Well what a surprising little gem this is. I wasn't too sure what to expect from it, knowing only that it was Coppola's debut and that it had a rather ambiguous title, but I was completely blown away by it. The haunting music, the nostalgic montages and truly fantastic performances combine to create an extremely evocative snapshot of the trials and tribulations of teenage life. The frequent references to the time it is harking back to are also very strong, allowing the viewer to be fully submerged into the era. Kirsten Dunst is indeed a revelation, somehow managing to be sexually precocious, childishly innocent and standard stroppy teenager all at the same time. (The record-burning scene was remarkably convincing). At the end I felt rather unsure what its overall message had been, and it is perhaps slightly lacking in substance, but with a mood as powerful as this, substance seems like an irrelevance.
Reviews
3 Reviews
Why spoil a good thing?
8 August 2005
Warning: Spoilers
I consider it one of the greatest tragedies in the history of the rom-com that this film was made. I unashamedly adore the first film, finding it funny, moving and endearing. So why would Sandra Bullock and Marc Lawrence want to systematically destroy everything that made the film memorable and enjoyable? For me, Miss Congeniality's strongest points were the great lovableness (is that a word?) of Gracie's character and the subtle sexual tension between Gracie and Matthews that simmers quietly throughout the film. But within the first 20 minutes of 'Armed and Fabulous' the relationship is no more, and Gracie has become a shrill and shallow version of her former self, showing little evidence of the classic Sandra Bullock charm. While I appreciate that these two events are supposed to be closely linked, and Gracie's appalling behaviour is apparently a direct result of being dumped, this is just not portrayed convincingly. While the idea that Gracie is a vulnerable and cynical character is effectively floated in the first film, the probability of her promptly losing all her feistiness and sense of self as a result of a fledgling relationship failing is 0.
The film has it's occasional saving grace in the odd funny line, but this without the magic ingredient of Sandra Bullock's charm is not enough to save it from its abysmal plot line.
The film has it's occasional saving grace in the odd funny line, but this without the magic ingredient of Sandra Bullock's charm is not enough to save it from its abysmal plot line.
Miss Congeniality
(2000)
A Romcom winner
17 April 2004
From my first viewing, I loved this film. It has everything- an engaging (if not particularly convincing) storyline, great laughs, brilliant on screen chemistry between the leads, and most of all, a 100% lovable main character. Sandra Bullock works her magic yet again, and would have made this film a winner even without her strong supporting cast of Michael Caine, Benjamin Bratt and Candice Bergen. It has some particularly clever quips- I loved `i haven't seen a walk like that since Jurassic Park!', and it should appeal to a wide variety of ages. It held my attention throughout- always a good quality in a film! And OK, its not particularly thought provoking or realistic, but for what it is- an entertaining romcom- it's brilliant! 10/10
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