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A Congenially Good Time!

Sandra Bullock shines as FBI agent, Gracie Hart, a clumsy Jersey girl whose penchant for standing up to bullies dates back to when she was a kid on the playground(Mary Ashleigh Green).
We are introduced to the adult Gracie as she botches an undercover operation at a Russian restaurant, much to the dismay of her partner, Eric Matthews (Benjamin Bratt), and facing a subsequent reprimand from her boss, FBI Assistant Director, Harry McDonald (Ernie Hudson).
Despite Hart's cock-up, Agent Matthews is selected to put together his own team to work on a case that takes them to the Miss United States Pageant in San Antonio, Texas, where they must quell a situation of potential domestic terrorism.
They meet with Pageant Director, Kathy Mornigside (a cooly refined yet comically sinister Candace Bergen) and her co-host Stan Fields(William Shatner), who turn Gracie, who will go undercover as Miss New Jersey, over to pageant consultant Victor Melling(a sophisticated and sarcastic Michael Caine), who reluctantly grooms the unrefined Hart for her new role within the few days he has to complete the task.
Under Victor's guidance, Gracie comes out looking like a contestant, but she still stumbles periodically.
Arriving for the orientation luncheon, she is quickly befriended by Miss Rhode Island, Cheryl Frasier(Heather Burns), as well as Miss Texas Mary Jo Wright (Deirdre Quinn), Miss New York, Karen Krantz (Melissa De Sousa), Miss California, Leslie Davis( Wendy Raquel Robinson), and Miss Hawaii, Alana Krewson(Asia De Marcos), while struggling to keep her cover.
We follow the agents through the welcoming banquets, rehearsals, Gracie's antagonistic coaching sessions with Victor, friendly encounters with Cheryl and the aforementioned contestants as Gracie helps boost Cheryl's occasionally waning self esteem, aggravation from Kathy's assistant Frank Tobin(Steve Monroe), mysterious threats from Kathy, nights out on the town with the girls, the improvisation of Gracie's talent performance(much to Eric's physical detriment), and misleading evidence before all is resolved, and despite nearly blowing her cover,we see Hart's gut instincts vindicated.
But in just that brief time, we see Gracie Hart grow as a person, gaining a few grateful friends along the way.
Viewers are in for a light and lively good time when watching this modern Cinderella story, and they'll find themselves cheering for the underdog, and for World Peace.

critics... dont believe them

this was a sweet and funny movie. if u havent seen it see it. its way worth it. im not giving away the surprise twist though.

Sandra Rocks!!!

I would say this is one of my favorite movie!! I can watch it over and over again and laugh each and every time!! Her timing is fantastic and she looks great with Benjamin Bratt. Michael Cain is so funny it kills me each time I watch it. I hope they do a part two for this one.. I would go see it on opening day!

very funny, some plausibility problems (CONTAINS SPOILERS)

I give this one 8 out of 10, because it's a good original story, and made me laugh a lot. Just a few minor problems: I think they should have made it more plausible for Gracie to get into the top 10.
Recall that they were going to fix the pageant, but the fix was canceled when the other agents left, so she had to get into the top 10 on her merits, and did so, even though up to that point in the pageant she had made a total ass of herself. After she made the top 10 her behavior improved greatly, and it was almost believable for her to be #2, but they could have made her improve sooner to make it more plausible.BTW, people describe this as an ugly-duckling-becomes-a-swan story, but I didn't see that happen. Gracie does learn to walk like a woman, but her personality remains essentially the same.

One of the greatest comedies ever made!

This movie is perfect, and I mean that in every sense of the word. Miss Congeniality is one of the movies that made Sandra Bullock what she is today, and with good reason- She's great! Yes, this is truly one of Ms. Bullock's finest moments. She is spot-on as a "dirty Harriet" of sorts; She's an FBI agent who is assigned to go undercover as a contestant in the Miss United States Pageant. Hilarity ensues. Not only does Ms. Bullock pull off the physical comedy wonderfully, she makes a real character out of a role that could have been very one-dimensional. She lets us actually get to know the character, which only makes the movie that much better. Truly, Ms. Bullock gives one of the greatest comedic performances of all time.And then there's the supporting cast! The supporting cast!!! They are all superb. One of the best casts put together in years. Candice Bergen and William Shatner create one of the greatest comedic tag teams of all time. Then there's Michael Caine. He is the other star of the show. He steals almost all the scenes he's in. What a great actor! Really, this is my example of a perfect comedy, and that's why I give it a 10. The cast is brilliant, the script hilarious. From huge moments to sly quips, Miss Congeniality rules! 10/10 stars! Jay Addison

Delight with Sandra Bullock

I enjoy all type of movies, but when it's about comedy, my mind turns instantly to this movie. I've lost count of how many times I've watched this light movie. I'm sure I know almost all the dialogues and yet I still find myself laughing once and again at the hilarious scenes presented in Miss Congeniality.

