Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999)

A small-town beauty pageant turns deadly as it becomes clear that someone will go to any lengths to win.

Director:

Michael Patrick Jann

Writer:

Lona Williams

Stars:

Kirsten Dunst, Denise Richards, Ellen Barkin

2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kirsten Dunst	...	Amber Atkins
Ellen Barkin	...	Annette Atkins
Allison Janney	...	Loretta
Denise Richards	...	Rebecca 'Becky' Ann Leeman
Kirstie Alley	...	Gladys Leeman
Sam McMurray	...	Lester Leeman
Mindy Sterling	...	Iris Clark
Brittany Murphy	...	Lisa Swenson
Amy Adams	...	Leslie Miller
Laurie A. Sinclair	...	Michelle Johnson (as Laurie Sinclair)
Shannon Nelson	...	Tess Weinhaus
Tara Redepenning	...	Molly Howard
Sarah Stewart	...	Jenelle Betz
Alexandra Holden	...	Mary Johanson
Brooke Elise Bushman	...	Tammy Curry

Storyline

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 nice) Amber Atkins won't be stopped. There could well be more death and disappointment to come.

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Plot Keywords:

beauty pageant | small town | f rated | minnesota | murder | 

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Taglines:

The battle between the good and the bad is about to get ugly.

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for irreverent and crude humor, sex-related material and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Allison Janney says she is recognized by fans for this movie more than anything else in her career.

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Goofs

The opening claims that "1995 Marked (sic) the fiftieth anniversary of the nation's oldest beauty contest..." The "Miss America Pageant" has been ongoing since 1921.

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Quotes

Colleen Douglas: Look at that one there. I think that she's had a boob job.
Terry Macey: Oh, come on. She's too young for a boob job.
Colleen Douglas: They do that at birth now, what are you talking about?

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Crazy Credits

(referencing Hank's request to be freed from the car door) It is the policy of the documentary crew to remain true observers and not interfere with its subjects.

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Connections

Spoofed in Scary Movie (2000)

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Soundtracks

Voices Of Spring
Written by Johann Strauss
Performed by Wiener Philharmoniker (as Wiener Philharmonic)
Conducted by Willi Boskovsky
Courtesy of Decca Record Company Limited/London

User Reviews

If you don't deserve it; you deceive to get it.

This is a semi-hilarious mock documentary about a teen beauty contest in Minnesota. Anywhere from hilarious to ridiculous and all points in between. The only thing redeeming is Kirsten Dunst. She knows how to get your pity, concern and loyalty. Ellen Barkin is hardly recognized as Kirsten's drunken mother. Kirstie Alley is pretty darn good as the dirty dealing former beauty queen and mother of the obvious next winner(Denise Richards). Miss Richards' character is beautiful; but spoiled, pampered and a bitch. Not exactly an expose, because the behind the scenes back stabbing is assumed to be part of a beauty pageant. Tongue-in-cheek humor. Nevertheless another vehicle for the talented Miss Dunst.

Details

Country:

Germany USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 July 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dairy Queens

Filming Locations:

Jordan, Minnesota, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,986,269, 25 July 1999

Gross USA:

$10,571,408

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$10,571,408

Company Credits

Production Co:

New Line Cinema, Capella International, KC Medien

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1