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Review Archive
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    		•

    FILMS

    Miss Congeniality (2000)
  • Starring Sandra Bullock, Michael Caine, Benjamin Bratt, Candice Bergen, Ernie Hudson, William Shatner

  • Directed by Donald Petrie

    • Miss Congeniality is a gimmick movie. It's the consummate "fish out of water" story. And it surprised the hell out of me by being both funny and, oddly enough, genuinely sincere. I'm not saying that it's going to make audiences break a rib from hysteria or use a box of Kleenex to wipe away the tears or move you so deeply as to make you change your personal philosophies, but it's has a bit of heart. Moreso than I ever thought it could.

    This is the type of movie that, when you first see the trailer, you roll your eyes, groan, and lean-over to your movie-going companions whispering, "We'll probably wait for the rental."

    Which isn't a bad idea. For some, it's probably not worth paying full-price admission at the theater but, if you think you might find this sort of film funny, it's definitely worth owning on DVD as it's incredibly re-watchable. Miss Congeniality is a no-brainer movie to pop in while you're making dinner, or when you have an hour to kill. Or when there's just nothing else on TV and you want to watch a movie that isn't heavy and dependant upon you doing any work.

    I was never a big fan of Sandra Bullock. People rant and rave over her and I used to shrug it off as nonsense. I never thought of her as a beauty or a sex symbol or a terribly great actress. Capable, but nothing to write home about. This film, however, greatly changed my view of Bullock. In Miss Congeniality she's incredibly beautiful (after the makeover) and more than proves herself as a comedic actress. Her timing is accurate and, well, it's always funny to watch someone fall down. Especially a hot chick in a tight dress.

    The film is about a tom-boyish FBI agent (Bullock) who goes undercover—using the name Gracie Lou Freebush from Miss New Jersey—as a beauty pageant (ahem, excuse me, "scholarship program") contestant in order to track down a mad bomber.

    Riiight.

    Does it matter that the concept is ridiculous? Of course not! It's a silly movie and they make no bones about hiding this fact—graciously letting the audience in on the joke of its incredulity.

    As with many films, the supporting actors are the best. Michael Caine plays "Mr. Vic," the man who has to turn the awkward and unkempt Gracie into the beautiful Ms. New Jersey. He's gay and graceful, and it's a stitch watching him try and teach Gracie how to walk like a lady, elegantly gliding down the sidewalk saying things like, "Watch my ass." Caine adds class and absurdity to a film that is lacking the former and over-flowing with the latter.

    And then there's William Shatner. Ah, yes. Shatner. Capt. James T. Kirk pretty much plays himself, but only if he were a beauty pageant announcer and not, er, whatever he is these days. If any of the rumors are true as to his sexual exploits (mostly from the '60s and '70s) then the good captain probably was in heaven during principal photography. Shatner isn't in the film very much, but when he is, I'm laughing. Because ... because ...well, it's Shatner for God's sakes! His delivery is borderline self-deprecating—a parody and mockery of itself.

    I highly recommend the outtakes on the DVD. I don't think they're labeled as such—if I recall correctly, they're imbedded in a "Making of" documentary. I laughed my ass off at the one where Benjamin Bratt is wrestling with Bullock and he asks if they can take a break, as she just squished his balls.

    It must be tough to be an actor.