Sandra Bullock is and has always been a very watchable actress. By that I mean that she's beautiful enough that men find her attractive and yet has that easygoing, girl next door demeanor that women don't feel threatened by. This makes her a very bankable actress.
The latest effort by Bullock is called "Miss Congeniality". Yes, it's burdened with a formula plot that we've seen in countless films before, yet it is still the one thing all films must be, entertaining. It will never be confused with an Oscar nominee (which is a good thing, because those films are mostly boring and pander to the "artsy-fartsy" crowd.) There are also touches of the classic fable "the Ugly Duckling" in the story that help the film to rise above it's well worn plot.
Bullock's character "Grace" is similar to her "The Net" character and is becoming something of a cliche for her. Benjamin Bratt is the none too bright partner/team boss she's stuck with on her undercover assignment. The big FBI boss, as is the stereotype for films like this, seems to be there just to yell a lot and be the butt of some inane jokes. A thankless job for any actor. Candace Bergen and William Shatner as the pageant masters of ceremony are both cast somewhat against type with successful results. Michael Caine is very good as the effeminate contestant controller/agent. I don't know what else to call his job. He makes sure the contestant knows all the right things to say, how to walk correctly, etc.
The story itself is about a terrorist threat against a beauty pageant. Klutzy agent Grace is stuck going undercover at the pageant as a contestant to try and catch the perpetrators. If you watch closely you can see some of the spirit of Lucille Ball in Bullock's performance.
As i've said the film is mostly formulaic but it ends with one of the best punchline scenes in recent film history. The one thing everyone who's ever watched a beauty pageant has always wanted to see. A catfight over the crown, on stage in front of all the cameras, the studio audience, and the millions watching on their tv screens back home. It's roll on the floor funny and is the main reason this film is able to rise above it's petty beginnings and stock characters.
All in all, an enjoyable film with a few really good chuckles.
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