Think You Remember Miss Congeniality? Then Score At Least 80% On This Quiz
- by Ben Gibson
- – on
- in Movies and TV
Sandra Bullock first came on the scene back in the mid-to-late '80s. For the past thirty years she's been charming us and disarming us with that trademark smile. True fans will remember her from way back when, in "Love Potion No. 9," or maybe even co-staring with Sylvester Stallone in 1993's "Demolition Man." However, most of us would agree that the first time she truly made her mark was in 1994, with "Speed." From that movie on, it was easy to remember her name and it was hard to forget her face.
Over the next few years she managed to put out some really stellar blockbusters, like "While You Were Sleeping," "A Time To Kill," "Hope Floats," and "Practical Magic." Sandra Bullock was now indisputably Hollywood's new sweetheart of the rom/com. Perhaps that's what pushed her to want to flex her dramatic muscles, if you will. In 2000, she played Gwen Cummings (a terrible alcoholic forced into rehab) in, "28 Days." Shortly after, came "Murder By Numbers," and the Academy Award winning "Crash."
But you stopped to take this quiz because it caught your eye. All those other films are noteworthy, without question. But your quiz is about one of her greatest comedic achievements, "Miss Congeniality," a laugh-a-minute movie that everyone remembers. So the question of the day is, how well do you remember this movie in particular? Why not start with question 1? Go ahead, make Sandra proud!
What is Sandra's character, Gracie's last name?
Gracie is quite obviously an very no-nonsense government agent who takes her job quite seriously. This is not someone who just shows up to the office for a paycheck. Gracie is definitely not here to play; she's out there to catch the bad guy(s) and make them pay. Fighting crime is not an interest or a hobby (for her). It's a commitment. It's a way of life and she loves it! Hint: Chicago fans might think she's related to one of the stars!
Which pageant is Gracie entered in?
Yes. There are an awful lot of pageants out there; but this is not "Toddlers & Tiaras." This is a major motion picture! This is Sandra Bullock! Okay ... no. It is not a build up to her next movie, it's just a quiz. But it is hard to deny Miss Bullock's star power. Maybe that's how she ended up in a film with a beauty pageant. Who knows? Either way, Gracie is stunning, she's sleek, and she's doing her best not to lose her patience over this whole, crazy idea.
Who plays Gracie's boss?
So ... what do you think so far? Are the questions getting easier or harder as they go on? You feeling confident? Are you ready to keep going? For this one, all you have to do is match the name to the face. Come on, you can do that! There aren't a whole lot of hints to give out, but this actor does play a good superior agent. In fact, this is not his first role as a cop or as an agency liaison.
Which gonvernment agency does Gracie work for?
Moving right along. We know who she is, and we know what she's doing; now we just need to make sure we know who it is she's working for. Obviously, you don't want to go undercover into this kind of gala event all willy-nilly. You need to know you've got backup; you need to know you've got a team of professionals behind you (not to mention a team of professional consultants as well). So, pick a government abbreviation and make your best guess!
Where is the pageant being held?
We've covered the who, the what, and the when. Now onto the "where?" You certainly can't have an extravaganza of this magnitude just anywhere. You need bigger, better, and a bustling population (with big-brimmed hats ... hint, hint). Then again, when you're presenting 50 beautiful women in lavish even gowns and alluring bathing suits, you may not have to work that hard to attract a crowd. After all, there is a reason that the word "beauty" precedes the word "pageant." Makes sense.
What is Gracie's "undercover" name?
So, just how deep undercover do you need to go? Clearly, you're going to need some coaching and some training for your walk, your smile, your talent, your performance, etc. You've already been equipped with teams of professionals to help you with your physical appearance (whether you like it or not); but, does that mean giving up your identity completely? Maybe not. Perhaps you don't have to change your whole name, maybe just the end of it. Do you know what it is?
Gracie wears glasses. True or False?
Before we delve too deep into Gracie's undercover persona, let's make sure we've dealt enough with her real-life persona. Again, this question has a bit more to do with the details of the movie. Once more, it begs the question, just how closely were you paying attention. It's nothing personal. If you don't know the answer, it may not even be your fault. Who knows, maybe you were getting popcorn, maybe the person sitting in front of you was too distracting.
What state does Gracie represent in the pageant?
Well you have to fit her in somewhere! You can't just expect to throw her into the mix and say, "... hey, we're gonna have two Miss Floridas!" No. Florida is not one of the choices; stop looking for shortcuts. Obviously, no one can stop you from fast-forwarding through the movie to find the answer; but we're not going to just give it to you. What kind of a challenge would this be then? It's really not that complicated. It's just a white sash.
