I never really like Sandra Bullock. I enjoyed her acting in ’’Speed’’ and ’’Demolition Man’’ but a film with her in the lead I would usually avoid if I could but I ended up watching this movie and found it really watch able.
FBI special agent Gracie Hart (SANDRA BULLOCK) is a clumsy tomboy unfamiliar with the concept of female grooming. She much prefers kickboxing, talking with her mouth full, and snorting when she laughs. Bullock is truly good in these early scenes. She has got that glint in her eye of someone who really does not care how they look to the rest of the world. She doesn’t really care about her looks or manners. A terrorist known only as the ’’Citizen’’ has made a threat against the Miss United States pageant, and Gracie is the only female agent who at least halfway fits the bill as contestant material, who is assigned to go undercover.
With approval from FBI Supervisor McDonald (ERNIE HUDSON), Gracie, agent Eric Matthews (BENJAMIN BRATT), and their team head for San Antonio to meet Stan Fields (WILLIAM SHATNER) head of the pageant. To arrange that not only must they allow Gracie to enter the contest as the representative from New Jersey, but she must also be assured of making it to the final round so as to have access to all pageant areas.
Realizing that Gracie couldn’t currently pass as a contestant, the veteran pageant consultant, Victor Melling (MICHAEL CAINE), is called in to transform Gracie into a beautiful and elegant contestant.
Barely knowing what to do and facing self-doubts that she can pull it off, Gracie begins the pageant, with Eric and his team providing backup. With Victor’s continued support, Gracie gets to know the other contestants while looking for any signs of the ’’Citizen’’ or that terrorist’s work.
The movie is actually quite funny at times and always remembers it is a comedy first and foremost. There is a thriller sub-plot involving a terrorist with a bomb that is not only conventional but also kind of spoiled earlier than it should have been, but it is necessary to the plot and is essential for the great climax.
The performances are good all across the board with Bullock doing a performance a little different than usual but making good use of her talent ranging from physical comedy to some nice word jabs. Michael Caine as the elitist yet disgraced beauty consultant comes in a close second doing his eccentric supporting performance style he is known for.