Miss Congeniality (film)

Miss Congeniality

Company type	Film
Industry	Film industry
Founded	2000
Founder	Donald Petrie (director), Marc Lawrence, Katie Ford, Caryn Lucas (screenwriters)
Products	Action comedy film
Parent	Warner Bros. Pictures (distributor)

Miss Congeniality is a 2000 American action comedy film helmed by director Donald Petrie, with a screenplay penned by Marc Lawrence, Katie Ford, and Caryn Lucas. The movie stars Sandra Bullock as Gracie Hart, a distinctive FBI agent who infiltrates the Miss United States pageant as a contestant to thwart a terrorist threat. The cast also includes notable performances from Michael Caine, Benjamin Bratt, Candice Bergen, William Shatner, and Ernie Hudson.

Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures on December 22, 2000, the film achieved global box office earnings of $212 million against a production budget of $45 million. Bullock received a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical for her role. The film's popularity paved the way for the sequel Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous, released in 2005.

Plot

In 1982, a young Gracie Hart intervenes in a schoolyard fight, establishing her assertive nature early on. Now 28, she serves as an adept but unpolished FBI agent. Following a failed sting operation that results in her demotion, Gracie is tasked with going undercover as a contestant in the upcoming Miss United States pageant after threats emerge from a domestic terrorist known as "the Citizen."

Her partner, Eric Matthews, initially claims credit for her strategies but depends heavily on her skills. When no other agent can successfully penetrate the pageant, Gracie takes on the alias "Gracie Lou Freebush," representing New Jersey. With assistance from beauty coach Victor Melling, she embraces traditional pageant customs and rapidly rises to become a leading competitor.

Gracie probes into individuals connected to the threat, including pageant director Kathy Morningside and her associates. Despite uncovering suspicious links, skepticism arises when "the Citizen" is apprehended on unrelated charges and the official investigation concludes. Eric defies directives to continue probing after discovering new information concerning Kathy’s son Frank.

During the final event, Gracie finishes as first runner-up while Cheryl Frasier claims the title. She realizes that the bomb threat was a deception involving the crown itself. In a critical moment, Gracie stops the explosion by discarding the tiara just before it detonates, revealing Kathy and Frank’s revenge scheme against the pageant organization.

After their capture, Eric invites Gracie on a date, sparking a romantic connection. At the farewell breakfast, Cheryl presents Gracie with the "Miss Congeniality" award, symbolizing her personal growth and newfound appreciation for the essence of pageantry.

Development

Ellen DeGeneres mentioned that one of the writers drew inspiration from her experience learning to walk in heels and wearing a dress while co-hosting the Emmys. Although she hosted solo nearly a year after this film’s release, she had previously co-hosted the 1994 ceremony alongside Patricia Richardson.

Casting

The role of Eric Matthews was contested by eight actors during auditions, including Hugh Jackman. Matt Dillon was also considered for the part; however, it was ultimately awarded to Benjamin Bratt.

Filming

The narrative unfolds across New York City and San Antonio. Exterior scenes featuring the St. Regis New York and urban street views were captured on-site in New York and Weehawken, New Jersey. Sequences at the Alamo and along the River Walk were filmed on location in San Antonio. The majority of production took place in Austin, Texas: interior shots of the St. Regis were recreated inside Austin's Driskill Hotel; scenes involving the pageant occurred at the Bass Concert Hall within the University of Texas at Austin; and hotel room scenes were filmed at the Omni Austin at South Park.

Distribution

Miss Congeniality was released worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, while distribution in Australia and New Zealand was managed by Roadshow Entertainment.

Box office

Debuting as the fifth top-grossing film in North America with an opening weekend of US$13.9 million, its revenue rose by 5% the subsequent week, elevating it to third place. The movie earned over $106 million domestically and exceeded $212 million globally, establishing it as a financial success.

Critical response

The film holds a 41% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 116 critic reviews, summarized as: "Bullock delivers humor and charm but cannot compensate for a weak script resembling a light sitcom." On Metacritic, it received a score of 43/100 from 20 critiques, indicating "mixed or average reviews." Audience feedback via CinemaScore rated it an "A−."

A. O. Scott of The New York Times described it as "a typical fish-out-of-water comedy" that appeals to casual audiences. Meanwhile, Roger Ebert acknowledged its lack of ambition but commended Sandra Bullock's portrayal.

The film garnered multiple nominations, including two Golden Globes: Sandra Bullock for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical, and Bosson's "One in a Million" for Best Original Song.

Home media

The initial DVD release in 2001 included two separate commentary tracks, deleted scenes, the official trailer, and two behind-the-scenes documentaries. In 2005, a deluxe edition DVD was introduced featuring updated cover art, a quiz hosted by William Shatner, and a preview of the sequel. A 2009 double feature edition combined this film with its sequel, Miss Congeniality 2.

Sequel

Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous premiered on March 24, 2005, with returning stars such as Sandra Bullock, alongside Regina King, William Shatner, and others. The follow-up failed to match the original’s critical or commercial success, earning $101.3 million at the box office. Notably, the song "Miss United States" was composed by Clyde Lawrence—son of writer Marc Lawrence—when he was just six years old.

Soundtrack

1. "One in a Million" - Bosson (3:30)
2. "If Everybody Looked the Same" - Groove Armada (3:40)
3. "She's a Lady (The BT Remix)" - Tom Jones (4:21)
4. "Anywhere USA" - P.Y.T. (4:06)
5. "Dancing Queen" - A-Teens (3:50)
6. "Let's Get It On" - Red Venom (3:26)
7. "Get Ya Party On" - Baha Men (3:20)
8. "None of Your Business" - Salt 'N' Pepa (3:34)
9. "Mustang Sally" - The Commitments (4:59)
10. "Bullets" - Bob Schneider (4:25)
11. "Liquored Up and Lacquered Down" - Southern Culture on the Skids (2:26)
12. "Miss United States (Berman Brothers Mix)" - William Shatner (3:38)
13. "One in a Million (Bostrom Mix)" - Bosson (3:33)