Customer Reviews

Little Miss Sunshine: The Shooting Script (Newmarket Shooting Script)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a delightful script. The shared goal of all the characters provides the reader with a warmth and investment in the characters individual journeys. It's so funny and touching. I also appreciated the scripts editing process that Arndt provides for us at the end of the screenplay. It is a valuable learning tool for those who are interested in writing screenplays.

Little Miss Sunshine is one of very few movies that literally left me with my mouth hanging open as I left the theater, exclaiming about how well written and produced it was. Then I attended a screenwritnig lecture by Michael Arndt, and later had the opportunity to attend a screening of the movie where he answered questions. Fascinating guy who really understands his craft.

The Shooting Script is a great read, and Michael lets us peak behind the script at sections that were changed in the actual shooting, and several times comments on how wise the directors were when they cut out scenes that are in the script. He also reveals places where ad libs added to the spontaneity of the finished product. The book is fun to read, not just because it's a great script, but because you'll learn about the craft of screenwriting.

Little Miss Sunshine is a story about dreams. Not about achieving them, but about failing at them.

Not only does each character have his or her own personal (seemingly unattainable) dream, the delightfully droll decrepit 1960's yellow VW Bus that carries them to the land of milk and honey (Ventura, California) is in itself a metaphor for the channel to attain one's highest ambitions.

The most captivating aspect of the story is that nearly all the characters (arguably all of them) do not achieve their dreams, but rather "crash and burn" as the saying goes. Consider "Olive" for example - the lead role played by Abigail Breslin (Signs, My Sister's Keeper). Olive dreams to win the national "Little Miss Sunshine" beauty contest. I take heed to reserve excessive commentary in respect for spoiling the ending, but the surprise finale is a perfect summation of the moral of the story: One does not always have to reach the ending point of the dream in order to learn something, or in order for that dream to have been a success and a value. It is often the road towards the goal that is more important than the goal itself.

Performance by Steve Carrel is praiseworthy, as always, and it is interesting to see the actor out of a humour role and plunged into what is quite a dark and morbid character.

Also of note is Paul Dano - somewhat of a burgeoning newbie who nonetheless delivers an impressive take on a modernist vow of silence.

I would definitely recommend reading this script, as well as viewing the movie multiple times, as the depth and innovation in storytelling deserve due consideration.

i was happy with the price and prompt services... except the wrapping. it was wrapped quite light and the plastic bubble wrap was torn when it arrived. so it damaged the script a little. it was a shame.

What sets this script above others published by Newmarket Press is not only the strength of the story (it won the Oscar for the best original screenplay in 2006), but the screen notes by its author, Michael Arndt. In his notes, Arndt explains why scome scenes were written the way they were, why some where shot differently than originally written, why some were omitted in the final cut. Aspiring screenwriters will find his notes informative as well those interested in the creative and collaborative process.

I purchased this book for one of my college classes. It is an excellent script. There is a lot of tasteful humor, yet very touching moments. One of the main concepts of the script - about family differences - will appeal to everyone. This isn't a story where people will go "that's absurd" or "these characters are really boring". To prove this, here is briefly what some of the major characters are like:
Richard - obsessed with winners and losers. Not very successful. An annoyance to the family at many times - and hilarious to the readers.
Olive - cute, young girl who has large aspirations. unconfident in herself.
Dwayne - determined, interesting. Often, he represents what the readers are thinking.
The grandfather is somewhat crazy with his habits, Sheryl is very preoccupied, and Frank is very depressed.
Most readers can identify with at least one of these characters.

When all of them clash, expect some strong language, many hysterical moments, and some sweet family conversations.

Also, the tips the writer includes are very informative and helpful. There is also a lot of explanation of how and why certain scenes were changed in the movie.
With an excellent format, and being easy to read (even with 6 main characters), this script is perfect for many film students.

This is a marvelous script by Michael Arndt. The story is small and it reaches so many. The characters are very well developed. It's just a joy to read such a great script!

I love the movie Little Miss Sunshine, and am an aspiring screenwriter and director, so I decided to buy the screenplay. I watched the movie, read the screenplay, and did both at the same time. The screenplay is slightly different than the movie because scenes got cut and actors changed the lines which is common, so it was a little difficult to follow which did not take away from the experience at all. He wrote notes on the scenes about the changes like why a scene was cut or a line added. The only reason I did not give it four stars is at the end of the screenplay is a list of nine steps on how to write a sundance hit. I took the Robert McKee Story seminar, and some of his suggestions contradicts Michael Arndt's which simply proves that different techniques work for different people. However, being the McKee purist that I am, I'm going to follow his suggestions as opposed to Michael's. Even though I don't necessarily recommend that you follow his steps, it is an interesting look into the process of the success of LMS and how it got from an idea to a screenplay to a film. Which is definitely a plus. All in all, I definitely recommend the screenplay to any fan of the movie even if just to read it. Oh! and the pictures are really cool too.

Entertaining and heartwarming. A nice, sweet movie with many important insights into human values of self-worth, self-esteem, and family solidarity.