Dazzling Holly Hunter is full of energetic snap, crackle and pop in this gentle but satisfyingly offbeat Deep South comedy drama. Re-creating the part she made her own on stage (Crimes of the Heart writer Beth Henley adapts her own play here), Hunter plays a small-town girl with a desperate desire to win the Yazoo City beauty contest. The tale of how she makes it to the finals against all the odds is beautifully told by Henley and director Thomas Schlamme and is filled with southern eccentrics deliciously brought to scene-stealing life by the likes of Mary Steenburgen, Alfre Woodard and Tim Robbins. It may not contain many surprises, but this wonderfully sure-footed fable is full of engaging wit and wisdom.

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.