Smile Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

Smile Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 9, 2021

Finding success making Robert Redford movies such as 1969’s “Downhill Racer” and 1972’s “The Candidate,” director Michael Ritchie found his hot streak cooled some with 1975’s “Smile,” which was basically balled up and thrown away by the distributor during its initial theatrical release. Such cruel treatment robbed Ritchie of another hit, but it didn’t stop the feature from becoming something of a cult title, gaining admiration and building a fanbase over the last 46 years. While not Ritchie’s finest endeavor, “Smile” showcases his skill with actors and controlled chaos, examining the nervous energy of a California beauty pageant and all the contestants, judges, and crew who create an event intended to celebrate femininity, only to bring out the worst in people.

The small town of Santa Rosa is hosting the Young American Miss beauty pageant, welcoming young women from all over California, competing for a cash prize and a chance to change their life. Wilson (Geoffrey Lewis) is running the event, trying to manage the demands of hotshot choreographer Tommy (Michael Kidd). Brenda (Barbara Feldon) is the contestant wrangler, keeping the young women focused on their responsibilities, also dealing with her depressed husband, Andy (Nicholas Pryor). Big Bob (Bruce Dern) is a local used car salesman who’s been selected to be the head judge, trying to take his responsibilities seriously while loosely monitoring his misbehaving son, Little Bob (Eric Shea), and Andy, his good friend. And Robin (Joan Prather) is a young contestant new to this strange world of preparation and cutthroat competition, trying to make sense of the week as she interacts with Karen (Melanie Griffith), Connie (Colleen Camp), and her roommate, pageant vet Doria (Annette O’Toole).

Part of the charm of “Smile” is how Ritchie and co-writer Jerry Belson drop viewers into the middle of the Young American Miss arrival, and while the feature doesn’t have a main character, it gets closest to Robin, a newcomer to the pageant world. She’s surrounded by hopefuls who make their way to Santa Rose for the week, embarking on a training period where the young women learn dance routines, meet with officials, and learn to live with each other. It’s a colorful group with different styles and, as we learn throughout the movie, individual takes on the definition of talent (Connie has mastered how to pack a suitcase, and proud Mexican-American Maria offers a sparkler-swinging baton act), but Robin is the audience surrogate in a way, gradually understanding what’s required of a potential winner, learning how to deal with strangers and keep her smile running all day long.

“Smile” jumps around the event, giving the movie a sharp pace for the first half, where introductions are made and motivations are launched. Big Bob has big plans for his judging debut, using his connections to the local Jaycees to make his move as a community leader, but he also deals with Andy, an alcoholic unwilling to participate in a chicken-kissing ritual that would make him part of the gang. Belson makes distinct points on the immaturity of these town leaders, who expect poise from females but can’t control themselves, and there’s the expected leering aspect to “Smile,” with Little Bob hunting for a chance to photograph the contestants as they change outfits. Ritchie also amplifies the meat market aspect of the situation, using iffy songs about male ogling to backdrop dressing room coverage.

“Smile” connects in full during pageant preparation scenes, carrying an Altman-like energy as multiple characters deal with a list of problems that arise during the week. Even the janitors are involved, rightfully worried that flushed sanitary napkins will make their job more difficult. Belson and Ritchie don’t go explicitly broad with “Smile,” but they take some satiric shots, exposing hypocrites and overzealous professionals. They also stop just short of complete mockery, remaining careful with Robin as she starts to feel the pressure of performance.

The feature doesn’t sustain its tightly wound atmosphere of dreams and doubts all the way to the end. “Smile” slows down to observe Big Bob and Andy as they make their way the deceased poultry event, and there’s a detour in a therapy session for Little Bob, which takes time away from the pageant, and the movie noticeably deflates. A deeper understanding of psychology and, for Andy, a propensity for violence, is welcome, but “Smile” occasionally follows the least interesting characters for long periods of time -- a choice that messes with the rhythm of the effort in its second half.

Smile Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is listed as a "New 2K restoration from its 35mm interpositive." It's a wonderful refreshing for the semi-obscure movie, with bright, vivid colors found throughout the viewing experience. It's enough to have pageant contestants in various shades of red, yellow, and blue, but visits to locations offer distinct hues on greenery and building decoration, and period fashion from the 1970s brings out the usual beige and gray. Makeup additions are vibrant as well. Detail reaches as far as possible, capturing fibrous outfits and a good sense of skin particulars. Interiors and exteriors offer compelling dimension. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is heavy and film-like. The source is in excellent condition, with only a few brief displays of wear and tear detected.

Smile Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix for "Smile" provides a clear understanding of dialogue exchanges, with the often chaotic nature of the performances comfortably managed, and group activity retains intended depth and nuance when it comes to overlapping dialogue. Soundtrack cues are appealingly defined with crisp instrumentation, and pronounced vocal doubling on the contestants is sharp.

Smile Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet (10 pages) contains an essay by Mike McPadden.

• Commentary features actor Pat Healy and film curator Jim Healy.

• "Dernsie's Credo" (27:51, HD) is an interview with actor Bruce Dern, who's very passionate about "Smile" and his participation in the feature. The interviewee identifies the status of his career at the time of production, coming off a failed play. Reconnecting with director Michael Ritchie after they once shared television employment, Dern describes the helmer's creative approach, sharing his confidence in actors and their talents. The hiring of cinematographer Conrad Hall is detailed, with the moviemaking legend taking on the challenge of a speedy shoot with an enormous amount of coverage, putting his salary on the line to prove how fast he could go. Dern goes into character choices, revealing one of his "Dernsy" moments, and shares his love of film trivia. Memories from the shoot are explored, with Dern lamenting the fact that Hollywood doesn't make "heartland" pictures anymore, with the actor preferring realism. He closes with some ideas on his career approach.

• Image Gallery (6:00) collects poster art, film stills, publicity shots, and BTS snaps.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (3:14, SD) is included.

Smile Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Ritchie would go on to make "The Bad News Bears," and "Smile" often plays like a prequel to the 1976 masterpiece, offering a different set of insecure, chatty young characters dealing with iffy authority figures during a pressurized period of competition. "Smile" isn't as coarse as "The Bad News Bears," but it contains the same wily tone and attention to behaviors, with Ritchie and Belson looking to capture the unpredictability of a beauty pageant event with an emphasis on comedy and strange offerings of humanity.