Miss Congeniality

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OK, LOL, Miss Congeniality is not erotica but it is great fun and I need some gentle romance on here. Besides, I had some thoughts which I wish to write up and this seems like the best place. 

Miss Congeniality looks like the perfect example of a postfeminist film. Now I am supposed to be in favour of feminist erotica, not erotica which says, Whatever. Get over it you dull second wave wimmin who can't be bothered to pluck your chin hair, so you might not expect me to say: "Yes! go and watch this romcom in which a dork-y FBI agent is transformed into a lovely Beauty Queen and realises her inner Barbie." However ... 

IMHO Miss Congeniality is a postmodern, not a postfeminist, film. A piece of joyous popular culture, it's full of ironic touches. The winner of the Beauty Pageant ... uh sorry! scholarship programme, Miss Rhode Island, is a total dolly bird: 
Stan Fields – “Miss Rhode Island, please describe your idea of a perfect date."
Cheryl “Rhode Island” – “That’s a tough one. I’d have to say April 25th. Because it's not too hot, not too cold, all you need is a light jacket."
The worst crime she can think of is that she once stole some red knickers - 'Satan's panties'. Then during the final walk on, we suddenly learn that she is a science major. Her field is nuclear fission with a minor in elementary particles. LOL. 

Meanwhile, let's check Gracie Hart the FBI agent in early scenes at work. At first it seems that her abilities are compromised by her kind feminine 'heart' (ho ho). She screws up because she is a caring kinda gal and can't bear to see even a Russian criminal suffering. 

Ah but then, notice how she is really smart and always comes up with the answer. And how the guys around her think they have thought of it and ignore that she contributed. Er, guys, can I get a moment of attention here? I was saying .... LOL. 

Plus, it's not even ironic when a film manages to edutain you with a demonstration of how to defend yourself if you are attacked from behind. All together girls! SING - Solar Plexus, Instep, Nose, Groin (or groin-ish area <snerk>). 

Image from cinema.com

Image from Betcheslovethis

I like Miss Congeniality for its celebration of diverse women: kick-boxing smart-ass Gracie Hart, kooky witty Gracie Lou Freebush, black lesbian Miss New York, and my personal favourite, gorgeous ice queen Candice Bergen. That tight smile is a killer! LOL. 

In the end, the best Beauty Pageant ... uh, sorry! scholarship programme title, is not Miss United States. It is of course: Miss Congeniality, which goes to someone with a kind heart - and who wants world peace.