Miss Juneteenth

7/10 - this entertaining and important film akes for good Juneteenth viewing and gives a spotlight to the culturally significant pageant in a place you might not expect it.

Nicole Beharie shines as an African American mother who wants her teenage duaghter ("Chikaeze") to win the Miss Juneteenth pageant and take advantage of the opportunities she was not able to seize in her own life. Peoples uses a delicate touch to tell this touching mother daughter story, and deserves a lot of praise as a first time director.

It is an engaging film about a woman who is working very hard to make ends meet, while also grooming her daughter to be a pageant queen. I feel for her experiences.

This is my first review here, and I'm primarily writing because the current rating seems so off to me! I found the story and characters very compelling, and found myself wanting to know more about what happens next after the film ended. The cinematography was beautiful, especially the juxtaposition between pageant pomp and poshness vs small town Texas scenes. The sense of community was portrayed with tenderness and clarity without being too forced or obvious. It's refreshing to see full and flawed characters - but who we still cheer for and want to see succeed. Definitely recommend this film.

Nicole Behari's eyes sold the entire movie. Absolutely amazing.