It's not great by any means, but it's a pretty good movie that didn't leave me filled with regret for investing time in it.

A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

As its title, the movie is beautiful but based upon a lot of pain and sufferings. This sadness is all the more harrowing than the entire cast is feminine, which is an amazing feat in nowadays Hollywood. As a female french writer, Simone de Beauvoir, said that "women don't birth but become so". We see that there: all the women are suffering from child to teen, adult and even third age! Their pain is closely linked with their beauty and their parents. In a way, this movie asks the following question: what is it to be a woman in America? For the answer, you can count on a truly excellent cast: the kids are very touching and they can be proud to have such a milestone at their age. Minnie Driver really carries the story on her shoulders. For me, she was a future leading actress but she seems to have disappeared since. It's a pity.I don't really understand how such a movie can be award-less ? So, if you find it, take the course!

Minnie Driver does an excellent job at this film. It's the first one that I ever saw. Mona (Minnie Driver) wanted to be Miss America Miss ever since she was twelve. Her life long friend Ruby helps her with her dresses and calms her down when she starts to panic. Though Mona has a secret. To be Miss America Miss you can't have a child but Mona did and Ruby covered for her saying the child was hers. Mona and Vanessa (her child) do not get along, but when Ruby is accused of an elder patient taking an overdose and is put in jail, Mona takes Vanessa with her to California and the two grow to be kinder to each other. Then, when Mona is a part of the top three, is admits to the world that Vanessa is Mona's daughter. The shock inspired everyone and she was named the first Miss America Miss that has a child. She uses her money to free Ruby and gives her a car. This movie is awesome. Minnie Driver does an excellent job and gets so into the character. Plus she has a great singing voice. She is really great.

I read one comment given by other people,said it is one of the messiest film, I don't think so ,although Mona does something we dislike ,she also felt guilty . And just like someone said before there is someone who need to give up something to fulfill their dreams.And she sticks her dream so long ,who can hold our dream like her, from the childhood till the adulthood.as chairman Mao has sail, so many deeds cry out to be done and always urgently ,time presses, ten thousand years is too long, seize the day ,seize the hour !everyone needs to utmost their best to make the dream come true!PS: I like the song very much,who can tell me the name, ,thanks a lot!

I caught this movie the other day and I was pleasantly surprised! I will watch just about anything Minnie Driver does because, in addition to being REALLY easy on the eyes, she is also a very talented performer.In this film, Driver plays a Beauty Pageant conetstent that is driven (no pun intended) to win at all costs, even to the extent of lying about her own life and actively sabotaging the other contestants. It is difficult to talk about this film without giving away some of the surprises, so I will just have to say that this movie is entertaining even if it does end up ultimately being a "chick flick", and it might make you think about priorities in your life. 6/10