Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999)
Viciously funny mockumentary about teen beauty pageants and the literally murderous extremes that some mothers will go to to try to ensure their daughters win. Stars Kirsten Dunst, Ellen Barkin, Allison Janney, Denise Richards, Kirstie Alley, Brittany Murphy, and - in her film debut - Amy Adams. Plus Adam West as himself! If you like the original
Mean Girls and have a twisted sense of humour you'll probably like this (I loved the town perv-pedo who managed to somehow get himself on the judges panel, and also last year's winner talking on-camera about how entering pageants had truly changed her life - giving her interview from her bed in the bulimia clinic!). The whole cast are great, but my favourite is probably Ellen Barkin as 'Annette', 'Amber's' (Kirsten Dunst) trailer-trash, drunken mom;
[Amber is being filmed in her bedroom in her trailer. Annette is heard coughing]
Amber: That's my mom.
Annette: [from outside] Hey, Amber, did ya get my smokes?
Amber: Oh, yah, I'll get 'em in a sec.
Annette: [walks in and sees the camera crew] Aw, s**t.
Amber: Oh, they're from Los Angeles. They wanted to see my room and film me for their movie.
Annette: Yah, well, if they ask you to take your top off, get the money first.
[she leaves the room]
Great kick-back-at-the-end-of-the-day movie 7.5/10