The Changing Ways of Normal

    In the film, Little Miss Sunshine, Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, a team of American film and music video directors, explore the ideas of beauty standards and what it means to be a winner or a loser. In the film, 7 year old Olive Hoover wants to compete in the Little Miss Sunshine beauty pageant. With her over worked mother, gay uncle who was just released from the psych ward, type A father, a brother who took a vow of silence, and a drug addicted grandfather, they take a trip to California for the pageant. With family tensions high, the Hoover family goes through obstacles like their van breaking down, the father yelling at everyone, and the grandfather overdosing. 

    Throughout the movie, there are many different norms that are tested. When the Hoover family was out to lunch on their trip, and Olive wanted to order ice cream, her father tried to tell her that you need to be skinny to be a beauty pageant. Throughout the movie, the idea of being skinny to be beautiful is portrayed. Once they arrive at the pageant, all the girls are dressed up with makeup and pretty dresses, while Olive was simple and just wore what she had. Olive was herself and danced her heart out, even though it didn't fit the norm of what a beauty pageant contestant looks like. 

    Another norm that was fought was the idea and stigma around mental health. Frank, the brother who had tried to commit suicide, was brought home to live with the Hoover family. At dinner one night, Olive asked Frank what had happened. Her mother was okay with Frank explaining the truth, but her father thought it was inappropriate. The idea of mental health and suicide is something that should be talked about and this movie just shows how it makes people feel uncomfortable and how wrong that is. 

    This movie talks about many underlying issues, but is also a heartfelt, funny, family movie with many ups and downs. To check out this 2006 film, Little Miss Sunshine, click here. 

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