Visual Communication - Little Miss Sunshine

The use of visual communication is explored in depth throughout the course of the film “Little Miss Sunshine”, where the central theme of the film is based on the connotation of “winners and losers”. The opening scene uses a montage of characters of a dysfunctional family to introduce and portray each character’s personalities and perceptions in life. The first of these is of a young girl, Olive Hoover, where the extreme close-up of her face overwhelmed with large glasses, reflects scenes of a beauty pageant through the use of camera cutting. Here the concept of winners and losers is touched upon as Olive watches the winning scene repetitively, mimicking the actions. The implication of winning is then further elaborated with the voice-over of Richard Hoover, Olive’s father, promoting his ‘Refuse to Lose Plan’, where the use of a low angle shot suggests that he is a superior and authoritative figure. Ironically enough, the camera pans to his audience, which is none other than a classroom of children, diminishing his position of power instantly. As the opening montage continues, it reveals the other key characters: An unconventional drug-using Grandpa, Dwayne’s training and commitment to enter flight school and Cheryl’s distress concerning her family’s welfare. The montage closes with a close-up of Frank’s face showing a blank expression as he battles depression after a suicide attempt. Juxtaposition is used in the conclusion as the title “Little Miss Sunshine” is superimposed on a close up of his face.

The film is shot in various scenes including the family home and the Kombi van both in confined spaces to emphasise the tension that exists within the Hoover family. During a tense dinner, Cheryl brings Frank home, where each family member’s philosophies cause contrasting clashes as they juxtapose one another. Curious, Olive wants to know what happened to Uncle Frank’s wrists. Again the connotation of ‘winners and losers’ is pressed upon when Richard says, “Uncle...