for her large and loving family (Mona smiles and says "No"), while Joyce has the lead on breaking the story about Vanessa's parentage. She only later matures after seeking guidance from jailed Ruby, when Ruby refuses to fill her usual supportive role and bluntly tell Mona she needs to take care of her responsibilities in general and her daughter most of all. Mona comes to see that the pursuit of pageant fame is empty next to taking care of her family, and when she makes the MAM Final 3 she announces that she will be a role model to one little girl instead of a hero to countless strangers, confirming that she is Vanessa's mom and is withdrawing from the pageant. The judges see that the crowd is 100% in her favor, and change their rules so Mona becomes the new Miss American Miss. Joyce is left humiliated as her anti-Mona efforts, and chance to become a star TV personality, are both in ruins. Mona and Vanessa end the film having re-united with a fully exonerated Ruby and heading off to happier times. Cast Minnie Driver as Mona Hibbard/Miss Illinois Joey Lauren Adams as Ruby Stilwell Hallie Eisenberg as Vanessa Kathleen Turner as Verna Chickle Leslie Stefanson as Joyce Parkins Bridgette Wilson (Miss Teen USA 1990) as Miss Texas/Lorna Larkin Kathleen Robertson as Miss Tennessee/Wanda Love Michael McKean as Lance DeSalvo Gary Collins as Miss American Miss Pageant Host Linda Hart as Nedra Hibbard Chuti Tiu (Miss Illinois 1994, America's Junior Miss 1987) as Miss Hawaii Ali Landry (Miss USA 1996) as outgoing titleholder Belindy Lindbrook Jessica Collins (Miss New York Teen USA 1988) as Miss Lawrenceville, first runner-up at Miss Illinois Julie Condra as Miss Iowa Herta Ware as Clara Landry Allbright as Summer Colleen Rennison as Mona, age 12 Jacqueline Steiger as Ruby, age 12 Release Box office Beautiful opened in the United States on September 29, 2000 in 646 venues. It ranked number 10 at the North American box office, earning $1,409,433 in its opening weekend. Overall, the film grossed $3,157,348 in the United States and $3,169,930 worldwide. Critical reception Beautiful received generally negative reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 16% "Rotten" rating based on 64 reviews, the consensus states: "Sally Field's directing debut suffers from an inconsistent tone, implausible script, and a protagonist that critics say is one of the most loathsome to