The movie Drop Dead Gorgeous is a mockumentary-style comedy that satirizes the world of beauty pageants. The story takes place in the fictional town of Mount Rose, Minnesota, where the annual Sarah Rose Miss Teen Princess America Pageant is the biggest event of the year. The pageant is hosted by Gladys Leeman (Kirstie Alley), the wealthy and influential wife of the town's founder. Gladys is a former winner of the pageant and is determined to make sure her daughter Becky (Denise Richards) follows in her footsteps.
However, Gladys faces stiff competition from the other contestants, including Becky's main rival Amber Atkins (Kirsten Dunst). Amber is a working-class girl who dreams of a better life but is constantly ridiculed by Gladys and her cronies. As the pageant gets underway, strange things start to happen, such as the accidental death of a judge (Mo Gaffney) and a trailer fire that destroys Amber's family home.
Despite these setbacks, Amber remains determined to win the pageant and prove her worth to her skeptical mother (Ellen Barkin). She charms the judges and the audience with her singing and dancing skills, while Becky struggles to keep up and impress her demanding mother. Along the way, the mockumentary format allows for humorous interviews with various characters, such as the pageant director (Allison Janney) and a clueless news reporter (Amy Adams).
As the final round of the pageant approaches, tensions rise between Gladys and Amber, leading to a showdown that will determine the winner. Without spoiling the ending, it's safe to say that Drop Dead Gorgeous delivers plenty of laughs and surprises along the way. The movie's dark humor and biting commentary on beauty standards and small-town politics make it a cult classic that's still fondly remembered today.