Smile (1975)

In the sun-soaked town of Santa Rosa, California, the annual pulse of excitement is palpable as the "Young American Miss" beauty pageant, a coveted event, rolls around for the seventh consecutive year. Orchestrated by the Santa Rosa Jaycees, a group much familiar with the pageant's intricate mechanics, the event brings together a vibrant blend of young contestants. From the confident to the shy, the gregarious to the naïve, and the backstabbing, each girl is driven by the same burning ambition to claim the crown, expertly maneuvering through the pageant's expectations and ever-watchful gaze. However, the stage isn't just a battleground for the girls. Among the shadows of the glamour, a motley crew of characters, each with their unique ambitions and disastrous flaws, conspire and collide. The producer, whose thriftiness borders on greed, the musical director struggling to grasp the girls' limitations, and the exorbitantly paid, self-absorbed choreographer all add to the brewing storm. Stir in the pageant official's teenage son, whose hormones and entrepreneurial spirit are running wild, and the maintenance crew whose self-indulgence often overshadows their responsibilities. At the helm of this chaotic ensemble are Big Bob Freelander and Brenda DiCarlo, the pageant's lifelines. However, these pillars are not without their own cracks. Brenda, a former beauty queen, is trying to keep the lid on her crumbling marriage while Bob, the head judge, is desperate to elevate his social standing. Their personal turmoil threatens to spill over into the pageant, placing the event on a precarious edge. As the pageant unfolds, the usual veneer of tradition and routine risks being shattered by personal interests and hidden agendas. Will this year's "Young American Miss" pageant be the same glittering spectacle, or will the undercurrents of scandal and turmoil redefine the event's legacy? Step behind the curtain of the pageant world and witness a drama that's just as captivating, if not more, than what's presented on the stage.

Smile is a comedy movie featuring Bruce Dern.

Smile is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.