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An All Right movie but not that good

After reading all the comments,which took me awhile since there was 208 to read, I thought I would add another comment. I didn't think this movie was to good. It did have some funny parts, like when the two sponsors are talking about the pagent by the swimming pool. I did like the girl who took the place of Kirsten Dunst when she tapped dance(no, that really wasn't her.
If you look on the credits it will tell you the girl who really did the tap dancing.) What I want to know is how did they make her look so much like her? I couldn't even tell it was somebody else tapping intil I saw the credits. Anyway, save your money. I don't think it really is worth the money.

This is review 119

Need I say more. I don't think so. But if you would like detailed info on the movie, do the search. Surfice to say, I am adding to my library. I don't know of another movie in the same genre that is as good. A dark comedy at its best.

Brilliantly Cynical work...

From its beginning in the sleepy Minnesotan town of St. Rose, Minn., Drop Dead Gorgeous is an utter hoot. Kirstie Alley and Denise Richards are luminous as the conniving, evil mother and daughter who are committed to winning the town's beauty pageant at all costs, even blowing up one of the contestants on their tractor!Kirsten Dunst is the perfect foil to the antagonists, and MadTV's Will Sasso makes a hilarious turn as the town "Retard." In leser taste, but still amusing is the Japanese-American family that has adopted a contestant to better assimilate into the native culture in spite of the protests by their own japanese daughter.Kirsten Dunst's trailer trash upbringing is another amusingspot, s all te characters seem to converge on a point of pure insanity toward the end.Look for Kirstie Alley's classic "Swan" Monologue at the end of the film, as well as the SWAT team ending!A zany film that got far less attention than it should have last summer, it is the superior faux-documentary. Blair Who?

Laugh-out loud funny.

A brilliant spoof-documentary about contestants (and their parents) getting ready for a beauty pageant in a tiny town, which somebody is trying to fix - by killing off the competition. Every character is larger than life, and all played beautifully.It could have been played outright for laughs, but there are some real gems in a fantastic script poking fun at men, women, beauty, the media and the public at large. It's rare to see an American film with such a sophisticated streak of comedy under the surface. Very highly recommended.

Looks can kill you

The world of the teen beauty pageants is at center stage in this satire that is set in Mount Rose, Minnesota, a town where Lutherans appear to be a majority. The 50th anniversary of Miss Teen Princess America attracts a lot of the young women in town. The message in the film appears to be that being beautiful can kill you, sometimes.Gladys Leeman, a former winner, is one of the organizers. Her own daughter, Becky, is competing. She is a prominent citizen of Mount Rose, with her own agenda. The competing girls come from different social backgrounds. One of the most talented ones is Amber, a girl that lives in a trailer park with her alcoholic mother.Mysterious things begin happening to different participants in the contest, the most serious one occurs to Annette Atkins, Amber's mother, whose trailer catches fire and her hand gets attached to the beer can she was drinking. Amber, who is clearly the most talented girl in the contest, loses to Becky, something one knew was coming from the start of the competition.There are funny moments in this film, which was directed by Michael Patrick Jann, and written by Lona Williams who seems to know a great deal about these beauty contests. Somehow, the film must have seem funnier to its creators. There are good moments like Becky's selection for the talent portion of the show. Also, the way most of the girls competing in the state portion of the competition get sick after eating sea food.Kirsten Dunst makes an appealing Amber, the nice girl from the wrong side of town. Kirstie Alley is the force behind the contest and the woman who dominates everything in Mount Rose. Ellen Barkin has some good moments as Annette, but what happens to her is not as funny as it must have looked to the creators of the film. Allison Janney is seen as Loretta, Annette's trailer park neighbor. Denise Richards adds her beauty to the film. Amy Adams, an uncommon talented actress, has a small part as Leslie, a girl that loves boys and ends up having quite a career!

