My Favorite Line from the movie... (big spoiler)

... is near the end when the contest is over and Elain and Delmount try to appease Carnelle's disappointment by telling her it was all a stupid farce; that she need not 'humiliate' herself further by taking part in the winners parade down main street. Carnelle firmly dismisses their placating and argues that the contest actually meant a lot to her, despite feeling crushed by her poor showing, and that she intends to see it through to the end. As she heads towards the winners float to take her place, she cuts off her cousins' continued protests, declaring vehemently:

"When you come in last, you follow the float. I took a chance -- I came in last -- so by God, I'M GOING TO FOLLOW THAT FLOAT!"

Miss Firecracker is one of my favorite movies of all time, and this is my favorite part of the movie. By the time Holly Hunter steps onto the back end of the platform and the float starts to move, the wind blowing her hair across her face, blinding her, as she struggles to stand upright and hold onto her flag, I am in tears.

It's a perfect example of Carnelle's scrappy character; her innate integrity; her ability to "take it on the chin." Whenever I get a case of the 'screw-its' (when I try to blow off an obligation with the lame justification that it didn't go the way I wanted or planned) this movie quote comes to mind. Sometimes you have to suck it up and show up; no matter how it hurts.

I adore this movie! It's my annual 4th of July tradition.