Drop Dead Gorgeous
Drop Dead Gorgeous

Drop Dead Gorgeous

1999
Movie
98 min
English

In a small Minnesota town, the annual beauty pageant is being covered by a TV crew. Former winner Gladys Leeman wants to make sure her daughter follows in her footsteps; explosions, falling lights, and trailer fires prove that. As the Leemans are the richest family in town, the police are pretty relaxed about it all. Despite everything, main rival (but sweet) Amber Atkins won't give up without a fight.

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Insights

IMDb5.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes54%
Metacritic53/100
Google Users75%
Director: Michael Patrick JannGenres: Comedy, Crime, Drama

Plot Summary

In a small Minnesota town, the annual Miss Junior American Teen Princess pageant becomes a darkly comedic and increasingly deadly competition. As the contestants vie for the crown, sabotage, accidents, and even murder begin to occur, turning the seemingly wholesome event into a chaotic spectacle. The film follows the aspiring teenagers and their ambitious mothers as they navigate the cutthroat world of beauty pageants.

Critical Reception

Drop Dead Gorgeous received mixed to positive reviews from critics upon its release. While some found its satirical edge sharp and its performances strong, others criticized its dark humor and sometimes uneven tone. Audiences were also divided, with some appreciating its campy and subversive take on beauty pageants, while others found it too bleak or offensive. Despite a modest box office performance, it has since gained a cult following.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its sharp satire and dark humor.
  • Kirsten Dunst and Allison Janney received specific commendations for their performances.
  • Some critics found the film's tone too dark or its jokes occasionally missed the mark.

Google audience: Google users generally found the film to be a darkly funny and satirical look at the world of beauty pageants. Many appreciated its over-the-top characters and surprisingly wicked sense of humor, though a portion found the humor too extreme or the plot a bit convoluted.

Fun Fact

The film was shot in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area, with many scenes filmed in and around suburban towns like Eden Prairie and Chanhassen.

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