Uneven

Denise Richards is hilarious as a ruthless teen beauty queen who resorts to all manner of tasteless homespun cheesiness (oh, and murder) in order to win her local beauty pageant. Kirsten Dunst is also great as her main rival. Bits of this movie are laugh-out-loud funny. But a lot of it is just dumb. It's mean-spirited in a pointless, unfunny way. Lots of dead teenagers, lots of retard jokes. If you're looking to beat the heat and can't think of anything to see, see this. If you're looking for a really good movie, look elsewhere.

Drop Dead, Gorgeous.

Funny in a brutish kind of way, with a little more polish, this film could have been every bit as good as, say, an Andrew Dice Clay stage performance.I agree with the previous commenter that this film is not worth a rental, however, if you do happen to catch it on TV, try to record it and see it twice. At first viewing there is little or no subtlety in the movie, but I happened to have recorded it off of prime time TV, which gave me the advantage of being able to play it back. Believe it or not, it actually has a bit more depth and character the second time you watch it. (The first time around the jokes seem to be driven in to you with a 300-pound baseball bat, but on second viewing you catch some of the double entendres and "facial-expressions-worth-a-thousand-words" you might have missed the first time.)Unlike many other commenters, who apparently don't like Denise Richards or her acting in the film, I like her probably the best. She does a great job of depicting the shallow, conniving beauty-queen-from-hell that we all love to hiss. Her "exit" from the picture, while not at all pretty, is perhaps nonetheless befitting to such a person. This also resulted in what, to me anyway, was the funniest line in the entire movie, "Maybe this is God's way of telling us to 'Buy American'."Kirsten Dunst is excellent in this film as well, and for those who want to see a "double shot" of Ms. Dunst in a similarly themed movie, then you should also watch the campy cheerleader flick "Bring it On" (2000), which IS worth a rental.My final thought: I suspect that if you watch this movie more than a few times, you will be able to meet your average beauty queen anywhere, anytime, look her squarely in the eyes and tell her with complete confidence, "Drop dead, gorgeous!"

Not What I expected!

I have to candid about the movie. It wasn't as good as I thought is would be. In the previews they said that it was a good movie and then I went and rented it and I thought that it could of been much better. I thought that the movie was actually pretty asinine. If people thought it was funny I'd have to say they were wrong. Its was a futile movie; I thought it was hopeless and without effect.

Teen Culture Mock-umentary

It's hard not to laugh when the exploits of the teenage life are mocked. As a former highschool student, I remember the cliques, the cheerleaders, smoking in the bathroom and most of all, the clothing. What makes DDG so funny is the fact that the characters hit so close to home, and you might even see a bit of yourself in them. Mount Rose might as well be your own hometown, and Miss Teen American Princess the crown they all coveted.

Good... but lacking in some ways

"Drop Dead Gorgeous" is a black comedy about what goes on behind the scenes of a small-town Minnesota beauty pageant. Somebody seems intent on sabotaging some of the contestants, and Amber (the film's protagonist and main character) hasn't escaped being a target- she's gotten a threatening note, a potential boyfriend has been killed in a hunting "accident", and a trailer explosion has gruesomely injured her mother (you'll have to see it to believe it). The question in this movie is not only who will win the pageant, but whether the various contestants will even survive the process.

While I found this movie original and entertaining, it didn't quite hit all its marks. The documentary format didn't always seem to work- the camerawork was always too polished, and long stretches of time would pass without any kind of interaction between the characters and the people "shooting" the documentary, making it a little surprising when a character would suddenly say something to the screen. I also would have liked to see more from the supporting characters- as charming as Dunst is, I didn't find her character particularly interesting enough to carry the majority of the movie. And what about the humor? It's very dark, and at times hilarious, but some things didn't work out. I'll admit it must be hard to generate laughs about things like eating disorders, brutal murders, and the mentally handicapped, so I at least give the producers credit for trying.

Despite its flaws, this movie is an adequate choice when you want something that doesn't take itself too seriously. At very least, the scenes involving the pageant's embarrassingly awful talent competition are good for some laughs.