Who is the pageant director?
Gracie has her new identity, representative state, and a massive makeover that's about get underway; now you just need to make sure that you run it by the pageant "higher-ups." And this, quite obviously, includes the pageant director. After all, she's the one with her finger on the pulse of everything that is pageantry. She needs to be fully aware of the who's who and what's what of her production. Then again, it could be just as simple as ... they merely need to get her permission first.
Where is the bomb?
The bomb?! Where is it?! Who has it?! Is it about to go off? Time is running out and the rest of the contestants have no idea what's about to happen! Can Gracie save the day this time? Well, she did screw up back in the beginning, but that was like ... an hour and a half ago. You can't still hold that against her. Come on, she's cracked this case wide open all by herself! But they still don't get it!
What actor plays the master of ceremonies, Stan Fields?
You can't have an event as festive or as glamorous as a beauty pageant without an emcee. You need an announcer, a main speaker. You need a man who commands attention, a man who can capture an audience and keep them there (while the ladies are off stage, obviously). At the same time, the contestants need someone they're comfortable with; they need someone they can trust. They need an impartial party who's not just there to ogle them in their bathing suits.
How is Gracie supposed to walk, now that she's a pageant participant?
Let the transformation begin! So much to do and so little time in which to do it. There's the hair, the skin, the nails, the teeth, the waxing ... just to name some of the steps in the painful process. But, it's not just the looks, it's the behavior, as well. You have to know what to eat, how to eat it, how to speak, how to stand, how to wave and how to smile. And, yes, you even need to know how to walk.
Finish this quote, "It's not a beauty pageant, it's a- "
Oh, the world is sooo politically correct these days. Or maybe it's just a matter of not brandishing all those pretty ladies with a label like, beauty queen. There's no need to be chauvinistic or sexist about this kind of thing. It takes a lot for these girls to do what they do. It takes poise and confidence and a whole lot of courage to walk out on stage, wearing nothing but a bathing suit in front of all those people.
Can you name the actor who plays Gracie's pageant consultant?
You are a federal agent for goodness sake. This was NOT in your job description. This is NOT what you do. Well, in all honesty, it's not something you were really prepared for, either. Enter the expert. The pageant man who can perform miracles. After all, he had to transform poor, old, Gracie Lou Hart into the glamorous, stealthy Gracie Lou Freebush. Yes, that one was a freebie, but the coinciding question was eight questions ago. See? Paying attention to the details.
Who was Gracie staking out at the beginning of the movie?
Okay, okay ... before you get too much deeper into the plot of all this, let's field a few more questions from the beginning of the movie. Before the villain (the main villain) even makes his first appearance in the film, Miss Gracie was already on the job. It was late one night, and she was holed up in a dingy old restaurant, trying to catch some bad guys in the middle of a bad deal. She gets the guys she wanted, but almost loses an agent in the process.
Which one of Gracie's kitchen appliances doesn't work for her?
You know, maybe the life of a federal agent isn't all that glamorous, especially when you haven't even had your make over yet. Maybe you don't get paid, or compensated as well as you should. So when one or some of your major (or minor in this case) appliances break down, you may not have the cash to get them fixed or replaced right away. You may just have to make due with what you've got. Or you could always jam a wooden kitchen utensil in it.
Which one of the contestants becomes a friend to Gracie?
A lot of these women are going through a lot of the same embarrassing processes that you are; the waxing, the waiting, the dental work, etc. They all have to go through the practicing of the balance, the poise, the perfection. Sure, some of the ladies are more confident than others, but that doesn't automatically make it any easy task. When you get down to it, most of them are just doing their best. So, why wouldn't you eventually become friends with some of them? You've got to start looking for suspects somewhere.
What food does Gracie keep trying to sneak away with?
Ahhh ... it's all about the perfect form, the perfect teeth, the perfect hair, the perfect figure, and so on and so on, and so on. But it's certainly not about the perfect food. At least not in Gracie's mind, anyway. The physical appearances you can understand; but if the pageant is only a few days away, then how is suddenly changing your diet going to make that big of a difference? Then again, if you're going to fit into a svelt purple dress, maybe you need all the help you can get.
Can you finish this quote: "Smilers where a crown, losers wear-"
Old, cliched phrases and corny advice can sometimes go hand-in-hand. That doesn't necessarily mean you have to like it, it just means that you usually can't have one without the other. So, maybe liver and onions would have been a better example. They may be good for you, but nobody wants it, and they never go down easy. But if you're a former pageant winner (and now the director), perhaps all you can do is go with what works for you.
