Smile

Nice Piece of Americana

This is an enjoyable piece of Americana of the 1970's. Its satire is gentle and understanding of that part of American society that thinks beauty pageants mean something. The movie only loses its footing and pacing when it tries to make a serious point.

Bruce Dern's character is a great comic turn for a serious actor in his role as "Big Bob Freelander". He is head of the state beauty pageant and a Winnebago salesman par excellence in the gas-short '70's.

His first appearance has a hilarious sales pitch to a young couple. Not only is it very funny but it resonates even more strongly as credit-starved customers pass customer-deprived American dealerships today. Just picture an SUV rather than a Winnebago.

"And if you're worried about credit pal, forget it, we don't worry about it, why should you? ... with all these crazy Arabs around who knows what they're going to do next? Ya have to admit it's a heck of a safe feeling knowing you're sleeping on top of 50 gallons of gas."

Melanie Griffith has a small role and it is interesting to see her at only seventeen along with other now older actresses, including Annette O'Toole, in bit roles as beauty contestants. As might be expected it is Melanie's bod that is used to touch off a small scandal and crisis in the pageant.

The other outstanding performance is given by Maria O'Brien. She plays the first Mexican-American contestant ever to participate in the pageant. It is a wonderful performance that would probably not be allowed today; just as Dern's Arab pitch would not.

O'Brien's Hispanic-American pageant act is wonderfully cynical. Her bullying of the stagehand reveals the ruthless competitor behind the cheery, smiling face. Her character's cynicism foredooms her to the worst fate in the competition, of course, but O'Brien has already set the character up perfectly for the fall.

The pageant talent competition, interspersed throughout the movie, is right on the money and straight at your funny bone. The ending is maudlin as the viewer is sledge-hammered with Bruce Dern's questioning look of "What's it all about, Alfie?" faux existentialism. There is just no need for writers, directors, and producers to try to have it both ways.

Jerry Belson, who wrote the movie, was one of the inventors of the "moment" in TV comedy. The "moment" takes place when during all the comic backstabbing and cutthroat competition everyone seems to stop and, completely out of character, utter mushy, maudlin sentiments.

Belson and Garry Marshall employed this technique in countless "Happy Days" episodes. It remains a plague of good comedy to this day. Had they stuck to the clever, insightful satire, this would be a five star movie. It is still well worth a watch.




October 19, 2008

Smile

I received Smile, one of my all-time favorite parodies, this time of beauty pageants, in perfect condition and on time. Couldn't ask for anything more. July 8, 2008

Hilarious and nicely done

Long before Little Miss Sunshine, there was this funny 1975 spoof of American teen beauty pageants, nicely directed by Michael Ritchie and featuring Barbara Feldon and Bruce Dern. Many hilarious scenes, great dialogue, and a few adult-ish parts you might not expect. July 17, 2007

Smile

Don't miss Michael Ritchie's subtly devastating take on small-town life and conventions. Dern is a hoot in a rare comic role, and Feldon (from TV's "Get Smart") also scores as Brenda, a former beauty queen who uses her job to avoid a failing marriage. Yet it's Kidd, a first-rate dancer and choreographer from Hollywood's golden age of musicals, who steals the movie playing Tommy, a professional has-been whose gruff exterior masks a good heart. O'Toole also stands out as a seasoned contestant. A dead-on satiric slice of Americana. July 4, 2007

Best Bruce Dern Movie Ever Made

Bruce Dern was often cast as a bad guy; after all he was the guy who killed John Wayne (in the Cowboys, I believe). In this movie he takes on a completely different role, which really showcases his talent and makes you realize that the man is not just great at bad-guy roles, but is an outstanding actor. This a wonderful satire on the shallowness of beauty pageants and what they are REALLY all about. It is also very entertaining throughout; much more so than a real beauty pageant! The casting is absolutely outstanding with all the characters being so believable. Nice music too with Nat King Cole singing the title song. The movie has everything including a nice dose of comedy, plenty of drama and a message. It's as near perfect as a movie can be. Not disappointing on any level. Entertaining throughout without being a piece of fluff that so many movies are. Some nudity, so be warned about that, but it is essential to the plot, unlike some movies where it is unnecessary. Dern should have gotten an oscar for his role in this movie, but it probably didn't score high enough on the "politically correct" meter. April 6, 2006

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