Breslin) steals the show. She avoids the curse of being dubbed an “annoying” child actress by bringing a genuine innocence to the role. Specifically, her acting skills shine while she consoles her brother Dwayne (Paul Dano) has his dream of being a pilot crushed by the revelation that he is colorblind.

Though released in 2006, Little Miss Sunshine still accurately depicts the reality of the family struggle in America. Everyone wants the best for their family, but not many think about what that family member truly wants. This core concept of love and turmoil within a family is what allows the film to stay relevant.