Gracie snorts when she laughs. True or false?
Maybe she does, maybe she doesn't. Does it really matter? Awwww ... come on. Something like that is a character trait. That's something that makes a person unique, not a freak. Maybe she doesn't snort; maybe she squirts milk out of her nose most of the time when she laughs. Perhaps it's not her laugh that sets Gracie Hart apart from everyone else. What if it was a beauty mark; or a gap in her teeth, or premature hair loss. She's not weird, she's individual. We all are.
What is Miss Rhode Island's name?
Well, you've got to have friends. Don't you? Yes, you're undercover and you're doing your best to identify and catch "The Citizen" before he strikes again (at the beauty pageant, no less); but you still need some girl time, don't you? You still need someone you can bond with, at least over some hot chocolate, anyway. Just because you're a government agent, that doesn't mean you have to be cold and calculating all the time. Not everybody deserves the cold shoulder. Do they?
What kind of ice cream does Gracie eat?
So, we're getting more and more intimate with the "undercover" persona that is Gracie Hart. But your quiz can't be all easy transitions and logical guesses. As stated before ... it's a quiz; you have to expect a few curve balls here and there. Otherwise, it wouldn't be very ... well, quizzical, now would it? At the beginning of the movie, Agent Hart is on a stakeout of sorts. She tries to take matters into her own hands and botches the operation. How does she drown her sorrows afterwards?
What is Gracie's talent for the pageant?
Good hair, pretty looks, and a nice bathing suit are not going to win you first place in a beauty pageant. Okay, wait- they will help you win (after all the word "beauty" is half the title). Good hair, pretty looks, and a hot bathing suit are not going to win you first place in a beauty pageant- alone. Yes, that's better. It's true, you do need all those things, but you do need a talent as well. That was the point.
Gracie wears a one-piece bathing suit for the competition. True or False?
NOW the other question makes sense. Again, you can't rely on looks, or on hair, or on talent alone. If you truly want to be the winner, you need to excel in all of these areas, combined. See? Now you're getting it. Way to go! But the question at hand here is, just how well do you recall the bathing suit portion of the contest? And, no, this is not a sexist or chauvinistic statement. It's a legitimate part of the contest and a legitimate scene in the movie.
What is Miss Rhode Island's talent?
See?! It applies to everyone, not just Gracie! But we're talking about another contestant altogether now. So the pressure's really on. Maybe you got New Jersey's talent question right, but were you paying attention when they were having a discussion about what Cheryl was going to do for her portion of the talent segment? There are only so many excuses and you really can't use them more than once. You had to expect that things were going to get a little more difficult at some point.
What midnight snack goes great with "girl-talk?"
First of all ... no. This is not a question about personal opinion. This actually pertains to the film. Well, to the film and to the quiz. Obviously. The fact is, Miss Rhode Island is now a suspect (kind of). So Agent Freebush has to figure out a way to get Cheryl and the rest of the girls to open up a bit. And what better way to do that than to tempt them with some forbidden treats and a little girly conversation?
According to Cheryl, what did she steal a long time ago from a department store?
Oh, the things you can learn about people, once they let their guard down. A little too much, sometimes. But, hey ... that's what makes for a good story; or for good girl talk. The real controversy here though, is whether or not Miss Rhode Island's little indiscretion is enough to consider her dangerous, or maybe even the prime suspect! However, that mousy little voice makes it hard to believe she's cold and calculating enough to be a violent killer.
Who helps Gracie Lou get ready for the pageant after the bureau abandons her?
Having to be the rogue agent sucks! First off, no one believes you. Sure, maybe you don't have any rock-solid proof, but gosh darnit, you've got a really strong hunch! Secondly, because you can't convince the others that you might just know what you're talking about, they get fed up and leave you to chase your "supposed" lead alone. And that's pretty much where they've left Gracie at this point. No faith in her, no support, and zero backup. Not to mention that fact that now she has to finish the pageant alone.
What does Gracie do for a talent when she can't play the water glasses?
Wow! Our hero has been abandoned, and now ... the girls backstage drank the water from the water glasses. Sigh. What's an agent to do at a time like this? Talk about pressure! Poor Gracie is pretty certain she knows who "The Citizen" is; so she can't just jump ship and quit the pageant. She's got to stick it out and see things through. But it was hard enough coming up with her first talent, now she's really stuck between a rock and a hard place. Again!
What foreign language does Gracie speak?
