Little Miss Sunshine?

[Sarah]

Late, as ever, I just saw this movie.  Can anyone explain to me why it has a 92% "fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes?  Also, could someone point me to the archive(s) where Tom talks about this overrated so-called gem?

I do love Alan Arkin, though.  Coincidentally, I just watched the last hour or so of The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming a few days ago--a childhood favorite--and was reminded of how much I like that man and regret that he's not in more movies.  His foul-mouthed grandpa in Sunshine was by no means his best role, but I was still glad to see him.

[dave from knoxville]

I really liked it, but I am not for much for analyzing why. I do love Arkin too, and I thought Abigail Breslin was really sweet. I like Carrell getting a chance to play something else, and I thought Kinnear acquitted himself well as somebody right on the edge of losing it, while trying to maintain the facade of a classic sit-com version of the perfect dad.

I just remember it ending and feeling entirely satisfied, which rarely happens with me in movies anymore. Sorry you didn't like it, though.

[Omar]

Late, as ever, I just saw this movie.  Can anyone explain to me why it has a 92% "fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes?  Also, could someone point me to the archive(s) where Tom talks about this overrated so-called gem?

Tom talked about the film with Spike on 9/5/06 (starts at 55:53).

He also discussed it with PFT on 2/27/07 (PFT call starts at 46:05)

"Tom thinks you know you're in the hands of master when five endings were filmed. PFT reminds Tom that it was originally going to be marketed like Clue with remote-enabled seating that allowed audiences to choose their preferred ending. One option: Alan Arkin rising from the dead and wondering if his granddaughter did the crazy dance. Tom thinks that Little Miss Sunshine proved that everyone listening has it in them to write a movie that could win an Oscar for Best Screenplay. Paul liked how they really fleshed out the crazy Mom played by Toni Collette, and Tom liked how they went back to the well for the old nugget of a goth kid wanting to be in the Air Force. Tom's pretty sure that the USAF would deny his admittance because he's weird and would crash one of their planes. PFT says the best he could hope for was a Captain agreeing to do a six-month hazing without any flight duties. His fate would be daily Code Reds in the form of being hit with soap-filled socks by all of his colleagues."

[Sarah]

Thank you, Omar.  I figured I could count on you to steer to the right shows.

Dave, I didn't hate it, but I don't get the almost universal acclaim.  It reminded me of countless European films I've seen featuring odd characters and humor amid dysfunctionality, for example, that Swedish flick that Mike recommended to Tom recently, most of Mike Leigh's output, and much Dogma '95 fare.  To me, it felt like Americans trying to hop on a rather travel-worn bandwagon and not quite measuring up to those who've been riding it for a while already.

[knifegirl]

Dave, I didn't hate it, but I don't get the almost universal acclaim.

I'm thinking the almost universal acclaim is due to (1) Alan Arkin, (2) underdog motif, (3) feel-good factor.

That said, I enjoyed it quite a bit, but no more or less than other movies I enjoyed quite a bit but am perfectly fine with never seeing again.

[LostInReno]

Alan Arkin was great as a over the hill drug addict who seems to be the truest influence to the children and adults in the house or VW bus. This movie was great. I think everyone should see this movie.

[John Junk]

I liked it.  It's probably not worth as many accolades as it received, but I see no need to throw it under the VW bus.

[LostInReno]

I liked it.  It's probably not worth as many accolades as it received, but I see no need to throw it under the VW bus.

Pun very much intended. Ha Ha Ha thats funny.