A great satire

This movie is really, really funny. From the description of the movie, I didn't think I'd like it because it sounded like a trite storyline. However, the off-the-wall handling of the subject matter and the comedic ironies make this movie worth watching - again! The DVD version doesn't have any outtakes or deleted scenes, though, just the trailer.

I will buy this masterpiece on DVD

I could have sworn the Coen brothers meet Mr. Tarentino and came up with this brilliant film. I loved this film as a dark comedy about the world of competition, capitalism, and christianity. It is a hilarious warped approach to the perverted world of beauty pagents. The plot is simple enough, a 'survival of the fittest' predator trying to dominate through intimidation and dirty tricks, succumbs to good and wholesome virtue, and general good character.In reality the far right will get their panties in a bunch by this film since their spokesmodel loses. The general good nature of the K. Dunst's character prevails overall.

An incredibly well-made film...with a stellar cast...

This is probably the first, and last, time you'll ever hear the words "stellar cast" to describe a feature film starring Kristie Alley. There. Now that I got the Kristie Alley cheap shot out of the way, I can accurately review this film.Without a doubt, the best kept secret of 1999. It came out with little hype, and to my recollection, made little noise at the box office. Still, the film is witty, post-modern, truthful, and full of satire. The director takes you behind the scenes of Nowhere, USA beauty pageants, and the jealousy contained therein. One of the most beautiful and unique aspects of the film is that it's shot documentary style. We are given the "honest" opinion of the director, and what he sees. And what he sees very well may be the truth...magnified to the tenth degree.Kristen Dunst is wonderfully cast as the sweet innocent girl (like most other Dunst roles) who comes from a poor family, and aspires to be the greatest of all beauty queens. On the other end of the spectrum, we have Denise Richards thrown in as a wealthy snob who feels threatened by the innocent girl, and along with her mom (Kristie Alley) tries to off her any way she can. I couldn't think of two Hollywood sex bombs better suited to play these opposites. Throw in Ellen Barkin as Dunst's mom (who gets a beer can fused to her hand after a nasty explosion) and it makes up the incredible core cast for the film.Something about this movie just draws me to it. Could be anything from the colourful sets, to the music by Mark Mothersbaugh (from DEVO!), or the creative mock-u-mentary style. But in all honesty, it's the casting. Everyone played superior roles, and special mention should be given to Mike McShane and Will Sasso, who played the large father and son team of Harold and Hank Vilmes. Incredibly hilarious stuff. See this film to discover a fairly well kept secret of Hollywood.

Broad parody with often hit target

I saw the movie last night on television. These days, beauty pageants seem to be the most frequent target of parodists - yet I haven't seen one as insightful and funny as "Smile" thirty years ago. This one has its moments - merely having the now very fat Kristie Alley as the ex-beauty queen provided some (perhaps uninentional) humor.This is awfully broad - e.g., if you think dozens of beauty queens vomiting from balconies in a hotel atrium, or the continuing grossness of a fat mentally retarded man, are terribly funny, this movie may be for you. I just thought these scenes stupid and waited for them to end.The superiority of the Guest/McKean mockumentaries is obvious - Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show and This is Spinal Tap are all far funnier.Barkin, Dunst and Janney are good as mother, daughter and mother's best friend. The others are unmemorable.

This is the funniest movie.....ever!

I love this movie! I've seen it 5 times and am not sick of it yet. This story is much more than a beauty pageant. It shows the lives of each "contestant" and what happens after the pageant. It has many plot twists and a suprise ending. And it is extremely funny! This movie has it all-murder, humor, and not-so-everyday-life events. Be SURE to see this movie~

"If they ask you to take your top off, get the money first."

I pull out "Drop Dead Gorgeous" every once-in-awhile for an honest laugh. The movie is a "fake" documentary about contestants in a beauty pageant, some of whom meet unhealthy fates - hence the double meaning of the title.