Boom! Curve ball! AGAIN! What?! You don't like a challenge? It's really not that hard. If you read carefully through the earlier questions above, the answer is right there. But, congratulations on getting this far! There's only nine more questions to go, and you know that some people have bailed by now. But not you. You know Sandra. You know her movies and you're willing to go the distance just to see how this all plays out in the end! Good for you!
What is the villain's name?
You've made up your mind to be the bad guy. You're tired of being a victim; it's your turn to be the one who strikes fear and terror into the hearts of others for a change. Good for you. A decision like that take guts; a step that big takes commitment. And that's why you need a name. You need a good, solid moniker that people will remember. Sure, the press will give you one eventually, but why not start out ahead of the game?
Kathy Morningside's assistant, Frank, is actually her son. True or False?
Things are really starting to heat up now. Most of the other suspects (or suspect, rather) have been eliminated, and the facts of the case are beginning to unfold! Why didn't they just listen to Gracie in the first place?! What if it's too late? What if they can't stop "The Citizen" in time?! Oh, the humanity of it all! They're just a bunch young girls aspiring to be all they can be, and now it may all come to an explosive end!
Who is "The Citizen?"
Whew! Just in time! Agent Gracie Hart saves the day! Oh, come on ... we all knew she could do it. And so can you! You're almost done! Don't give up now! Gracie figured out who the killer was, stopped the bomb from hurting anyone and protected all of her new friends in process. And she did it all without any help! This is just a 40 question quiz; it's not like anyone's life hangs in the balance. This is a cake walk. Just hang in there!
Who wins the "Miss United States" pageant?
Gracie completed her mission, saved the day, and seriously put Miss Morningside in her place. Maybe the rest of the agents will finally start taking her input seriously. Despite the fact that innocent people were almost killed, the bad guy almost got away, and Gracie's partner ALMOST didn't show up in time, they were still able to crown a winner, too! Talk about the opposite of an epic fail! One could almost argue that this outcome was nothing short of a pageantry miracle! Almost.
What year was "Miss Congeniality" released?
Yes. This is an easy one. At least it is if you paid close enough attention to the introduction. No, the next 39 questions are not all this easy; but this is a quiz, is it not? Could be worse. It could be about algebra, or geometry, or calculus. But we don't need a mathematical equation to tell us how talented she is, or how much we enjoy watching her up there on the silver screen. This is "Miss Congeniality," what's not to enjoy?
Can you name the character who asks Gracie out on a date after the pageant is over?
Sooooo, not only is Gracie Hart the hero of the day (maybe not Miss United States, but that's okay), but now she's kind of the hottie with the body. It turns out that all that makeover work and all those lessons in poise and posture may have just paid off in a way she wasn't expecting. She's not just attractive professionally now, she also just plain attractive. But the real question is, who gets up the nerve to tell her just how attractive she is?
What place did Gracie win?
Okay. Let's try and recap, shall we (it's a lot to remember)? Deep breath. So, Agent Gracie Hart agreed to go undercover, got a cosmetic remodel, embarrassed herself more than once, pretty much figured out who the killer was all by herself, saved all her friends, arrested the bad guy, got asked out on a date ... AND managed to win a place in the pageant, too! Now, that's talent! But, as we've said before, this IS Sandra Bullock we're talking about.
Who was it that tried to detonate the bomb?
Yeah, we're pretty much down to the last few details at this point. But it's been exciting, hasn't it? This is on-the-edge-of-your-seat kind of stuff here. But the big mystery has been solved, the evil genius (okay, genius might be a bit strong) was thwarted, and Gracie may have very well found love in the end after all. These last few questions are basically to wrap up the quiz and, hopefully, up your score just a bit. So, don't fret. Almost done.
How many sequels does "Miss Congeniality" have?
Well, is it unanimous yet? Do we all love Sandra Bullock? Did we all enjoy "Miss Congeniality?" More importantly, did we all love taking the "Miss Congeniality" quiz? Of course you did! You wouldn't have picked it otherwise. Perhaps MOST important (for this question, anyway) is whether Hollywood and the movie-going public liked Miss Bullock and her colorful comedy? If you think the answer is, "yes," then you have to ask yourself how much do you think they enjoyed it. Enough for a sequel? Maybe two or three?
Gracie Hart lives with a roommate. True or False?
Did you really think this would all end that easily? Did you not expect that there might be one more trick shot left on the table? Don't sweat it. This question is just like all those other curve balls. It's not that difficult. The answer was pretty much within the first five to ten minutes of the movie. And even if you didn't catch it then ... all you really need to know is how the movie ended (romantically, that is).