Miscasting

Maybe she was going for Miss Personality.

Yeah, Roger Ebert even thought it would've been better if Driver and Adams switched roles. It would've been more believable.

I think Minnie Driver was perfect in the role AND looked beautiful. Now remember, her character has been doing beauty pageants half her life and she has been in Miss Illinois more than once, so she doesn't have to be 21 or 22. It's possible the character may be in the 27 or even 28 range which you can still be in most state pageants. And she can definitely pass for that age in this because she was only 29 when she filmed it. Heavy make up can make some women look older than they are and she is wearing pounds of it in this.

Dammit Carol Sue, where is the vodka?!

Minnie Driver is NOT an attractive woman..she was COMPLETELY muscast, which is why I never saw the film. I am only now watching the last 15 minutes of this god-awful film. And I can confirm now that my original pre-conceived notion of this film was spot-on.

I agree she wasn't the age you'd assume or immediately imagine winning a Miss America contest but I do think the rest of the casting supported her role. The remainder of the casting for the other female contestants were also in the same age group, therfore making her age and character more believable. Had they put a bunch of teeny-boppers next to her, it would have seemed ridiculous. I do feel that the casting did seem a little off, however her acting was superb and she did a wonderful job with the role.

I've sat in the audiences of many a pageant & her build/the way she carries herself/style is sooo pageant. While miss Texas is textbook (like young Mona observed), many 90s pageant girls looked like Mona. The prettiest girl doesn't always win a pageant, it's the girl who *thinks* she's the best who often wins.

I agree with the point someone made above me about how the other girls are in her age range, making it seem more believable. I think miss USA is ages 18-26, so she could be in her mid/late 20s still competing.