Miss Congeniality
3/4
Starring: Sandra Bullock, Michael Caine, Benjamin Bratt, Candice Bergen, William Shatner, Ernie Hudson
Rated PG-13 for Sexual References and A Scene of Violence
The reason why "Pygmalion" is so often used as a template for drama is because we respond to the desire to better ourselves, or in this case, people who need it. And no one is in more need of a makeover than FBI Agent Gracie Hart.
Gracie Hart (Bullock) is as tough as they come. She's got more testosterone than estrogen. She's rude, crude and packs a nasty right hook. Her temper flares with little provocation and cares little for manners or personal appearance. But a terrorist named The Citizen has targeted the Miss United States Pageant, and the only way to stop him is to make an undercover agent a contestant. And the only one available is Gracie. She doesn't want the job, but she's got no choice after getting into some hot water on her last assignment. It's going to take a miracle to make her credible...and to keep her from storming off.
Sandra Bullock is a shining star because she's so likable. She captures the viewer's attention like a magnet, and even in the silliest of movies, she's able to hold it. There's nothing serious about "Miss Congeniality," and Bullock is able to toss off a few biting one-liners. And yet, we come to care about her, something that rarely happens in even the best comedies. Michael Caine is terrific as Victor Mellings, her demanding "pageant consultant;" the scenes with him and Bullock are the highlights. Benjamin Bratt is also on hand as the leader of the investigation, and Gracie's romantic interest. William Shatner is affable as the host Stan Fields, and Candice Bergen turns up the nasty as the pageant director, Kathy Morningside.
The film successfully manages to shift gears from making fun of its subject then getting us to care about it. It's a task that few films are able to do. Kudos must go to the screenwriters: Marc Lawrence, Katie Ford and Caryn Lucas. Not only do they know they write plenty of humorous situations and one-liners, they know the ins and outs of pageant life (as far as I could tell).
Director Donald Petrie specializes in lightweight comedies. He was behind "Richie Rich," a childhood favorite of mine, the beloved (although not by me) "Grumpy Old Men," and "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days." His style is unobtrusive, and in this case, that's the right decision. He doesn't show off with flashy editing or camera tricks. He films the characters in the best possible light and times the jokes well. A comedy like this requires only a few specific things, and Petrie delivers.
Look, this isn't great art, but it's a lot of fun.
Starring: Sandra Bullock, Michael Caine, Benjamin Bratt, Candice Bergen, William Shatner, Ernie Hudson
Rated PG-13 for Sexual References and A Scene of Violence
The reason why "Pygmalion" is so often used as a template for drama is because we respond to the desire to better ourselves, or in this case, people who need it. And no one is in more need of a makeover than FBI Agent Gracie Hart.
Gracie Hart (Bullock) is as tough as they come. She's got more testosterone than estrogen. She's rude, crude and packs a nasty right hook. Her temper flares with little provocation and cares little for manners or personal appearance. But a terrorist named The Citizen has targeted the Miss United States Pageant, and the only way to stop him is to make an undercover agent a contestant. And the only one available is Gracie. She doesn't want the job, but she's got no choice after getting into some hot water on her last assignment. It's going to take a miracle to make her credible...and to keep her from storming off.
Sandra Bullock is a shining star because she's so likable. She captures the viewer's attention like a magnet, and even in the silliest of movies, she's able to hold it. There's nothing serious about "Miss Congeniality," and Bullock is able to toss off a few biting one-liners. And yet, we come to care about her, something that rarely happens in even the best comedies. Michael Caine is terrific as Victor Mellings, her demanding "pageant consultant;" the scenes with him and Bullock are the highlights. Benjamin Bratt is also on hand as the leader of the investigation, and Gracie's romantic interest. William Shatner is affable as the host Stan Fields, and Candice Bergen turns up the nasty as the pageant director, Kathy Morningside.
The film successfully manages to shift gears from making fun of its subject then getting us to care about it. It's a task that few films are able to do. Kudos must go to the screenwriters: Marc Lawrence, Katie Ford and Caryn Lucas. Not only do they know they write plenty of humorous situations and one-liners, they know the ins and outs of pageant life (as far as I could tell).
Director Donald Petrie specializes in lightweight comedies. He was behind "Richie Rich," a childhood favorite of mine, the beloved (although not by me) "Grumpy Old Men," and "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days." His style is unobtrusive, and in this case, that's the right decision. He doesn't show off with flashy editing or camera tricks. He films the characters in the best possible light and times the jokes well. A comedy like this requires only a few specific things, and Petrie delivers.
Look, this isn't great art, but it's a lot of fun.
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