Keep Smiling is a poignant, yet darkly comedic film that delves into the lives of numerous women in Georgia struggling to win the Miss Diamond beauty pageant, a competition that offers a life-changing opportunity to the winner. At the start of the film, we are introduced to a group of women from different backgrounds and lifestyles, all preparing for the Miss Diamond pageant. Each woman has their own reason for participating in the competition, whether it's for money, fame or the hope of a better life for themselves and their families.
Among the contestants is a heavily pregnant mother, an aspiring singer, a pampered socialite, a struggling actress and many others. As the competition progresses, tensions rise and the women begin to realize the harsh realities of their situation.
The film is a careful depiction of how society values women based on superficial beauty standards, and how these women are consequently placed in a win or lose situation where there is little room for error. The contestants are constantly compared to each other, as well as to the unrealistic beauty standards set by society, and are expected to conform to those standards at any cost. Underneath the glitz and glamour of the pageant, lie themes of desperation, exploitation and misogyny.
Each of the women in the film is beautifully flawed and complex, with their own unique personalities and stories. The film excels in its portrayal of individual struggles, and the relationships between the contestants which evolve over the course of the film. The women are forced to confront their innermost fears and motivations as they battle to stay in the competition, revealing a more candid side of themselves.
The most striking feature of the film is its ability to deliver intense drama and humor in equal measure. Moments of hilarity are found in the contrast between the absurdity of the situation and the reactions of the contestants. The women's individual quirks and misadventures are woven together seamlessly to create a vibrant, captivating narrative.
The cinematography in the film is stunning, with wide shots of Georgia's countryside and the city skyline, juxtaposed with intense close-ups of the contestants' faces. The lighting and color variations in scenes create a specific mood and tone, reflecting the intense emotional experiences of the characters.
The film is a testament to the director Rusudan Chkonia's storytelling skills, as she manages to keep the audience engaged throughout the entire runtime. The balance between the comedic and dramatic elements creates a tangible sense of tension and anticipation as the competition heats up.
Overall, Keep Smiling is a masterfully crafted film that sheds light on the dark truths behind beauty pageants, and the price that women are forced to pay in their quest for acceptance and validation. It is a film that captures the complexities of women's lives and the struggles they face, but also the strength and resilience that they possess in spite of those challenges.
Keep Smiling is a 2012 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes.
It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.
