Little Miss Sunshine burst onto the scene as the runaway hit of the 2006 Sundance Film Festival. It isn't the typical film we have come to expect from the Holy Grail of independent film festivals. To say that it is a "quirky" family road trip comedy doesn't really do it justice. Little Miss Sunshine puts the "fun" back in dysfunctional. It is the kind of movie that has us laughing from beginning to end while simultaneously experiencing the intensity and depth of the characters' pain and frustration with the circumstances life has dealt them.
Dysfunctional families have always provided a rich source of inspiration for Hollywood. What sets Little Miss Sunshine apart from most films is that we find ourselves laughing through the pain. Somehow having a sense of humor seems to be one of the best ways to work through our suffering and find a sense of peace.
These days everyone seems to believe that his or her family is dysfunctional in some way. People have an intrinsic need to trace the source of their brokenness and pain. The family is always an easy target. The truth, however, is that while our family relationships can cause us great suffering, they can also be the single most significant starting place for the work of healing grace. The love of our family is our first experience of love, and when it fails us, the results can be catastrophic. On the other hand, when we fail, the love of a caring family can be our primary connection to forgiveness and God's transcendent grace.
In this study three clips from the DVD are suggested and discussion questions are provided. The Leader's Guide offers further reflections for the discussion.