Search - Miss Firecracker

A hot tamale tries to throw off a different sort of heat in this comedy of small-town manners. Carnelle Scott (Holly Hunter) is best-known in her hometown of Yazoo City, MS, for her unrepentant promiscuity. An orphan taken in by her genteel relatives, she idolizes her older cousin, Elain Rutledge (Mary Streenburgen), a former Fourth of July "Miss Firecracker" contest winner who is taking time out from her life as a pampered wife in Atlanta to give a speech on "My Life as a Beauty" at this year's pageant. Determined to follow in Elain's footsteps, Carnelle puts a damper on her libido and enlists the help of local seamstress Popeye Jackson (Alfre Woodard) in preparing for the pageant. She also implores Elain to let her borrow the red dress in which Elain won the contest in 1972. Meanwhile, Elain's brother, ne'er-do-well Delmount Williams (Tim Robbins), arrives with a get-rich-quick scheme that involves hocking the family estate. Into this mix steps Mac Sam (Scott Glenn), one of the men who contributed to Carnelle's scandalous past. Adapted by Beth Henley from her own play The Miss Firecracker Contest, Miss Firecracker finds Hunter reprising her stage role. The actress also starred in Henley's Crimes of the Heart on Broadway, although she did not appear in the 1986 film adaptation. Woodard and Steenburgen previously appeared together in Cross Creek. Miss Firecracker was shot on-location in real-life Yazoo City. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide

Holly Hunter - Carnelle Scott
Mary Steenburgen - Elain Rutledge
Tim Robbins - Delmount Williams
Alfre Woodard - Popeye Jackson
Scott Glenn - Mac Sam

These movies have the touch and feel of Miss Firecracker...
54	Benny and Joon (PG)
7	Starting Over (R)
24	The Bear [Widescreen/Fullscreen] (PG)
8	Same Time, Next Year (PG)
38	Honeymoon in Vegas (PG-13)
3	Micki and Maude (PG-13)
79	A River Runs Through It [Widescreen/Fullscreen] (PG)
4	The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (PG)
2	Strangers in Good Company (PG)
22	Straight Talk (PG)
14	The Goodbye Girl (PG)
20	Summer Rental [Widescreen] (PG)
These movies have the subject or theme of Miss Firecracker...
2	Dr. Christian Meets the Women
22	Straight Talk (PG)
4	Things Change (PG)
11	Leap of Faith (PG-13)
6	Mo' Money (R)
S	Seven Thieves
1	Buster Keaton Collection (NR)
21	Victor/Victoria [20th Anniversary Celebration] (PG)
42	Three Men and a Baby (PG)
13	Soapdish (PG-13)
113	Short Circuit (PG)
These movies share cast/crew with Miss Firecracker...
1	End of the Line (PG)
68	Raising Arizona (PG-13)
1	Hard Promise (PG)
2	No Small Affair (R)
14	Swing Shift (PG)
8	The Player (R)
6	Nashville (R)
3	Daddy's Dyin'... Who's Got the Will (PG-13)
48	Bull Durham (R)
5	Once Around (R)
6	Bob Roberts (R)
7	Stardust Memories (PG)
S	Cross Creek (PG)
13	Broadcast News (R)
17	The Accidental Tourist (PG)
27	Green Card (PG-13)
5	Crossing Delancey (PG)
These movies cover the same subjects as Miss Firecracker...
13	Broadcast News (R)
27	Home for the Holidays (PG-13)
These movies are similar to Miss Firecracker...
8	Crimes of the Heart (PG-13)
74	Doc Hollywood (PG-13)
4	Nadine (PG)
S	Smile (PG)
69	Steel Magnolias (PG)
4	True Stories (PG)
1	Cookie's Fortune (PG-13)
53	Election (R)
56	Drop Dead Gorgeous (PG-13)
17	Crazy in Alabama (PG-13)
3	Committed (R)
39	Nurse Betty (R)
3	Beautiful (PG-13)
49	Best in Show (PG-13)
5	A Slipping Down Life (R)
83	The Good Girl (R)
10	Harper Valley P.T.A. (PG)
S	Screen Door Jesus (R)