King of Ah Mengs

You know, when you go watch a movie with little fanfare, yet critically acclaimed (93% on RottenTomatoes), 2 things spring into mind:

1) “Oh boy, another arty-farty movie.” (See The Banquet, Lost In Translation)
2) “Wow…the critics are right after all.”

I came out with the latter notion, having watched the Best Comedy….heck, could even be the Best Movie of the Year.

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This movie focus on a dysfunctional family in America.

There’s Richard (Greg Kinnear), the head of the household that pushes his brand of motivational speaking on anyone & everyone around him, trying to use it as his springboard to greater financial fortune.

There’s Dwayne (Paul Dano), the rebellious teenager who taken a vow of silence, until he fulfil his dreams of being a jet pilot and to be away from his family. (A teenager who hates his family? Sorry, can’t relate to that.)

There’s Grandpa (Alan Arkin), a man who’s seen it all, done it all, is still doing it behind his family’s back, and is not afraid to tell anyone who’s listening – or not – all about it.

There’s Sheryl (Toni Collette), the eye of the hurricane trying to make sure everyone is fed and getting along well.

There’s Uncle Frank (Steve Carell), released back into the world after a suicidal breakdown over the loss of his gay partner, and now just trying to put his rocky past behind him.

And of course, there’s Olive (Abigail Breslin), young enough to still hold onto and cherish her dreams while everyone else in the family is doing their best to hold onto theirs.

In Olive’s case, her dream is to win a beauty pageant that Sheryl’s sister got her involved in, the Little Miss Sunshine pageant in Redondo Beach, California. The only problem is that the Hoovers live in Albuquerque and can’t afford to fly there for the pageant. So the whole family hops into their VW bus and drives from New Mexico to California, everyone sticking together to make sure that at least one member of their family has their dream come true.

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2 things made this movie worked:
1) A great cast that creates wonderful chemistry. Despite having only Steve Carrell considered as a top-billing actor in Hollywood, they mesh so well that a top level cast might not be this good together.

2) The script, which contains a simple story with its complex characters to create an arc that had the audience simultaneously laughing, crying and cheering by its incredibly touching and heart rendering climax.

Really. You won’t regret catching this movie.

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Rating: 5 out of 5 (perfect)