Look, the critics liked this one back in 1989, and there's probably something charming about its offbeat Southern Gothic sensibility if you're into that niche. The story of a woman seeking validation through a beauty pageant while fending off creepy dudes has some merit—at least she's setting boundaries.
But let's be real: this movie is 36 years old, audiences gave it a lukewarm 52%, and the whole beauty pageant framework feels deeply uncomfortable in 2025. It's slow, it's dated, and unless you're a film studies enthusiast or have a specific interest in late-80s Southern indie cinema, there are about a thousand better ways to spend 90 minutes with your family.
The gap between the 82% critic score and 52% audience score tells you everything—this is the kind of movie reviewers appreciate for craft but regular people find kind of boring. Kids today? They'll be on their phones within 15 minutes. Skip it unless you're really curious about obscure 80s dramedies.