Kirsten Dunst plays "Amber Atkins", and Denise Richards plays "Rebecca Ann Leeman", the two main contestants. Amber is kind of a natural inexperienced contestant and lives in a trailer park, while Rebecca has that fake professional sincerity so important to contests and lives in a big colonial house. She is also vice-president of the local Lutheran Sisters gun club, and was given a "nine mil" by her mom on her thirteenth birthday. Their mothers are played by Ellen Barkin as "Annette Atkins" and Kirsty Alley as "Gladys Leeman". Annette is a former contestant, and Gladys is a past pageant winner and is also the chairman of the pageant organizing committee, but swears impartiality. Amber is competing because her two favorite people in the world - her mom, and news-personality Diane Sawyer - competed in them. She practices her talent (tap-dancing) while at work - at a mortuary doing hair and makeup on the deceased. She wants to be a "big-time reporter" like Diane Sawyer.

Brittany Murphy is a giggly contestant "Lisa Swenson". She is in it because "if you're seventeen, and not a total fry, it's just what you do." She is hilarious, especially when she shows pictures of her brother who is dressed as Liza Minelli, Madonna, And Barbra Streisand. "Tess" is another contestant, but very plain looking. Unfortunately, her former pet dog bit her, but as she says (and shows)..."they remade my belly with skin from my [back]." Another contestant, "Molly", was adopted by a Japanese couple after they came to America. They have a Japanese daughter as well, but they yell at her speak English. The previous winner, Mary Johanson, is now in the hospital suffering from an anorexia. Amber comes by the hosptal weekly to "do" Mary's hair (which is falling out). Rebecca also drops by the hospital (to be on camera), and brings her a box of chocolates.

Judge #1, "John Dough", gets a little nervous when asked about judging the young girls. "I don't get off on that kind of thing. That's really why you're askin', right? Someone say somethin'?" Judge #2, "Harold Vilmes", runs a paint and hardware store, and has a rather slow-witted brother, Hank, who approaches the camera and excitedly asks "Are we on Cops, are we on Cops?". Judge #3 is a straight-laced woman, Jean Kangas, who works at the Leeman furniture store.

Amber is asked out by the captain of the football team, Brett, and is excited, but then she thinks she'll probably have to work at the funeral home - "we're real busy this time of year...hunting season." Brett goes duck-hunting, and indeed, Amber will eventually do his hair and makeup, too.

Amber gets a photo of the first killed girl, "Tammy", with "you're next" printed on the back. Later, there is an explosion and fire at her trailer. Although her mother survives the blast, she ends up with a beercan fused into her hand. "Well, I sat down to have a beer, and 'kablooey', next thing I know, somethin' blows through my kitchen window, and I'm ass-up in somebody's flower bed." Amber wants to quit the pageant but her mother talks her into continuing - "You're not the one who knows how Jiffy Pop feels, missy."

At the pre-contest interview, all the other constestants are asked simple questions ("what kind of a tree would you be?") except Amber, who is asked to name and spell all 50 states in alphabetical order. At the dress-rehearsal, another contestant wants to switch numbers with Amber. Tragically, an overhead stage light falls on the contestant as she is performing her interpretive dance with sign language - a light meant for Amber?


I won't spoil the rest of it.

It takes place in Minnesota. A few Minnesotans (and others) have complained that the accents are a bit much. However, in my job I talk to people all over America, and every single person I've spoken to in Minnesota has that accent, you betcha.


Amber and Annette's neighbor, "Loretta", is played by Allison Janney. She has a small role but funny dialog. Adam West (original "Batman") has a small role as the pageant host, and pokes a little fun at himself.


Some politically incorrect phrases such as "Jew", "cripple", "Japs" and "retard", pop up, so if you are sensitive, you unfortunately should watch something else.

The PG-13 rated DVD has the full-screen and wide-screen version, cast and crew text, a trailer, and DVD-ROM script-to-screen. Not many funnier movies out there. And cheap, too.

