Confession: I am not a girly girl. Never have been. Dresses only happen for me if they are 100% necessary or very special occasions, like when I got married or when my friends get married. I would rather challenge you to a wrestling match than put on makeup. That makes Miss Congeniality the perfect rom-com for me around Valentine’s Day, or any time that I need a good laugh. Have you seen this classic? Check out the trailer for Miss Congeniality and read a few things that I love about this film.
Relatable Leading Lady
Sandra Bullock’s Gracie Hart is one of the best “everywoman” characters in any rom-com. I love her tomboyish exterior and how she never backs down when she knows she’s right. She’s not afraid to go toe-to-toe with anyone, be it her male co-workers, her boss, or the bad guys. Gracie is also kind, caring, and even a little insecure. These characteristics did much to endear Gracie’s character to me. In a lot of ways, I felt like I was watching myself. (Did I mention that I was in a beauty pageant for a charity fundraiser in undergrad? I thought a lot about Miss Congeniality then). Aside from Love & Basketball, I’ve not found another romantic leading lady that I could relate to more. If you enjoy a leading lady with a different flavor than your stereotypical rom-com, you’ll enjoy Miss Congeniality.
Fantastic Supporting Cast
I’ve figured out that I’ll happily watch just about anything with Sandra Bullock in it. However, Miss Congeniality has a really fun supporting cast as well. As a Star Trek fan, I totally geeked out to see William Shatner as the emcee of the Miss United States pageant, Stan Fields. Candice Bergen (Murphy Brown, Book Club) as pageant runner, Kathy Morningside, is fantastic and hilarious. Ghostbuster Ernie Hudson plays Gracie’s boss, Harry McDonald, and Benjamin Bratt (Coco, Modern Family) is the perfect love interest to Bullock’s Gracie Hart as Eric Matthews. I would be remiss if I failed to mention Michael Caine as the pageant miracle worker, Victor Melling. A solid supporting cast is the backbone of a great movie. If you enjoy any of these actors, you should definitely add Miss Congeniality to your watchlist.
Hysterical Dialogue
There are a few movie quotes that get regular rotation in my own parlance. A few of them are from Miss Congeniality. The “perfect date” line gets annual usage, not to mention that it also marks the birthday of one of my best friends. The “You think I’m gorgeous…” speech gets repeated to my husband every time I get dressed up, or just for fun, whenever I look like a hot mess. William Shatner’s recitation of the Miss United States theme echoes of his (in)famous performance of Elton John’s “Rocket Man” at the 1978 Science Fiction Film Awards and does not cease to make me laugh. Great dialogue makes a film last for me. If you enjoy witty dialogue, Miss Congeniality is the film for you.
Need a break from run-of-the-mill rom-coms? Miss Congeniality is the film for you.
Miss Congeniality is available for rent now from your local video store or your favorite digital rental service.