Unhappy Carnelle Scott is desperate to escape her reputation as Yazoo City's 'Miss Hot Tamale.' She throws herself into a do-or-die effort to win the Mississippi town's big talent contest, an honor won ten years ago by her older sister and unattainable role model Elain.
Acting
Hunter commits so hard you'll cringe in sympathy.
Costume
That red dress is a character with its own arc.
Director
Thomas Schlamme
Holly Hunter
Carnelle Scott
Alfre Woodard
Popeye Jackson
Mary Steenburgen
Elaine Rutledge
Tim Robbins
Delmount Williams
Scott Glenn
Mac Sam
Trey Wilson
Benjamin Drapper
Ann Wedgeworth
Miss Blue
Amy Wright
Missy Mahoney
Veanne Cox
Tessy Mahoney
Christine Lahti
Clara Archer
Bert Remsen
Mr. Morton
Kathleen Chalfant
Miss Lilly
Brent Spiner
Preacher Mann
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Beth Henley adapted her own Pulitzer-winning play; Holly Hunter originated Carnelle on stage years earlier.
The 1980s beauty pageant circuit was genuinely this unhinged — this barely exaggerates.
US
