ON FAITH & MEDIA | Little Miss Sunshine

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Little Miss Sunshine

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Source: Catholic News Service

Immensely likable film about an Albuquerque, N.M., couple -- gung-ho motivational speaker (Greg Kinnear) and his wife (Toni Collette) -- who, with their alienated son (Paul Dano), the wife's gay brother (Steve Carell) who's recovering from a suicide attempt, and the husband's crusty, drug-addicted father (Alan Arkin) in tow, trek to Los Angeles in a creaky van so their daughter (Abigail Breslin) can compete in a beauty pageant. Despite an unfortunately high quotient of expletives and some sexual references (mostly courtesy of the Arkin character), husband-and-wife team Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris have directed a refreshingly offbeat tale that, underneath the zaniness, comes over as an extremely positive validation of family and genuine values. Rough and occasionally profane words, sexual references, suicide element, a minor gay plot element, a sight gag involving adult magazines and brief drug use. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

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Theophilus of Corte: If we expect saints to do marvelous things continually and to leave us many memorable quotes, we are bound to be disappointed with St. Theophilus. The mystery of God's grace in a person's life, however, has a beauty all its own.
<p>Theophilus was born in Corsica of rich and noble parents. As a young man he entered the Franciscans and soon showed his love for solitude and prayer. After admirably completing his studies, he was ordained and assigned to a retreat house near Subiaco. Inspired by the austere life of the Franciscans there, he founded other such houses in Corsica and Tuscany. Over the years, he became famous for his preaching as well as his missionary efforts. </p><p>Though he was always somewhat sickly, Theophilus generously served the needs of God's people in the confessional, in the sickroom and at the graveside. Worn out by his labors, he died on June 17, 1740. He was canonized in 1930.</p>

God doesn't abandon people just because an accident happened. He doesn't abandon people who are the victims of poor judgment or of evildoers. He is always there. It's up to us to find him.

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