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A sequel was released in 2005 that no one was asking for and generated less than half of the original gross with almost assuredly a much bigger budget.

Miss Congeniality is a junk food film. I know a cupcake and Diet Coke isn’t a good lunch, but damn it, I will have it anyway. While there are thousands of movies that one could recommend over this one, the overwhelming niceness and sure-to-bring-a-smile factor of Bullock flick is guaranteed to make this movie hard to pass up.

Critics seem to agree with my assessment. Charmed by Bullock’s persona, a plot that is even fluffier than cotton candy kneecapped high marks, ranking at 42% on Rottentomatoes (31% amongst Top Critics, aka the critics that you have actually heard of).

I am not surprised by the harsh words. None of the jokes are very original and the movie meanders rather than having movement. Understandably, the film only focuses on four out of the 50 beauty contestants as a part of the comedic ensemble, yet never dares to have the scope to expand for a major set piece until the end. You’d think for a script concocted by three credited writers (whose names you won’t recognize on any other films outside of Bullock ones), a bit more originality could be found. Director Donald Petrie, who “gifted” us with movies like How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Grumpy Old Men, and Just My Luck, adds zero flavor to the vanilla mix.

Montages practically drive the plot and an overbearing soundtrack to set up the emotional cues. However, Bullock and crew (including Benjamin Bratt as the co-worker/unexpected-but-totally-predictable love interest and Candice Bergen as the bitchy alpha female) manage to charm their way through the nearly two hour running time.

Caine’s pageant coach character could have used the editing room to teach the filmmakers how to make the pace of Miss Congeniality “glide” rather than “thump” from beat to beat.

I will be interested to see how Bullock does as a foul-mouthed agent in The Heat compared to her PG-13 bordering on PG-rated Gracie Hart. I am not quite sure how this role became one of Bullock’s more iconic characters among her Speed bus driver, racist wife in Crash, and tough-as-nails Southern Belle Leigh Anne Tuohy in The Blind Side, but this seems to be a quintessential part to her filmography among fans.

Bullock has an interesting career. Even though she is arguably a talented actress, her movie roles seem to be driven by her marketable personality rather than risky challenges. While there is a rare opportunity to see a deeper side to Sandra in movies like Crash and the upcoming Gravity (have you seen the amazing trailer for it yet? If not, then see it now!), she seems to know what her sizable audience wants and keeps giving it to them film after film.

As I stated earlier, being nice pays off, to the tune of nearly $107 million to be exact. Certainly no runner-up or even top 10 contestants for best film, Miss Congeniality, like the winner of the titular award, possesses friendliness and grace. And in an age where darkness is trendy for film, a little lightness and poise isn’t too much to ask for.

Verdict: With Us

6 out of 10

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