Very funny movie, with such good humor. Very funny movie, with such good humor.

Basically, this is a "mockumentary" style film. Kirstin is the protagonist, living with her mother (Ellen) in a mobile home. When the documentary team approaches a neighbor asks if they're on "Cops," again. It just gets better and better. It just has layers and layers of crazy, and stupid, and hick, and silly, small-town nonsense wrapped in more and more of the same. Denise Richards is priceless as is Brittany Murphy. From start to finish, it giggle, after chuckle, after out-right guffaws. The mix of small town realities with the desire to escape the anonymity of small town life is what leads all the characters to engage in every part of the "beauty pageant." The pageant has almost nothing to do with the movie plot.

Drop Dead Gorgeous is filmed in a documentary style (no, thankfully not like the Blair Witch Project, or any of its many imitators) and charts a beauty pageant in small town America.If you're expecting just some simply bitchiness between catty teenage queens, you're probably thinking too low. Kirsty Alley plays the mother of one of the contestants who's determined to do whatever it takes for her daughter (Denise Richards) to win. This, of course, means murdering anyone who she sees as competition.Drop Dead Gorgeous is the epitome of black comedy. There are no jokes - as such - in this film. All the laughter comes from subtle situations and performances which leaves you cringing into your cushion. Also, all the characters are perfect. It's like an ensemble cast of actors and actresses that you probably don't know that well, who all just so happen to play their respected parts perfectly. Special credit must go to Denise Richards who is truly brilliant when she comes to visit the former beauty queen winner in hospital (I'll say no more about that - just classic).Perhaps Drop Dead Gorgeous didn't set the box office alight at its time of release because of its dark subject matter. It does poke fun of America's obsession with parades, self image and all things beautiful. It may even have been a little ahead of its time. Back in 1999 at the film's release, documentary (or should I say 'mockumentary' films?) were not as common as they are today.If you like your films deeply dark, with plenty of subtle humour and great performances then this is the one for you. However, if you're looking for comedy that's a little more 'in your face' (ala American Pie) then Drop Dead Gorgeous is a very different beast indeed).

Irreverent, fun and light. Not exactly a subtle jab at pageants, but a hilarious one. All the stereotypes you'd expect are there, but it doesn't keep them from being amusing at every turn. The talking heads in this movie are consistently excellent, as are the performances. Kirsten Dunst, Allison Janey, Denise Richards, Brittany Murphy and the rest of the cast do a wonderful job handling their consistently silly, but familiar characters. The film drags a bit towards its predictable (but not unsatisfying) ending, but the laughs it accumulates along the way give it the momentum required to push through. I'd recommend it to anyone.