Benjamin Bratt, Candice Bergen, Christopher Shea

It's a good thing Sandra Bullock knows her strengths and weaknesses, because without Bullock as star and producer, Miss Congeniality would be an insufferable mess as opposed to being a mildly e...( read more  read more... )njoyable trifle that is custom-made for Bullock's established screen persona. Only Bullock's fans could really appreciate this fluff (even then they'll wish its ripe premise had been more intelligently handled), but it's not without some highlights to accompany Bullock's reliable charms. Here she plays clumsy, nerdy FBI agent Gracie Hart, who is given the horrific pseudonym Gracie Lou Freebush (one example of the movie's juvenile tendencies) when assigned to infiltrate a beauty pageant to investigate threats of a terrorist attack.

Transforming Bullock from frumpy to stunning is a piece of cake (although she gives pageant coach Michael Caine a run for his money), so the movie's premise is trivial at best. More enjoyable is her character's uncouth disdain for pageant contestants and her mistaken perception that they're all a bunch of bimbos. The movie nicely charts Gracie's realization that her own pageant makeover provides a much-needed ego boost. In addition to Caine's effortless scene-stealing, pageant host William Shatner and organizer Candice Bergen are smart choices for comedic support (Shatner's a perfect Bert Parks wannabe), but the movie desperately needs a credible foundation for its comedy to really pay off. Bullock's bureau boss (Benjamin Bratt) is an unconvincing dimwit, and none of the plotting is as smart as say Beverly Hills Cop in combining procedure with laughs. That leaves Bullock to carry the burden of a comedy that just barely works in her favor. --Jeff Shannon

Flixster Users

71% liked it

908,882 ratings

Critics

40% liked it

112 critics

PG-13

Directed by: Donald Petrie

Release Date: December 22, 2000

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DVD Release Date: June 1, 2004

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Stats: 34,983 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (34,983)


  • October 31, 2007
    Sandra Bullock is funny as well as tough as nails.
  • September 22, 2009
    Who would have thought Sandra Bullock was so beautiful without her hair up and in glasses. Well I?ll be damned!
  • July 1, 2009
    Good idea and characters, goofy and cheesy but it is an enjoyable movie.
  • March 29, 2009
    Sandra Bullock does her best J.Lo. in a role I can only hope that the latter turned down: it might have been all that made this movie watchable. Fun for a rainy afternoon with complementary work by Candice Bergen and Michael Caine (not to mention the King Ham, William Shatner), b...( read more)ut formulaic and a little vacuous all in all.
  • September 20, 2008
    Miss Congeniality, starring Sandra Bullock, Michael Caine, Benjamin Bratt, and Candice Bergen is a funny movie.

    Sandra Bullock plays a detective whom is undercover at a beauty pageant. She is rogh around the edges and that is being nice. It is a funny movie and a good rental.
  • November 21, 2009
    Sandra Bullock as Beauty Queen. great movie
  • November 19, 2009
    First movie i watch at cinema.
    n i luv it..
  • November 16, 2009
    OMG!! this movie is so awesome! whoeva hasnt seen it needs 2!
  • November 14, 2009
    Kako mi je super ovaj film ova opako muskobanjasta cura postane predivna zena zahvaljujuci timu koji se brine o tome 5 +!!!!
  • November 13, 2009
    I really wanted to absolutely hate this, but alas it was very funny in places. Sandra Bullock is a very good actress indeed.

Critic Reviews


May 4, 2005
Nick Schager, Lessons of Darkness

Predictably cute and idiotically misleading. full review

June 4, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Unless you think it's a riot to watch Bullock fall over herself repeatedly in high heels, this Miss is a mess. full review

December 22, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

It isn't bad so much as it lacks any ambition to be more than it so obviously is. full review

December 22, 2000
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

Seems happily, deliberately second-rate, as if its ideal audience consisted of weary airline passengers. full review

View more Miss Congeniality reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • angeleyes8428
    September 13, 2009
    this really was a good movie so many twists & turns are in it I really fell in love with this when I saw it!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • Th3CBTcLiiCk4LyF3
    September 22, 2007
    sandra bullock is a great actress i luved her in the movie Premonition that was kinda scary at first but when i saw it many times it got better but i luv both of da miss congenality movies
  • soapjunkie1
    May 23, 2007
    very good film
  • gilmoregirl22
    May 23, 2007
    dang I want this profile!
  • sapismith
    September 20, 2006
    funny movie
  • bilal29051997
    September 13, 2006
    bilal_29.05.1997@hotmail.com

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Miss Congeniality : Watch Free on TV


Miss Congeniality Trivia


  • This actress is Practically Magic. Her career has defiantly not Crashed and burned. She is simply Miss Congeniality. Who is she?   Answer »
  • What does Sandra Bullock hide from Michael Caine in the movie 'Miss Congeniality'?  Answer »
  • In which film does Sandra Bullock play Gracie Hart?  Answer »
  • What state does Miss Congeniality represents in the contest?   Answer »

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