Sandy Bullock manages to play at first, the most un-female character, FBI agent Grace Hart, who is adequately named by Victor Melling (Sir Michael Caine) as "Dirty Harriet", nothing more accurate. But its thanks to non other than Caine, that Bullock transforms into Gracie Lou Freebush, Miss New Jersey and candidate to win Miss USA pageant.

This movies purpose is no other than to entertain and give the audience a good time. I'm pretty sure it fullfills it undoubtedly. Sandy Bullock is funny without even trying and no other actress could have pulled out this movie the way she did it. Quite delightful indeed.

Miss Congeniality

One of a group of fine movies starring Sandra Bullock.....she was great along with Michael Caine and Benjamin Bratt....well worth viewing.....with Michael Caine and Benjamin Bratt not being in the sequel, it took the chemistry out of it....and did not come up to the excellence of the original plot....the chemistry between these stars was missing, also William Shatner and Candace Bergen were exceptional in the comedy....

Sandra Bullock Rocks in MISS CONGENIALITY

Sandra Bullock Rocks in MISS CONGENIALITY. This is a funny movie that will have you rolling on the floor laughing. Sandra playes a cop who happens to get suspended aftter making a mistake that costs one of her fellow cops to get hurt after she tries to play hero. After her fellow cops cant seem to find any other women cop to go under cover in the Miss USA pageant they call upon our funny lady Sandra. Sandra's Co-star Bejamin Bratt also brings this comedy to life. There are some funny moments and I would rather you watch it than me give it away. At first I had no desire to watch this movie simply because im not much in to comedies, but I love Sandra Bullock and feel she is one of the most original, and funniest women in Hollywood so I gave this movie a rent on DVD..... To my surprise this was a Great Movie that was just awesome to get away from real life for a while. I have since bought this movie and want to say you should Buy this movie if your a Sandra Bullock fan, or if you just love a great funny movie!

Best Movie

This is one of the best movies of all time. It had every thing humour charms and a wonderful cast. Sandra Bullock was excellent she made the movie seem more realistec she acted so well

This one's good fun!

Sandra Bullock plays a tomboy FBI agent who is somewhat lacking in social graces. When an undercover officer is needed to investigate potential mayhem at a beauty pageant, she is chosen. Michael Caine, as a beauty pageant coach, is charged with the job of converting her to a believable contestant. He coaches her speech, and her walk and employs a team of beauty experts to complete the conversion. During the pageant, she slips into her old persona just often enough to be funny. Candace Bergen is a former beauty queen who currently runs the pageant and is angry because her bosses are threatening to fire her. When you want a chuckle, rent this one.

Lotsa fun, good satire/parody. 'Stakeout' anyone?

For some reason that is the flick that this one brought to mind the most. I enjoyed it highly, it's lightweight, no one takes this seriously, the baddies you can spot a mile away, Shatner and Caine chew the scenery almost as shamelessly as Candice and Sandra, etc. What's not to like?Minor spoilers below!!I am not so sure that the baddies would have kept going w/ their plotting w/out batting an eye knowing full well that the FBI was there in the pagaent all the while(major plothole you can drive a Mack Truck thru)-but beyond that...well who cares?I enjoyed it, it's her last big hit so far-Sandra Bullock needs to make more like it.*** outta ****

A very pleasent surprize

I went into this movie with rather low expectations and it was very good...well written and acted...I like and recommend you buying it. I gave it 4 stars because I save the 5th one for movies that I think will be classics...I dont think this is the same a Blazing Saddles or Pink Panther for longevity but is a definite must see

Har-har! (snort) WHOOPS (splat)

Pratfalls and snorty laughter, Sandra (Austin's Sweetheart) Bullock's stock-in-trade, were never put on better display than in this film. "Miss Congeniality" is a little whispy and predictable, and while generally enjoyable enough never reaches the heights of zaniness it might have aspired to. Without Sandy, it would be a dull and cheerless thing indeed, despite workmanlike performances by Candace Bergen, Michael Caine, and the old hamasaurus himself, William Shatner. Fortunately, the irrepressible Miss Bullock's considerable comedic talents raise the script beyond itself. But the true gem in the DVD version is the alternate audio track with running commentary from Bullock and one of the screenwriters -- this is very entertaining and revealing and is frequently much funnier than the movie itself. Add an extra half-star to the DVD version for this feature alone.