Brilliant Satire

I dragged my friends to the theatre when this movie premiered. I don't think many of them understood it, although they laughed at some of the obvious gags. I loved it and watched it over and over again when it aired on the movie channels. That's when my family started watching it too, and also loved it. Finally, they sent it to me for Christmas this year. It's satire, which is not a terribly popular form of humor, unfortunately. Thus this movie isn't for everyone. A lot of people will think this movie is playing political incorrectness for laughs a la There's Something About Mary. It is, but it does it so much better. If you liked Dick, Wag the Dog, or Election, this movie is along the same lines and one of my all-time favorites.

Drop dead hilarious...

In light of watching the disaster that was `Chalk' I decided to rewatch one of my all time favorite mockumentary's; `Drop Dead Gorgeous'. Now this is a film that got the whole `mocking' thing right, creating a hilarious exaggerated look at the world of beauty pageants. `Drop Dead Gorgeous' is a comedy that gets everything right, from the script (tight and hilarious) to the acting this film is a laugh-riot.

The movie revolves around a small town of Mount Rose Minnesota where the annual Sarah Rose Cosmetics Teen America Beauty Pageant is being held. A film crew is sent to cover the event and thus captures all the backstabbing, the malicious threats and the conniving on camera for the world to see. We are introduced to a few key characters, the most important of which is young Amber Atkins. Amber idolizes Diane Sawyer and dreams of leaving her small town in the dust. This beauty pageant may be her ticket. She's talented, sweet and charming, but she has some stiff competition; namely Becky Leeman. Becky is a spoiled brat who gets whatever she wants and wants everything. Her mother, Gladys Leeman, is just as spoiled and lives only for her daughter so it's only right that she stop at nothing to assure her daughter the victory.

The performances by the cast is just delicious comedic entertainment, especially of the leads. Kirsten Dunst continues to prove she has what it takes in this business, turning out one brilliant performance after another (how is it that she does not have an Oscar nomination yet?) and Denise Richards proves she's more than a hard body by developing her shallow character magnificently. It may not seem difficult to play someone that void of heart and soul but to pull it off and make it seem natural and not forced is difficult. The real standouts though are the two actresses who play the mothers, Ellen Barkin and Kirstie Alley. Barkin plays Annette Atkins, the beer loving trailer park living mother of young Amber. Annette only wants a bright future for her daughter, a future she never had and is adamant that she reach her goals. Kirstie plays Gladys, Becky's mother, and does so with such inferior magnetism that I give her best-in-show props for this performance. It is just so effortlessly hilarious, captivating and mesmerizing to watch. She nails this performance.

`Drop Dead Gorgeous' also boasts some nice performances by some up-and-coming actresses at the time. The magical Amy Adams (who gets double points for admitting to punching Dunst in the face on the set) may not have a huge role here, but as the spunky and ever popular Leslie Miller she proves that she can handle herself well in front of the camera. Here's to her landing a second Oscar nod next week. Brittany Murphy may be a household name now (although her career has kind of dwindled) but in 1999 she was not, and her turn as Lisa was definitely an eye catcher. The biggest breakout though was Allison Janney, you know, the spunky step-mom from `Juno'. In `Drop Dead Gorgeous' she plays the Atkins' trashy yet kind-hearted neighbor Loretta and steals every scene she's in. Pure comedic perfection.

From the hi-jinx between contestants to the absurd panel of judges (and of course there is the `tard with no pants) `Drop Dead Gorgeous' delivers the funny. It may be over the top and off the wall but it's still funny, there is no denying that.

A funny comedy that was awfully overlooked

This movie was truly funny! Listening to all the actresses attempting to do a Midwestern accent is so hilarious. Thought most jokes centered around women, especially rather skanky Leslie and her amazingly energetic boyfriend, not to mention the pervert judge who claims he doesn't like young women, it still was funny to watch. I was glad to see that Amber fianlly got her dream, because she deserved it. And Becky got what she wanted, to be crowned queen. This is a great one to watch with the girlfriends if you're not out looking for a 'meaningful' movie!

they sure did drop dead

This was a movie that not really hade because of the story. But more of the things around it. Thats why i rated a 8. The jury in the movie that are rating the girls are the most fun. That´s what made the movie very easy too watch the whole time true. a great one