On DVD, a Burst of 'Sunshine'

The ensemble cast of "Little Miss Sunshine," packed into the family bus for the road trip from hell. (Fox Searchlight Pictures)

"Little Miss Sunshine" (Rated R; List price: $29.99)
Release Date: Dec. 19

As the end of 2006 approaches and critics compile their annual "best and worst movies" lists, expect to hear the name "Little Miss Sunshine" a lot.

Easily the most charming film of the year, "Sunshine" deserves every heaping of happy praise it gets. Perfectly acted by its superb ensemble cast -- including Toni Collette, Greg Kinnear, Steve Carell, Paul Dano, Abigail Breslin and the great Alan Arkin -- this hilarious portrait of one family's disastrous trip to a youth beauty pageant accomplishes something most contemporary comedies don't dare attempt: It surprises you. Unlike the broken-down VW bus in which the dysfunctional crew travels, "Sunshine" easily switches gears, sometimes in mere seconds, from heart-wrenching poignancy to outrageous humor. That always-swinging pendulum of emotions makes this a rich, memorable experience, one many will be eager to revisit again and again.

That's the primary reason to purchase "Little Miss Sunshine" on DVD. Not only does the movie hold up to multiple viewings, its intimate, character-study approach translates beautifully to at-home viewing. (The DVD, released in a single disc, includes both fullscreen and widescreen formats.) The release loses some luster, however, when it comes to the special features.

The mininal extras include four alternate endings ccompanied by commentary from directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, a feature-length commentary by Dayton and Faris and a second commentary track by the directors and screenwriter Michael Arndt. And that's pretty much it. While the features provide a solid sense of how much time and care went into the six years spent developing this movie, it's hard to escape the feeling that some notable elements are missing.

For example, Dayton and Faris talk extensively about the key role each actor played in the process, yet we don't hear a peep from any of the stars. After listening to the pair of commentaries, it's also clear that some significant footage was cut from the film. Yet the DVD comes with zero deleted scenes. Given that the film recently earned two Golden Globe nominations and will likely earn a nod or two at Oscar time, I have to wonder whether Fox is saving some of its goodies for a post-awards season re-release.

With that in mind, some cautious consumers may opt to postpone purchasing this DVD. But those who just want little Olive and her misfit family at home in time for the holidays will undoubtedly be pleased to let this version of "Sunshine" in.

Most Enlightening Bonus Point: If you have the time and some patience, the commentary tracks are worth a listen, particularly for film students eager to learn how much a movie can change from screenplay to the big screen. Interesting tidbits -- like the fact that the film's journey originally extended from Maryland to Florida instead of New Mexico to California -- abound amidst the filmmakers' affable, decidedly low-key chatter.

Also on DVD This Week: "Lady in the Water," "A Scanner Darkly" and more.

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