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Movies / On DVD / Miss Congeniality
Miss Congeniality

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Miss Congeniality (2000)

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Reviews Counted:112

Fresh:45

Rotten:67

Average Rating:5/10

Consensus: Though critics say Bullock is funny and charming, she can't overcome a bad script that makes the movie feel too much like a fluffy, unoriginal sitcom.

Runtime: 1 hr 49 mins

Genre: Comedies

Synopsis: The Miss United States Pageant, hallowed and revered home of American beauty for the past fifty years, has received a threat from one of the country's most infamous criminals, the "Citizen." The... The Miss United States Pageant, hallowed and revered home of American beauty for the past fifty years, has received a threat from one of the country's most infamous criminals, the "Citizen." The F.B.I. has been tracking this psychopath forever as his rampage of bombings, shootings and arson terrorizes the nation. This may finally be their chance to nab him.

The plan? Simple. Get one of their agents into the pageant, undercover, as a contestant. Fix the judging so she's on stage right to the end, in the "top five." Equip her with a state of the art surveillance equipment. Finding that agent? Not so simple.

A computer search of all available female agents turns out a decidedly unphotogenic group, except for Special Agent Gracie Hart (SANDRA BULLOCK). She looks terrific on the computer in a bathing suit; she might even fool everyone in an evening gown, especially if she puts a brush to her hair. But Gracie doesn't own a brush. Or a dress. Or high heels. Or as her fellow agent and head of the undercover operation, Eric Matthews (BENJAMIN BRATT) puts it; she's a "car wreck." And Gracie has no desire to join the ranks of what she refers to as a "bunch of bikini stuffers who only want world peace."

Which is why the Bureau hires beauty pageant consultant Victor Melling (MICHAEL CAINE) to transform Gracie -- or as he re-names her, "Dirty Harriet" into Gracie Lou Freebush -- the perfect pageant contestant. Henry Higgins had a day at the beach compared to what Vic is up against in beautifying a woman "without a detectable smidgen of estrogen." But the fate of the pageant hangs in the balance, and considering that Gracie's refusal to follow orders has already placed her job in jeopardy, this may be her last chance to make it in her beloved Bureau. [More]

Starring: Sandra Bullock, Candice Bergen, Michael Caine, William Shatner

Starring: Sandra Bullock, Candice Bergen, Michael Caine, William Shatner, Benjamin Bratt, Ernie Hudson, Heather Burns, Steve Monroe, John DiResta, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Deirdre Quinn

Director: Donald Petrie

Director: Donald Petrie
Screenwriter: Marc Lawrence, Caryn Lucas, Katie Ford
Producer: Sandra Bullock
Composer: Edward Shearmur
Studio: Warner Bros.

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Reviews for Miss Congeniality

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101 - 112 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

Tapping inner reservoirs of comedic talent that even her fans probably weren't aware of, Bullock hits every joke out of the park.

Full Review Source: Internet Reviews | comment Comment
12/18/00
Steve Rhodes
Steve Rhodes
Internet Reviews

Bullock proves adept at tackling a more physical brand of comedy than she has attempted in the past.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Reporter | comment Comment
12/18/00
Michael Rechtshaffen
Michael Rechtshaffen
Hollywood Reporter
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

This is minor stuff more suited to an up-and-comer than an established marquee headliner.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
12/18/00
Robert Koehler
Robert Koehler
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

This film is a mess -- it can't make up its mind whether it wants to be a drama, a comedy, or an action movie.

Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
12/18/00
James Berardinelli
James Berardinelli
ReelViews

[An] amiable but thoroughly uninspired piece of fluff.

Full Review Source: One Guy's Opinion | comment Comment
12/18/00
Frank Swietek
Frank Swietek
One Guy's Opinion

It's an average film, packing some good Grace-Harty laughs while others gags fall off the mark.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Report Card | comment Comment
12/18/00
Ross Anthony
Ross Anthony
Hollywood Report Card

It's a paint-by-numbers film that runs too long considering its lack of content.

Full Review Source: Planet Sick-Boy | comment Comment
12/18/00
Jon Popick
Jon Popick
Planet Sick-Boy

Bullock's performance and a couple of new twists on the classic formula make it a pleasant and entertaining effort.

Full Review Source: Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies | comment Comment
12/18/00
Nell Minow
Nell Minow
Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies

The film is completely derivative.

Full Review Source: Reeling Reviews | comment Comment
12/18/00
Laura Clifford
Laura Clifford
Reeling Reviews

There could have been a better film in there.

Full Review Source: Reeling Reviews | comment Comment
12/18/00
Robin Clifford
Robin Clifford
Reeling Reviews

If you take this movie on its light, fluffy, cutesy, poopsy level, you will more than likely enjoy it as much as I did.

Full Review Source: JoBlo's Movie Emporium | comment Comment
12/18/00
JoBlo
JoBlo
JoBlo's Movie Emporium

Sandra Bullock still has that winning smile but little else. Someone should give this misguided star/producer some sound career advice.

Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews | comment Comment
01/01/00
Susan Granger
Susan Granger
rec.arts.movies.reviews
 
 
101 - 112 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6
all

Latest News for Miss Congeniality

July 18, 2005: In Other News: Marital Edition...Jude Law, Sandra Bullock, and Frankie Muniz
In Other News is back, with marital highs and lows alike to keep you gossip-mongers happy...starting with "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow" star Jude Law, whose... More...

June 16, 2005: In Other News...Sandra Bullock, Kirsten Dunst, and Brangelina
"Crash" star Sandra Bullock is speeding along the way to wedded bliss -- US Weekly reports she has set a date with boyfriend Jesse James to marry next month. More...

March 26, 2005: Box Office: “Guess Who” Topped The Box Office?
Two comedies battled for box office supremacy this Easter weekend and the interracial romantic comedy “Guess Who,” starring Ashton Kutcher and Bernie Mac, handily defeated “Miss... More...

March 24, 2005: Critical Consensus: "Miss Congeniality" Armed, But Unfabulous
It’s been a while since Sandra Bullock’s last appearance on the big screen – 2002’s romantic comedy hit, “Two Weeks Notice,” co-starring Hugh Grant. She returns with “Miss... More...

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