Bullock pulls off ugly duckling routine in 'Miss Congeniality'

By Wilhelmina Mauritz

Daily Arts Writer

I would have to say the most shocking moment in "Miss Congeniality" was when Sandra Bullock's character was transformed from an ugly duckling FBI agent into a beauteous pageant contestant ... oh wait, that's not right, I, and probably everyone else with eyes, already knew that Sandra Bullock was gorgeous. So, it came as no surprise that when Sandra's character brushed her hair, put on some lipgloss and mascara and stepped out of her baggy suit into a tight, short dress that she was nothing short of stunning.

Knowing all of this ahead of time though, made the story about an unattractive, tomboyish FBI agent that has to go undercover at a beauty pageant, a wee bit lacking. Putting all of what I've just said aside though, "Miss Congeniality" was a charming comedy that let Bullock shine; something we haven't really seen since "Speed" and "While You Were Sleeping."

Bullock went beyond her normal cute girl-next-door image to play the exact opposite, and stayed true to her character throughout the movie. Often times movies like this will fall into the trap where a character will do a turnabout and change completely. When this happens, it always seems so unbelievable. Bullock stayed away from repeating this common mistake, even when she did have on a beautiful evening gown and some fake boob inserts.

Perhaps the best part of "Miss Congeniality" was Michael Caine who played Bullock's gay beauty consultant and eventual confidant. Far from his Oscar winning role in "The Cider House Rules," Caine proves once again that he is a multi-dimensional actor with a flare for comedy that he hasn't put to the test in quite a few years.

There were numerous other supporting roles that were equally wonderful. Candice Bergman plays the head of the Miss United States pageant and tries to shy away from the image that it is a beauty pageant and instead keeps insisting that it is a scholarship contest.

Benjamin Bratt, who is Bullock's co-worker and close friend, is perfect for his role. I only wish they hadn't tried to squeeze in a romantic angle between the two stars since it just seemed sort of rushed and put in there in order to follow some set of unwritten rules.

For those Star Trek fans out there, William Shatner also has a small comedic role as the co-host of the beauty pageant.

Even though all of the characters individually add to the movie as a whole, at time it feels as if they are there mostly to provide suspects for the movies mystery, which is a bit shabby to say the least. It is obvious that the focus of the movie is supposed to be Bullock and her transformation, not the FBI undercover job directly since the film never even lets you care too much who the villain is and why.

All in all "Miss Congeniality" was quite funny and overall very enjoyable. It never took itself too seriously and it even felt, at times, as though the movie was making fun of itself.

In this day and age any movie about a beauty pageant has to be full of laughs and mockery and never take itself seriously.

Courtesy of Warner Bros.

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