Drop Dead Gorgeous
1999, Comedy, 1h 39m
74 Reviews 50,000+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
It's dark humor sometimes hits, but mostly misses the target. Read critic reviews
You might also like
See More
Double Take

Crazy People

Folks!

Betsy's Wedding

Trial and Error
Where to watch
Drop Dead Gorgeous Videos
Drop Dead Gorgeous Photos
Movie Info
An annual beauty pageant in small-town Minnesota turns ridiculously competitive and ultimately chaotic in this biting comedy. Amber Atkins (Kirsten Dunst), the daughter of hard-drinking mom Annette (Ellen Barkin), and Becky Leeman (Denise Richards), who is motivated by her former beauty-queen mother, Gladys (Kirstie Alley), are among the top contenders in the event. As Amber, Becky, and other local girls prepare for the big day, bizarre incidents occur, leading up to an ending with a bang.
Cast & Crew
Kirsten Dunst
Amber Atkins
Amber Atkins
Ellen Barkin
Annette Atkins
Annette Atkins
Allison Janney
Loretta
Loretta
Denise Richards
Rebecca 'Becky' Ann Leeman
Rebecca 'Becky' Ann Leeman
Kirstie Alley
Gladys Leeman
Gladys Leeman
Sam McMurray
Lester Leeman
Lester Leeman
News & Interviews for Drop Dead Gorgeous
Critic Reviews for Drop Dead Gorgeous
Audience Reviews for Drop Dead Gorgeous
-
Mar 06, 2013With a wry sense of humor, Drop Dead Gorgeous delivers an edgy comedy about pageantry. In the film a documentary crew follows the contestants of the Sarah Rose Princess America Pageant in the small town of Mount Rose, but when a series of mysterious accidents start to eliminate the contestants foul play is suspected. The cast is pretty good and includes Kirsten Dunst, Brittany Murphy, Denise Richards, and Kirstie Alley, who all give solid performances. However, the tone of the film is inconsistent, and there are a ton of plot holes. The satire's pretty clever, but it's often undercut by the broad comedy. Drop Dead Gorgeous is an entertaining romp, but its story is poorly told.Dann M Super Reviewer
-
Jul 09, 2011Hilarious black comedy featuring an excellent cast of female actressesSylvester K Super Reviewer
-
May 20, 2011Very enjoyable mockumentary & modestly black comedy detailing the behind-the-scenes preparations, rivalries, and fatalities at a small-town Minnesota teen beauty pageant. The main competitors are Denise Richards, fitting in a role she probably played in real life as Becky Leeman the perfect daughter of the richest family and who says all the correct bland Miss America cliches, and Kirsten Dunst, perky as Amber Atkins who idolizes Diane Sawyer, fixes the hair & makeup of the bodies at the mortuary for experience, lives in a trailer with her boozy mom Ellen Barkin, and sees a pageant victory as a chance for a future beyond Mount Rose. Many amusing characterizations, from the girls in the pageant to the judges to the parents, without overusing too many hayseed stereotypes (and the ones they have are pretty bang-on.) Not as shrewd as the post-<i>Spinal Tap</i> Christopher Guest mocku-improvs, but not as understated either which generates a number of good laughs, like Barkin getting a beer can fused to her hand following an explosion, her best friend Allison Janney constantly hitting on the film crew, and a mass vomiting outbreak among beauty queens who ate some tainted seafood. But what really sells this movie is Dunst who through her innocent ambitions and sweet demeanor make you want her to win SO BAD - she's just GOT to beat that phony Becky Leeman, god don't you just HATE HER!?!Doctor S Super Reviewer
-
Jan 30, 2011I had very low expections for this film. In fact, the only reason I watched it was because this is Amy Adams' debut film. However, this film was quite enjoyable. It's hilarious and I love the mockumentary style of it. The humor is so great, too. I also loved seeing all the young stars in this film....Kirsten Dunst, Brittany Murphy, Amy Adams. They all give strong, memorable, and funny performances. Amy Adams and Brittany Murphy are so awesome here. I love them! Not one of the funniest comedies I've seen, but it is still a genuine laugh. Definitely one of my favorites that I have watched in the past weeks. I recommend it!Jameson W Super Reviewer
Verified