Miss Congeniality MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +3 Content: -2

The idea of a tough, female FBI agent entering a beauty contest has some real comedy possibilities. And Sandra Bullock makes it work like a charm as the agent in this hilarious, slapstick romp. When the Miss United States pageant to be held in San Antonio, Texas, receives a threatening letter from a dangerous, professional terrorist, the FBI enters Gracie Hart (Bullock) in the contest. As an uncover agent, Gracie will be there to identify the terrorist and protect the contestants. Gracie accepts under protest since she doesnt own a dress or high heels, and just wants to be one of the boys in her department. Beauty consultant Victor Melling (Michael Caine) gets the job of making a lady out of tomboy Gracie and finds it isnt easy. His struggle and the antics of Gracie as a contestant are good for lots of laughs. Gracies talent portion of the contest is a real riot. Gracies supervisor and friend, young Eric Matthews (Benjamin Bratt) stands by her through the ordeal and likes Gracies new beauty queen look. MISS CONGENIALITY wont win academy awards, but folks will crowd the theaters to join in Gracies fun and games.

While Sandra Bullock doesnt usually star in really offensive films, this PG-13 comedy has some objectionable language including strong profanity, as well as a number of comical sexual remarks and innuendoes. In one seemingly sacrilegious scene, Gracie blurts out Jesus Christ as a profanity, then comically prays for forgiveness. Although Eric, her new admirer, subtly suggests they could have sex sometime, its refreshing that they dont become sexually involved. Jokes refer to Victor being homosexual, but he denies it. Gracie is a brutal fighter and uses some rough language, but has a heart of gold. She even comes to respect and love the women in the beauty contest, risking her life to protect them. Men in her department laugh and joke about women in skimpy attire, and theres plenty of bare skin and cleavage shown when the women dress up in their gowns and swim suits. Like many films, MISS CONGENIALITY is a mixture of both commendable and undesirable elements, but loses with too many of the latter.

Preview Reviewer: John Evans
Distributor: Warner Brothers, 4000 Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA 91522