Miss Congeniality: No, he’s not singing.

= 3 stars

Starring Sandra Bullock, Michael Caine, Benjamin Bratt
Directed by Donald Petrie

Blame my wife for dragging out this Sandra Bullock comedy from a few years back, but guess what, I liked it. It doesn’t pretend to be better than it is, a ridiculous farce that’s entertaining and amusing in all the right places. Plus, it has a dose of Shatner.

The plot is familiar and hokey: Gracie (Sandra Bullock) is an ugly duckling FBI agent who’s tapped to go undercover at the Miss United States beauty pageant as Miss New Jersey. In order to do so, she has to undergo a complete makeover. Along the way, she receives invaluable help from co-agent Eric (Benjamin Bratt) and beauty specialist Victor (Michael Caine).

Based on the plot, there are many opportunities for hilarity - such as the boor-to-beauty makeover, the talent competition, and the perils of your cover being blown - and Miss Congeniality largely delivers. The film’s teeth come out when lampooning the shallowness of the contestants and the ridiculous hoops they must jump through.

Sure, there are weak spots - I didn’t for once ever believe any of this hokum could be true - nor is the evil, brain-dead criminal plot the least bit thrilling - but what ultimately carries things are the actors. Namely, Sandra Bullock is perfect, alternately serving up homely and brain-dead beautiful. There’s a disarming humor in her snorty laugh, wimpy swearing, and the odd way she chants “you want to kiss me…!” Talk about dorky humor. There’s also some skilled supporting weight from Michael Caine and Candice Bergen.

I save the last paragraph for William Shatner. As the clueless announcer Stan, surrounded by national sweethearts, he contributes a melodious delivery as only he can. His last few scenes, standing on a burning stage as the nefarious plot plays out is priceless. You just can’t top the Shat.

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