Mona (Minnie Driver) never dreamed of anything else but wearing the "Miss American Miss" crown. Inspired by that ambition, she uses quirky outfits, self-promotion and a flaming baton-twirling controversy to propel herself from mere consolation awards to the Miss Illinois title. Now Mona has a shot at her destiny, but an unusual circumstance teams her with a soccer-playing, deep dimpled little girl, Vanessa (Hallie Kate Eisenberg). A hilarious campaign of photo op mishaps ensues. At a moment of truth, both Mona and Vanessa find something entirely more beautiful.