This movie, featuring John Travolta And Jamie Lee Curtis, recently caught my attention, and I’ve watched it multiple times since. As a writer who studies character development in screenplays, I find it fascinating. The fact that ‘Perfect’ received a Razzie nomination for Worst Screenplay actually makes me question the validity of the Razzies rather than my opinion of the film itself.
Some reviews highlight the movie’s box office failure as proof of its poor quality. But think about other films considered classics today that were initially box office bombs, like The Thing (1982) or Blade Runner from the same year. There are numerous reasons why a film might flop, such as marketing issues. In 1985, ‘Perfect’ was released during a summer packed with huge hits like Rambo II, The Goonies, and Brewster’s Millions. Even Beverly Hills Cop, released six months prior, was still performing well.
The summer of 1985 was a crowded marketplace for movies. Into this environment, they released this character-driven story. It’s honestly hard to see how they expected it to become a major success. Kids probably wouldn’t connect with it, and even adults who were drawn in by Jamie Lee Curtis might have been expecting something different than a deep dive into character motivations.
‘Perfect’ tells the story of a reporter, played by John Travolta, who initially is portrayed as someone willing to exploit women to get a story, lacking any moral compass in his professional life. This changes when he falls for Jamie Lee Curtis‘ character, a woman he is initially trying to use for his journalistic purposes. His growing love for her challenges his self-image and forces him to reconsider his unethical behavior as he navigates the complexities of potential heartbreak.
The film is set within the world of a health club, highlighting women obsessed with achieving physical perfection, at least according to their own perceptions and societal pressures. They believe this physical ideal is the key to being loved and accepted. Thematically, it touches upon a rather tragic aspect of society. While the film doesn’t delve deeply into the cultural problem of these pressures, it’s important to remember the limited understanding of mental health in the 1980s compared to today. Considering the era, this aspect can be somewhat forgiven.
If you appreciate character-focused narratives, unlike many viewers who primarily watch mainstream blockbusters, you might find ‘Perfect’ enjoyable. The pacing is admittedly slow, and the movie spends a considerable amount of time on the aerobics sequences. While some might find these scenes gratuitous, if you can look beyond that and engage with the central character’s journey and transformation, ‘Perfect’, starring John Travolta and Jamie Lee Curtis, offers a worthwhile cinematic experience.
