Sort By: By Genre  |  By Rating  |  By Year

Miss Congeniality

Starring: Sandra Bullock
Director: Donald Petrie
Genre: Comedy
Year: 2000
Rating: 2 / 5

Ever since Sandra Bullock burst into the national consciousness in Speed, I have been trying to identify her most natural environs. Somewhat out-of-place in dramas, ruined for future action films (courtesy of Speed 2), Bullock seems to have been thrust into the role of comedic leading lady. As much as I like the actress, though, I cannot acknowledge that this is her calling. Miss Congeniality proves once again that, while remarkably likeable, Sandra Bullock goes not have the comic skills necessary to carry a big budget laugher. (Certainly not with straight-laced Benjamin Bratt as her trusty sidekick!) This fact is all too clear in Donald Petrie's ultimately unfulfilling tale of an FBI agent undercover at a beauty pageant.

Gracie Hart (Bullock) has never found herself to be the object of male affection, in large part due to her tomboy roots. When she joined the FBI, she was soon assimilated as "one of the guys," getting the job done without ever stirring the libidos of her primarily male colleagues. When a serial killer is suspected of targeting the forthcoming Miss United States pageant, the Bureau needs to find a female agent to infiltrate the pageant and foil the killer's plans. Needless to say, Gracie is the last person on everyone's list, including her own, yet, with no other viable options, Gracie is drafted for job. The work she does not mind - dressing up in swimsuit, however…

In a film such as this, where the lead is not well-known for her comic gifts, it is imperative that there exists a strong supporting cast. While this film does sport a respectable roster of name actors - Michael Caine, William Shatner, and Candice Bergen, to name a few - they are not allowed the freedom to create. Shatner, often known for overblown parodies of his own persona, is surprisingly restrained as longtime master of ceremonies Stan Fields. Bergen, despite a successful career as sitcom star Murphy Brown, is dull and drab as former pageant winner Kathy Morningside. Only Michael Caine, as flamboyant pageant guru Victor Melling, shows any true promise.

Despite these criticisms, Miss Congeniality is still an enjoyable film. It might not be a memorable one, but it is by no means uncomfortable, and the leads are mostly likeable characters. Bullock does have a certain charm to her, which, unfortunately, does not make her any more humorous. Michael Caine adds a level of class to the film, not to mention most of the few funny scenes, but in the end, even he cannot push the film above the merely average. Miss Congeniality, preaching about the beauty within us all, inevitably forgets to show us its own inner strengths.

Cast:

Certification: Rated PG-13 for violence.
Running Time: 109 minutes.

Additional Info: Internet Movie Database
Comments: Send E-mail