Definitely a guilty pleasure
Miss Congeniality
2000
Director: Donald Petrie
Starring: Sandra Bullock, Michael Caine, Benjamin Bratt, William Shatner, Candice Bergen
Modern day romantic comedies are bland. They are too formulaic, too weak, and far too often feature helpless females being rescued by their manly Prince Charmings. While not exactly a complete break from the mindless romcom factory of modern Hollywood, Miss Congeniality rises above its cohorts thanks to a winning performance by Sandra Bullock a healthy dose of legitimate comedy, and, ultimately, a surprisingly pro-female message.
Gracie Hart (Bullock) is an FBI agent looking for a break on the job. She’s the epitome of “one of the guys,” so naturally she is chosen to go undercover as a beauty queen to investigate a terrorist threat on the Miss United States pageant. Antics ensue: there’s the mandatory makeover montage, a bit of romance with her hot coworker (sexy Bratt), and the grand finale in the middle of the big pageant. Everything wraps up nicely - the bad guys are apprehended and Gracie learns to channel her inner girlie girl.
The story is no great shakes - pure Hollywood fantasy. Casting elevates the film beyond its initial mediocrity to something a bit more. Bullock brings her innate charm and comedic timing to the main character. Sophomoric as they may be, pratfalls are always funny, and when Gracie Hart falls flat on her face immediately after her Magic Movie Makeover, you can’t help but laugh. Candice Bergen, who for years played feminist icon Murphy Brown, plays cutthroat pageant director Cathy Morningside. She is the furthest from a pushover pageant princess you can imagine; frighteningly focused, viciously protective, and intent on protecting the pageant empire she has built for herself. Bergen is fantastic in her supporting role. Michael Caine as Victor Mellings, pageant trainer extraordinaire, makes the movie. Were it not for him, I highly doubt the film would be watchable. Caine is elegant and effeminate, and his frustration with Bullock’s manly deportment is hysterical.
The writing supplies some truly fantastic comedic moments. Watching Michael Caine sashay down the sidewalk as he screams, “It’s all in the buttocks! Don’t I look pretty!” is worth the price of admission alone. And in my opinion, one of the best comedic one-liners ever is Miss Rhode Island’s response to the pageant question, “How would you describe your perfect date?” She replies with a genuine, “April 25th. Because it’s not too hot, it’s not too cold, all you really need is a light jacket!” Guffaw. The topper of it all is the ridiculous finale, where the winner of the Miss United States pageant is crowned at the same time as the terrorist is caught. It’s so frenetic, so zany, and it’s a perfect example of modern day screwball comedy.
What makes Miss Congeniality a more refreshing romantic comedy is that it’s really light on the romance, and much heavier on the comedy. Yes, there’s a romance, but it is not the focus of the film, nor does it ever pretend to be. Thankfully, the film ends not with an embrace between the heroine and her man, but instead ends with Gracie surrounded by her new pageant friends. There’s something slightly inspirational about seeing a Hollywood romcom focus more on female relationships than it does on the main couple. That being said, the romance certainly feels tacked on and unnecessary. I rather wish they had done without it completely.
The central message of the film (ugly girl finding her inner pretty girl) is not exactly the most overtly feminist message ever committed to film, but I will say that I rather relate to it. As I’ve grown, I admit to dabbling more and more into high maintenance product doodads and whatzits, and taking more care with how I dress. However, the reason for this is not necessarily the care for my outward appearance, but more the inner confidence it has given to me. When I look good, I feel good, and I project that confidence outwardly. I like to think that this is what Gracie Hart goes through in Miss Congeniality. She’s still an FBI agent, but now she wears some mascara and blow dries her hair. She’s still more than capable, she’s just more in touch with her womanliness.
Miss Congeniality is hardly the most sophisticated or urbane comedy ever made, but it is legitimately funny, and the focus on the female relationships is nice to see. Yes, you don’t have too think too hard about it, but when you do feel like turning off your brain, it provides a very nice little diversion.