"Little Miss Sunshine," the tale of a functioning family made up of dysfunctional individuals continued its surprising run by earning four Oscar nominations. The selections included Michael Arndt for Best Original Screenplay, Alan Arkin as Best Supporting Actor, Abigail Breslin for Best Supporting Actress and the icing on the cake, a nomination for Best Picture.

Breslin plays the young lady who earns a spot in the Miss Sunshine Pageant. The story follows the family on the lengthy trip to California so that Olive (Breslin) may compete in the pageant.

Arkin plays a drug snorting grandfather who's language is everything a child should not hear. The family includes Dwayne who has taken a vow of silence and Frank, part of the group's extended family, who has moved in after attempting suicide.

Along the way to California Grampa dies, the family ends up pushing the vehicle to get it started after every stop when the clutch fails to function in the VW van, and Dad learns his potential book deal has failed to come to pass. The final scene where Breslin does a quasi-striptease as her talent act at the festival is topped only by the family stealing Grampa's body from the hospital so as not to be late for the contest.

"Sunshine" was the surprise winner of the Producers Guild of America's top award, topping other Oscar nominees "Babel","The Departed," and "The Queen."