Miss Congeniality (2000)

Nobody watches Miss Congeniality for the bomb threat, and the movie seems to know it, because the mystery gets about as much care as a pageant’s interview round. The villain reveal is flat, and Benjamin Bratt’s Eric is a partner with all the charm of a dial tone. Everything else is Sandra Bullock tripping in heels on purpose. She plays Gracie as a snorting, slouching agent who’d rather wrestle than wax, and her slow thaw into a real friend to the other contestants is the movie’s quiet heart. Michael Caine is perfect as Victor, the pageant coach treating her makeover like a full home renovation. William Shatner hosts like a man who’s been told the cameras are always on. Candice Bergen’s pageant boss gets the best icy looks. The world peace answer is still a classic. It made $212.8 million worldwide on a reported $45M. A 6.0 because Bullock’s physical comedy outshines the plot. $8,009 says the next time someone asks you to tell them about yourself, you say world peace and only half mean it as a joke.

What works: Sandra Bullock’s fearless physical comedy and Michael Caine’s dry, fussy coaching make the makeover scenes a joy.

What doesn’t: The bomb threat mystery is limp, the villain reveal lands with a thud, and the romance with Eric never sparks.

Who it’s for: Anyone who loves a makeover montage, a clumsy hero and a movie night that ends with everyone quoting world peace.