‘Miss Congeniality’: Pageant Contestants and FBI Share a Stage

In the business of Hollywood, the name that sticks out as one of the most versatile actresses – in her extensive career, is Sandra Bullock. Among my most favorite stars, she is one of them; this film being one of the big reasons why.  

Miss Congeniality (2000) Film Review

Ever since she was a freckled-faced little girl on the playground Gracie Hart has been one tough cookie. Instead of her grade school crush defending her from bullies, she stands up for him and is resented for it. Today, she is a special FBI agent who’s just “one of the guys.” Skilled at her job, it’s the following orders part that sometimes get her in trouble – and that is the situation Gracie (Bullock) finds herself in now. On a sting operation, she bungles an operation that sends a colleague to the hospital, which puts her on desk duty until further notice. The biggest case occupying the FBI’s time is one of threatening letters that speak in riddles but never leave a clue that authorities can pursue. Then Gracie works on the letters. She decodes the location, a beauty pageant. Now, all the FBI needs is to find a suitable female agent to go undercover. The database reveals only one candidate: Gracie Hart.  

Oblivious to social graces, Gracie feels she needs nothing but her wit, badge and gun, and a diet that most women wouldn’t touch. Along with her team leader, Eric Matthews (Benjamin Bratt), Gracie is put in touch with a pageant consultant, Victor Melling (Michael Caine) whose long history transforming contestants is well-documented but then he’s never come up against Gracie Hart.  

As is always true of anything Sandra Bullock stars in, this is a gem. True, it’s one I don’t watch often enough though it never ceases to bring a smile. Fabulous scripting leads into a great premise and the acting is, of course, brilliantly characterized. Every part of the movie is really fun.

Some of the situations writer’s place Gracie in makes it hard to take her seriously yet I sympathize with their dilemma of contrasting the transformation she undergoes – one that is obvious but doesn’t mess with the “heart” of her personality. Watching the physical makeover is amusing (in a laugh out loud kind of way) but it’s the inner workings of her character that makes us love her. Similarly, the bonding between Vic and Gracie is touching inspiring us hope his lessons will stick. Rounding out a fabulous cast is Heather Burns (in an adorable role!), William Shatner and Candice Bergen – it’s one that maintains great chemistry. 

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Just a few of the memorable scenes include the “fake-cry,” and the talent portion of Gracie’s competition or her attempts at being a girly-girl; and no one can forget the “perfect date” meme. The former scenes clearly demonstrate Bullock’s great capabilities as a physical actress, and the latter are fun just because of Gracie’s character being anything but feminine. Miss Congeniality has sass, humor and most of all, “hart.” It’s a piece of girl-power fluff that was as popular at its premiere as it is fondly thought of today.  

(This post does contain affiliate links, which means – at no extra cost to you, I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase through a link. Read the disclosure page for details.) You can purchase Miss Congeniality on Amazon Video.

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CONTENT: Profanity numbers into the dozen mark, including misuse of God’s name and some crude comments about anatomy. Sexual remarks involving the pageant contestants are made, including remarks about various body parts and references to casual sex [one girl is a virgin but later non-graphically recounts being assaulted]. Two characters are homosexual; one instance is subtle [we see him ogle other men] the other announces it to a crowd. While in surveillance vans, men ogle the women they are watching. Clothing is form-fitting with plunging necklines. Out for a night on the town, several girls get drunk. Violence is limited to a few threats and an explosion meant for a person. MPAA rating is PG13.