Little Miss Sunshine: The American Dream

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American Sunshine
The American dream has been redefined through its eras and critiqued by many. While some choose to focus on the capitalist undertones that divide the United States, others have examined how the liberty that defines the American dream can support individualism which can lead to true happiness. UK director Andrea Arnold’s 2016 critique American Honey, and Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris’ 2006 comedy Little Miss Sunshine are both windows through which the audience is exposed to the American dream, and the subsequent values and attitudes of those who adhere to it. Little Miss Sunshine follows the story of a dysfunctional family’s road trip to California for a beauty pageant, while American Honey is driven by Star, who joins …show more content…

Olive’s dream of being the Little Miss Sunshine pageant is the entire reason the family went on any sort of journey at all. In addition, her grandfather supports her not only through his involvement in her routine, but through his affirmation that Olive is beautiful despite her nonconformity to typical beauty standards. Over the course of the film, Dwayne subscribes to the same level of nonconformity and applies it to the rest of the world: “You know what? Fuck beauty contests. Life is one fucking beauty contest after another. School, then college, then work... Fuck that. And fuck the Air Force Academy. If I want to fly, I'll find a way to fly. You do what you love, and fuck the rest.” The idea of achieving dreams in ones own way is echoed here because the American dream encompasses the freedom to commit fully to what one loves. The full support of individuality and expression is exemplified during Olive’s pageant performance as her family joins her dance onstage while the audience watches on in shock and horror. It’s a moment of hilarity and discomfort as the entire family embraces each other and their freedom, disregarding the former ideology of winners and

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