Miss Firecracker

Carnelle (Holly Hunter), apparently dyeing her hair even-more red, takes a call from glamorous cousin Elain (Mary Steenburgen), who won the pageant she’s entering years earlier, then together they introduce Delmount (Tim Robbins), who’s just been “released,” in Miss Firecracker, 1989.

Director Thomas Schlamme begins the story as credits roll, Holly Hunter as title character Carnelle with gnarly fish processing (on location, Yazoo City, MS), then meeting pageant staff Ann Wedgworth and Trey Wilson, in Miss Firecracker, 1989, from Beth Henley’s play and screenplay.

Mississippian Carnelle (Holly Hunter), readying herself for the pageant, introduces two allies, Alfre Woodard as Popeye, who’s engaged to create her costume, and Scott Glenn as carnie Mac whom, we learn, is her itinerant boyfriend, early in Miss Firecracker. 1989.