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Smiling at “Smile”: An Analysis of the 1975 Movie
Have you ever watched a movie that left you with mixed emotions? That’s how I felt after watching “Smile,” a 1975 satirical comedy-drama film directed by Michael Ritchie. The movie follows the contestants in a beauty pageant called the Young American Miss held in Santa Rosa, California.
The Storyline and Plot
The storyline of this movie centers around a group of competing young women hoping to win the Young American Miss pageant. The film provides an insight into American culture, community, and society at that time through its characters and plot.
The film’s plot mostly revolves around Brenda DiCarlo (played by Barbara Feldon), who is one of the judges for the beauty pageant. Brenda struggles with her moral values and beliefs as she examines each contestant’s life story and performance on stage.
The film takes a satirical jab at beauty contests but also delves deeper into social themes such as feminism, racism, consumerism and political correctness. It raises questions about what it means to be an “ideal” woman based on societal standards.
Cast and Acting
The movie features an ensemble cast, including Bruce Dern, Michael Kidd, Barbara Feldon, and Joan Prather. The standout performer was Michael Kidd, who played the pageant choreographer. He brought a unique charm and charisma to his role and gave a memorable performance.
Another notable cast member was Susan Anton who played one of the contestants named Robin Gibson. Her character was a stereotypical small-town girl with a tomboy persona who dreamed of becoming a TV personality. Susan Anton’s natural grace and beauty shinned through her performance which made it hard not to root for her character.
Prominence and Popularity
The film has been associated with cult status since its release in 1975 as it challenges the norms of mainstream beauty contest films. It has also been appreciated for its powerful social commentary that retroactively stood out as highly relevant today.
Despite its popularity among cinema circles, it never reached financial success at the box office. However, the movie is still available for viewing on different streaming platforms, and modern viewers are starting to appreciate its relevance decades later.
Cinematography and Special Effects
The film’s cinematography by Conrad L. Hall was exceptional in highlighting all the characters’ emotions effectively. One of the highlights included the candid moments captured backstage during rehearsals before the competition.
The pageant scenes were also beautifully captured, and the director’s vision was executed well by the film crew. The final pageant scene with all the contestants on stage is excellently choreographed and enhances the overall viewing experience.
The movie does not require special effects to tell its story, but it makes some subtle use of techniques such as jump cuts in flashbacks used to reveal character backstories. The simple yet effective use of these techniques left a lasting impression on me.
Opinions and Evaluation
In my opinion, “Smile” is a movie that challenges societal norms through its satirical humor and social commentary. The film effectively questions what defines beauty and what it means to be an “ideal woman.”
The film’s characters are complex and nuanced, making it hard to root for any particular contestant or judge. This ambiguity allows the viewer to draw their conclusions based on their values and beliefs.
The movie has some genuinely funny moments, but it also makes me feel uneasy as it points out how we as a society have often defined beauty based on impossible standards that exploit women’s insecurities.
Conclusion
“Smile” may not be for everyone since its humor is dark satire – being cynical towards the traditional beauty contest. However, under that surface-level humor lies some incredible social commentary that still resonates today.
Michael Ritchie’s directorial masterpiece may have fallen short at the box office, but its impact has lasted longer than most other films released around the same time. It leaves viewers thinking long after they have watched it about what they believe in concerning societal values.