Synopsis
Carnelle Scott is a restless Mississippi girl looking for a life change. She decides to enter a beauty pageant, which her cousin had won years before. Despite a lack of support from those close to her Carnelle remains determined. She enlists the help of a seamstress to outfit her for the competition, while rebuffing the advances of predatory men, as she aims to bring home the crown.
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Cast
- Holly HunterCarnelle Scott
- Alfre WoodardPopeye Jackson
- Mary SteenburgenElaine Rutledge
- Tim RobbinsDelmount Williams
- Scott GlennMac Sam
- Trey WilsonBenjamin Drapper
- Ann WedgeworthMiss Blue
- Amy WrightMissy Mahoney
- Veanne CoxTessy Mahoney
- Christine LahtiClara Archer
Recommendations
- 88
Chicago Sun-Times
What finally makes Miss Firecracker special is that it is not about who wins the contest, but about how all beauty contests are about the need to be loved and about how silly a beauty contest can seem if somebody really loves you. - 75
The Associated Press
In portraits bursting with the magic and eccentricities of the same Southern literary tradition that gave us William Faulkner, Harper Lee and Tennesee Williams, Henley has created memorable and rich characters. These are real people, not Hollywood plastics. - 75
Rolling Stone
Miss Firecracker is a spirited lark that happily survives most missteps; it’s shot through with enchantment. - 70
Time Out
Despite touches of enforced eccentricity, the story is redeemed by its observation of bittersweet relationships and self-deceptions. - 70
Variety
Putting the show over with a bang is Hunter, the epitome of energy in a tailormade feisty role. She very accurately judges the line between high and low camp in her climactic tapdance for the talent contest, entertaining but just klutzy enough to be authentic. - 63
Chicago Tribune
A play based on the most delicately nuanced interactions inevitably loses electricity as a movie. Worse, it becomes predictable. [28 Apr 1989, p.L] - 60
Los Angeles Times
It’s a low-budget production with major-league acting by Mary Steenburgen, Holly Hunter and Alfre Woodard. It’s not directed sharply enough; Thomas Schlamme is particularly weak on the fight scenes. - 50
Washington Post
Ultimately, there's not enough genuine wildness to these dark, passionate and half-crazy people. Miss Firecracker is the South made cute.
