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Imagine being such a powerful and inspiring figure that your words motivate someone to write a film. Well, Arnold Schwarzenegger is one. The man responsible for revamping the action genre and making danger look cool inspired a writer to write Steve Carell’s famous film,Little Miss Sunshine.The tragicomedy was released almost two decades ago but remains one of the best works of the actor.
Written by Michael Arndt,Little Miss Sunshinewas inspired by a speech made by the former Governor of California – the one, the only, Arnold Schwarzenegger. As he talked about losers and despising the lot, the words struck a chord with the writer and he decided to channel it all into a script. However, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s speech didn’t have the effect the Governator thought it would.
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Speech InspiredLittle Miss Sunshine
Steve Carell’sLittle Miss Sunshine(2006) was a story about a family road trip, except the family was made up of a bunch of so-called losers. From a gay scholar who attempted suicide to a foul-mouthed patriarch, the Hoovers sure are an interesting bunch.
When the aspiring beauty queen of the family, Olive (Abigail Breslin), learns that she has been qualified for the Little Miss Sunshine beauty pageant, the family takes an 800-mile road trip in the signature yellow Volkswagen van to Redondo Beach, California.
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So, how exactly didArnold Schwarzeneggerinspire Michael Arndt to write this beautiful script? Well, one day, Arndt read about a speech given by the Governor to a bunch of high schoolers.
Schwarzenegger’s words were,“If there’s one thing in this world I hate, it’s losers. I despise them.”And thus, Arndt was inspired. He got his pen and paper out and began writing the script of a film that would go on to do wonders during the Award season.
Little Miss Sunshinewas nominated for four Oscars, out of which it won 2, one of them being the Best Original Screenplay trophy for Arndt.
How Michael Arndt Twisted the Speech into his Film
After Arndt read Schwarzenegger’s words, he was immediately repulsed by the thought process. The thought of saying that to high-schoolers did not sit right with the writer who thoroughly believes that life is not black and white.
Talking about the major themes present in his script, Arndtgave a speechcalling out such a harmful mindset.
He stated that calling someone, anyone, a loser is absolutely demeaning and something that he won’t stand for. While standing behind the podium, he stated,
And I thought there’s something so wrong with that attitude. Like, there’s something so, like, demeaning and insulting about referring to any other person as a loser and I wanted to attack that idea that in life you’re either going up or you’re going down. It’s all about, you know, status and impressing other people.
That’s where the beauty pageant part of the film comes in. Arndt calls it a meaningless competition. He said,“So to a degree, a child beauty pageant is the epitome of the ultimate stupid meaningless competition people put themselves through.”
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In the film, when the Hoovers reach the venue, they realize that the other contestants are all the textbook definition of pageant girls and they try to talk the amateur Olive out of participating. However, when her mother gives her the green light to just be herself, Olive struts to the stage and performs.
While her “dance” horrifies the audience who asks her to step down, the Hoovers jump on stage and join their little girl in a show of solidarity. And that’s how a bunch of so-called “losers” proudly show off their true selves to the world.
You can rent/buyLittle Miss Sunshineon Prime Video.
Mishkaat Khan
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2257
A connoisseur of all things horror, fantasy, and the occasional chick flick, Mishkaat has been penning pieces for FandomWire since 2022. She started off as an intern and has worked her way up to a Senior Writer with over 2000 articles to her name.Outside of entertainment, she has also written well-researched medical content as a freelance writer and has experience in social media management.When not writing, you can find her relaxing with a romance novel and a tall glass of iced coffee in her hand or watching re-runs of ‘Supernatural’ and ‘The Office.’
