Beautiful (2000)

Mona sacrifices everything, including family, in pursuit of a beauty pageant victory. Her friend Ruby helps her to an amazing degree.

Director:

Sally Field

Writer:

Jon Bernstein

Stars:

Minnie Driver, Hallie Eisenberg, Joey Lauren Adams

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Minnie Driver	...	Mona Hibbard
Joey Lauren Adams	...	Ruby
Hallie Eisenberg	...	Vanessa (as Hallie Kate Eisenberg)
Kathleen Turner	...	Verna Chickle
Leslie Stefanson	...	Joyce Parkins
Bridgette Wilson-Sampras	...	Lorna Larkin (as Bridgette L. Wilson)
Kathleen Robertson	...	Wanda Love
Michael McKean	...	Lance DeSalvo
Gary Collins	...	Miss American Miss Host
Linda Hart	...	Nedra Hibbard
Brent Briscoe	...	Lurdy
Colleen Rennison	...	Mona at 12
Jacqueline Steiger	...	Ruby at 12
Sylvia Short	...	Alberta
Herta Ware	...	Clara

Storyline

Sometimes you have to give up the life of your dreams, to discover the dream of your life... On her journey to become the next Miss American Miss, a young woman is forced to reevaluate her life's goal and, in the process, discovers what's really important and what it truly means to be... Beautiful.

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Plot Keywords:

one word title | f rated | title directed by female | male objectification | reference to penis size | 

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Taglines:

Sometimes you have to give up the life of your dreams, to discover the dream of your life.

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Genres:

Drama | Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for language and thematic elements

Details

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 September 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Mais Bela

Filming Locations:

Merry-Go-Round, Griffith Park - 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$14,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,409,433, 1 October 2000, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$3,060,963, 22 October 2000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Destination Films, Flashpoint (I), Fogwood Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the restroom, Belindy Lindbrook (Ali Landry) comes out of the stall and barely wets the tips of her fingers under faucet. She then keeps wiping her hands on a towel as if they're soaked.

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Goofs

There is no town named Schramsburg in Illinois.

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Quotes

Lorna Larkin: I'm Lorna Larkin, Miss Texas. I'm a magna cum laude graduate from the University of Texas with a double degree in genetic engineering and cosmetology.

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Connections

References The Oprah Winfrey Show (1986)

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Soundtracks

Slipinside
Written by Ernst Meinrath
Performed by Airlock

User Reviews

Dull moments, but overall an inspiring movie

For a great deal of the film my eyes did wander around as it is not the most riveting of film experiences; however, the ending was worthy of a standing ovation and tears.

Throughout the story, I found myself wondering whether I should sympathise with Mona, a woman with such a desire to win that she selfishly sabotages fellow contestants and locks her own daughter out of her life. On the other hand, I was able to relate to the story of a woman who strove to be the best only to falter and be dragged down by peers. In a sense, Mona is to be applauded for her determination to shine through a life of failure and loneliness - a true testament to the feats that can be achieved though hard work. Naturally, giving up her child to selfishly pursue a vain dream is almost despicable but it makes the triumphant ending ever so much more inspiring, that this confused human being triumphs not only over adversity to be crowned Miss American Miss, but more importantly, that she conquers her own self-centred frailties to realise the joy to be found in loving the beautiful gift of life she already possesses.