Miss Congeniality ***½ (2000, Sandra Bullock, Michael Caine, Benjamin Bratt, Candice Bergen) – Classic Movie Review 510

Sandra Bullock sparkles in director Donald Petrie’s 2000 congenial comedy in an ideal role as tough and scruffy FBI agent Gracie Hart. She’s forced by the FBI to go undercover and take part in the Miss United States beauty pageant to prevent a mad terrorist from bombing the event.

Candice Bergen and William Shatner add to the fun as pageant managers who call beauty contest guru Michael Caine in to give Sandra a total makeover. And, hey pesto, the tomboyish FBI agent becomes the demurely sexy Gracie Lou Freebush, aka Miss New Jersey.

This funny, light-hearted comedy was back then Sandra’s biggest movie for ages, because she effortlessly oozes sassy charm and raises a lot of nice, easy-going sitcom-style laughs. In support, Caine is amusing while Marc Lawrence, Katie Ford and Caryn Lucas’s screenplay is full of jolly gags.

The beauty pageant satire is perhaps somewhat obvious, and some of the acting is way over the top. But everyone goes to it all with such relish that it’s all quite a lot of daft fun. It would have been even better with more sharpness and wit built in to the mix. But this crafty film’s aiming at congeniality – and there’s no miss on that target.

Sequel: Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous in 2005.

http://derekwinnert.com/miss-congeniality-2-armed-and-fabulous-classic-film-review-580/

© Derek Winnert 2013 Classic Movie Review 510

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com/