Words on Film: Little Miss Sunshine

"Words on Film" looks at the writing process behind films that have been nominated for Best Original Screenplay at the Academy Awards.

Little Miss Sunshine (2006), is a dramatic comedy about a family willing to go through hell in order to get the youngest child to a beauty pageant. Olive is one of the most unforgettable characters you will ever encounter. She’s absolutely adorable and her dreams of being a pageant queen pull so hard on your heart strings that you feel just as entwined in the family’s adventure as the people on screen.

Even the minor characters in this film have impressive stories. Steve Carrell has a serious role (a nice change from his usual comedy) and the van scene featuring Olive’s brother and his dream of being a pilot makes me feel physically ill with sadness every time I watch the movie.

Michael Arndt wrote the film - Little Miss Sunshine was actually his debut screenplay. The depth of story and brilliant writing of this film is a perfect example of how important it is for people to take a chance on new writers. It may have been his first screenplay, but Arndt’s story is certainly not amateur. Little Miss Sunshine won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay in 2006 and Arndt went on to write the screenplay for Toy Story 3. (He’s also writing the screenplay for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and Star Wars: Episode VII.)

The film begins quietly, with no dialogue, and shows off Arndt’s writing ability. The description is little, but it paints the perfect opening scene.

Five young women stand side by side, waiting to be judged  -- breathless, hopeful. A name is announced. Four hearts break.

The camera ZOOMS across the smiles of the losers to find a winner.

She bursts into tears, hugs the nearest runner up.

Begin CREDITS.

MUSIC-- quiet and melancholy -- plays over all the opening scenes, leading to the Title card.

The Contest Winner cries and hugs the Runners-up as she has the tiara pinned on her head. Then -- carrying her bouquet -  she strolls down the runway, waving and blowing kisses.

INT. BASEMENT REC ROOM – DAY

A six-year-old girl sits watching the show intently.

This is OLIVE. She is big for her age and slightly plump.

She has frizzy hair and wears black-rimmed glasses. She studies the show very earnestly.

Then, using a remote, she FREEZES the image.

Absently, she holds up one hand and mimics the waving style of Miss America. She REWINDS the tape and starts all over.

You can read the full Little Miss Sunshine screenplay here.