ComedyYear1975Duration1h 53mIMDb7.1

Smile

Comedy

A social comedy about a beauty pageant for young Californian women, held annually in Santa Rosa, and how it affects the locals and participants.

Trailer

Cast

Michael Ritchie

Director

Bruce Dern

Big Bob

Barbara Feldon

Brenda

Michael Kidd

Tommy

Geoffrey Lewis

Wilson

Eric Shea

Little Bob

Nicholas Pryor

Andy

Titos Vandis

Mr. Nachos

Paul Benedict

Orren Brooks

WT

William Traylor

Ray Brandy

Dennis Dugan

Logan

DM

Dick McGarvin

Ted Farley

Adam Reed

Freddy

BT

Brad Thompson

Chuck

George Wyner

Man at Party

George Skaff

Dr. Malvert

HN

Helene Nelson

Young American Miss

Joy Carlin

Janet

Joan Prather

Robin - Young American Miss

Jerry Belson

Writer

Comments

8 Comments

#davotsegayeJun 14, 2025

So rarely do we find such a dark and acidic commentary filmed in such an exquisitely light fashion. "American Beauty" is an example of success in this genre, but the relatively obscure "Smile" reigns supreme. It lays bare all the emptiness and hypocrisy of suburban America relentlessly and without mercy, and yet somehow manages to keep itself funny and bright and rarely deals with its subject matter with an overt contempt or scorn. "Agent 99" Barbara Feldon is superb as the veneer ice-queen teen beauty pageant coordinator -- all diplomacy and smiles glossing over a charred and empty soul. (She greets the dog with smiles and kisses then ignores the husband.) Likewise, Bruce Dern portrays his vapid community leader role with perfect candor, and it becomes delicious to see him question what he perceived as the status quo. A truly classic and trail-blazing film, well directed and edited and brilliantly written and acted. Such a shame it remains so obscure and unknown. This is one of my top five favourite films and becomes richer and more intricate with each viewing. And I will never hear Nat King Cole sing the title song again and not picture the strained and pained perma-grins as the opening shot pans across the hopeful beauty contestants.

Himalayan 360May 29, 2023

source: Smile

🇲🇦ＭＪＩＮＩＮＡ🇲🇦Nov 18, 2022

Adama DansoNov 16, 2022

Smile

Nelisiwe SibiyaNov 16, 2022

My fellow commenters have done a lovely job of summing up the wonderfulness of this movie. But I don't think enough has been said about Maria O'Brien. She is the daughter of the late, great Edmond O'Brien, and she is off-the-hook funny in this movie. I knew her "whackamolehthip" was laying it on thick, and I'm just a gringa with a good accent. And then she drops the accent when talking to the stage manager: "I need red and green gels for my entrance...." "Applause, applause, applause...." Maria O'Brien is brilliant. She should be as famous as her father never was.

TesfaNov 16, 2022

Santa Rosa, California, is the true star of this great satire. Barbara Feldon is magnificent as the hard-hearted pageant dominatrix. And Bruce Dern, is the true suburban everyman. Nicholas Pryor, Michael Kidd, and Geoffrey Lewis are all brilliant in their cynical supporting roles. But, the contestants steal the show -- especially Melanie Griffith, Joan Prather, Colleen Camp, Maria O'Brien, and Annette Toole.

Mrs_Marong💞Nov 16, 2022

This wonderful comedy-drama has much the same tone as "Nashville." It's a satirical view of a place and time centering around a specific event, in this case a teenage beauty pageant. It has a couple of things "Nashville" doesn't have, however--a heart, and a great deal of affection for its flawed characters. Bruce Dern has never been sufficiently appreciated--often typed as a psycho--but he has never been better than he is here as a used-car salesman with a lot of inner torment. And Michael Kidd, the great choreographer, shows what an adept actor he can be in a supporting performance which in a perfect world would have won an Oscar, and in this imperfect one was not even nominated. Michael Ritchie, one of the most erratic of directors, here hits his career peak.

Melanie.MNov 16, 2022

As with all the great episodic ensemble films (If..., Fame, Nashville, M*A*S*H)it's the little touches that makes this film quite so deliriously wonderful e.g.: The wide-eyed girl's nervousness of the orchestra; the cop's recapture of Little Bob's two accomplices; Maria's expression as the winners of the pageant are being announced; "...and that girl had a wooden foot"; and so on. All of the cast are uniformly excellent, not one of them, major or minor, misses a beat. This is one film that invites repeated viewings, until it almost feels like an old friend. I think that we should start a campaign to get this film the recognition it deserves.

Featured Picks

Looking for more entertainment? Explore our recommended gaming hub and short-drama destination.

Instant Games

Gamixo

Play casual browser games with puzzles, cards, sports, and quick challenges ready in seconds.

Short Drama

VSKIT Drama

Watch trending mini-series, romance stories, and fresh short dramas with fast daily updates.