Sidebar Note: my wife and I worked for two miserable days as "background actors" (extras) on this movie, which was largely shot in Austin in the spring of 2000. You will not see us, alas! The dance club scenes have been cut to almost non-existence. (How unlike my stint as a military reenactor in "Two for Texas," in which my coonskin cap stole the show!) Another brush with Oscar denied. How cruel this business is! Sob!

(Ha-ha! snort-snort!)

It's a cute movie

It's funny and charming...even though you kinda know what gonna happen it's still enjoyable.

Hey, I really liked this movie

I'm so sick of critics critizing the smallest things("The third line was awful!"). Critics do their job- critic = one who criticizes, not compliments. So instead, I'm gonna give you an overview of the movie- which actually was fairly good. So it isn't a monumental, inspirational piece. It is fluff... but darn good fluff!! It is amusing, and the characters are very well cast. I'm NOT a big Sandra Bullock fan-in truth, I'd never seen one of her movies before this. Since then, I've realized (through this movie, among some others I've seen since) that she is a good actress, and can make any part her own. She does that with this movie- she can play both the frumpy FBI agent and the beauty queen. I'd never seen Benjamin Bratt before, and I was actually fairly pleasantly surprised. He was able to play his role as a tough guy with compassion- kind of an oxymoron. But he pulls it off. I've enjoyed Michael caine in other movies but I have never seen him as a comedic actor. Instead of liking his dramas better, I think his comedic acting is of equal quality, if not better. The script Is a little farfetched, but hey- comedies need to be farfetched to be pulled off. Think about it- if you made a non-farfetched comedy, like say, your life, would that be funny? maybe parts are funny, but Comedy does not come often enough in reality, so you need to... provoke it by creating a script that is out there so jokes can play off of it. This honestly is an amusing movie that I would recommend for anyone who is not so depressed that they actually can enjoy a frivolous piece every once in awhile, instead of just serious, influential pieces.

A Fun Romp - Lighthearted and Clever

Slapstick and Fun, Sandra Bullock takes us on a fun romp between the land of beauty pageants and law enforcement. The movie alternatively bashes the beauty contestants as well as the "work in lieu of a life career type" - an absolutely fun, family sort of entertainment that should only be approached by someone wanting a fun and lighthearted escape.

Too predictible, but a few laughs. May-be woth renting.

Sandra Bullock all but saved this movie from being a total flop. The movie was too predicable, the ugly duckling story has been done one too many times and this movie didn't add anything to it. It did have a few laughs, not many, but a few. It's a popcorn movie that in my opinion isn't worth seeing in the theater, but I saw it for free so I won't complain. It might be worth renting when it comes to video. No doubt a lot of people will love this movie, but I just didn't.By the Way, William Shatner is the man. And the reason he is the man, is he knows that he is the man, and he's notafraid to tell anyone. Shatner did a great job in this movie. He has great comedic timing. Pete's Movie Rating (out of 10): 5

Pageant Fans Will Love this One!

Every pageant mom, contestant or groupie needs to see this movie! Very realistic and hilarious! From the "this is not a beauty pageant but a scholarship program" and more. The girls were portrayed like airheads though - and that is not realistic, however, this is too funny to pass up. Some beautiful gowns by Claires Collections of California. Anybody who has been involved in the Miss America system will think this is a riot. Michael Caine is the epitome of the typical southern pageant coach! Sandra Bullock outdoes herself. - Five + Stars!!

Really enjoyable

I don't know why I waited so long to watch this movie. It's a very entertaining comedy. This movie had me cracking up and I defiently would watch it again. It would even be OK for the whole family to watch. Seeing how it's hard to rent any movies that the whole family ranging from young to old can watch at one time. New ones are getting harder and harder to find.

Miss Congeniality

Miss Congeniality is a comedy starring Sandra Bullock and Michael Caine. Although I am not a big fan of either of the actors, this movie seemed to work and provide laughs.

Sandra Bullock plays a nerdy, but strong and athletic FBI agent. She is picked to go undercover at a beauty pagaent for some FBI mission. The plot is not terrific, but it's a comedy.

There are however, some pretty funny jokes that go along with the whole beauty pagaent, such as the talent part and the dressing up to go on stage and everything. I think that the movie was a success because it did not go too far with the FBI thing, because a lack of plot would have screwed it over.

Basically, I've heard funnier jokes, so the movie only gets a four from me. It would be a good choice if you have seen all of the biggest comedies, and want a comedy, of course