Back in 2006, you might recall the frequent cries of "Have you seen Little Miss Sunshine yet?" coming from everyone who had even mildest interest in motion pictures. It was the must-see indie sleeper gem of the year: a genuinely affecting movie that managed to win the hearts of all who saw it. Cut to the present, and you barely hear anything about this very briefly adored dramedy (apologies to anyone who hates that somewhat irritating word, but that's what it is!), almost as if movie-goers regard their brief stint of affection for it like they would a painful, failed relationship. So how did we go from praising Little Miss Sunshine (it was nominated for Best Picture, don't forget) to trying to sweep it under the carpet? Presumably, it's a "times have changed" thing - the self-conscious, quirky characters that seemed new and interesting back in 2006 don't seem quite so bold in retrospect. That said, the passing of a mere eight years hasn't lessened the actual quality of the writing on show here, as Little Miss Sunshine is still exactly what it has always been: an amusing, occasionally touching, well-acted and perfectly fine way to spend 100 minutes.
