Perfect Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A reporter, played by John Travolta, has to decide between true love with Jamie Lee Curtis and protecting his source, or he can write about spandex and sweat.

🍿 Perfect: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Setup: A Reporter’s Double Assignment

Adam Lawrence (John Travolta), a Rolling Stone reporter, is juggling two stories. One involves Joseph MacKenzie, a businessman accused of drug dealing. The other is a lighter piece about health clubs as the new singles scene in Los Angeles. This sets the stage for a conflict between hard-hitting journalism and superficial trends. Adam travels to Los Angeles to investigate both stories. He connects with The Sports Connection, a health club where he meets Jessie Wilson (Jamie Lee Curtis), a charismatic aerobics instructor. Jessie is initially wary of journalists due to a past experience, creating tension and intrigue.

Ethics and Relationships Collide

Adam begins to form a relationship with Jessie while simultaneously pursuing his story on the health club. He promises to write a positive piece, but his editor pressures him to focus on the more sensational aspects. This creates a moral dilemma for Adam, as he struggles to balance his professional ambitions with his personal feelings for Jessie. The conflict escalates when Jessie discovers Adam has been secretly recording their conversations and plans to write a negative expose. Feeling betrayed, she breaks off their relationship and deletes his article from his computer.

Betrayal and Redemption

Adam rewrites the article with a more positive spin, but his editor secretly assigns another writer to create the sensationalized story he initially promised. The article is published with Jessie’s photo and details of her past affair, devastating her. Adam, realizing the harm he has caused, confronts his editor, resulting in a physical altercation. Ultimately, Adam is subpoenaed to testify against MacKenzie and refuses to reveal his sources, leading to his imprisonment. This act of integrity signals his redemption and shift in priorities.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Adam Lawrence (John Travolta): An ambitious Rolling Stone reporter caught between journalistic ethics and a burgeoning romance while writing an exposé on health clubs.
• Jessie Wilson (Jamie Lee Curtis): A fiercely independent aerobics instructor who is wary of reporters due to past experiences but finds herself falling for Adam.
• Mark Roth (Jann Wenner): The demanding and ethically flexible editor of Rolling Stone who pushes Adam for sensational stories.
• Linda Slater (Laraine Newman): A promiscuous health club member desperate for love and attention, eager to be featured in Adam’s article.
• Joe McKenzie (Kenneth Welsh): A well-off entrepreneur accused of drug-dealing, whom Adam attempts to interview for a career-making story.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Jessie: “What’s wrong with wanting to be the best you can be? What’s wrong with wanting to be perfect? What’s wrong with wanting to be loved?” – Jessie passionately defends her pursuit of perfection and the desire to be loved for her efforts.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $19,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $12,918,858
• Worldwide Gross: $12,918,858

💥 Perfect Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so *Perfect* is far from perfect. I went in expecting a guilty pleasure, but honestly, it was more cringe than charm. The aerobics scenes were… intense, and not in a good way. Jamie Lee Curtis looks amazing, but the plot is all over the place. I laughed more at the fashion than with the movie. The ending was a letdown, but if you want to see Travolta in some questionable workout gear, go for it.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of 1980s nostalgia”
  • “Those interested in films about journalism and media ethics”
  • “Viewers who enjoy John Travolta and Jamie Lee Curtis”
  • “Individuals fascinated by the fitness culture of the 1980s”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Brief nudity in male striptease scene”
  • “Suggestive dance moves and sexual innuendo”
  • “Themes of infidelity and journalistic exploitation”
  • “Mild language”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Perfect is a disaster. Muddled plot, unlikeable characters, and excessive aerobics make this a workout to endure rather than enjoy.
• AllMovie: “A movie that tries to be too many things at once – a social commentary, a romance, and an exposé – ultimately failing at all. The aerobics scenes, while energetic, feel gratuitous and distract from the already weak plot.
• Variety: “Despite the star power of Travolta and Curtis, Perfect fails to ignite. The film’s unfocused narrative and heavy reliance on 80s fitness trends make it a dated and ultimately unsatisfying viewing experience.

Audience Reactions

The aerobics scenes and 80’s fashion provide campy entertainment.: Many viewers found the film unintentionally funny due to its outdated depiction of 80s culture and fitness trends.

Jamie Lee Curtis shines despite the film’s flaws.: Jamie Lee Curtis’ performance and physical appearance were praised as highlights, though not enough to save the film.

Overall Consensus: Generally considered a poorly executed and dated film, though some find unintentional humor and nostalgic value in its portrayal of 80s fitness culture.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Even though the film was a major box-office failure and temporarily derailed John Travolta’s A-list career, he claims he doesn’t regret doing it, mostly due to his friendships with the cast and the chance to work again with James Bridges.”
• “Real-life Rolling Stone editor Jann Wenner plays Mark Roth, the editor of the magazine in the film.”
• “The movie attempts to capture the fitness craze of the 1980s and the cultural shift towards health clubs as social hubs.”

🖥️ How to Watch Perfect?

As of today, “Perfect” is available for purchase or rental on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check listings for specific availability in your region. You can also find DVD and Blu-ray copies through online retailers such as Amazon, although physical media availability may vary.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Perfect, you might like these similar films:

• Staying Alive (1983): Another John Travolta film exploring a subculture (dance) and his character’s ambition, though with a different tone and reception.
• Urban Cowboy (1980): Also directed by James Bridges and starring John Travolta, it explores a different subculture (country western bars and dancing) with similar themes of romance and self-discovery.
• Flashdance (1983): A quintessential 80s film centered around dance and pursuing a dream, capturing the zeitgeist of the era.
• Showgirls (1995): Another movie trying to capture the excesses and the people seeking fame.

🛒 Perfect Related Products

• Perfect – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Relive the 80s with the official soundtrack, featuring iconic tracks from Jermaine Jackson and Berlin. Available for digital download.
• 80s Workout Costume Set: Dress like Jamie Lee Curtis in this 80s-inspired workout set, complete with leotard, leg warmers, and sweatband. Perfect for costume parties!
• John Travolta Movie Poster Collection: Own a piece of movie history with a collection of posters featuring John Travolta’s iconic roles, including *Perfect*. A must-have for any Travolta fan.
• Retro Aerobics Exercise DVD: Get fit with 80s-inspired aerobics routines, just like in *Perfect*. Enjoy classic moves and music for a fun and energetic workout.

🎧 Soundtrack

Perfect features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “(Closest Thing To) Perfect” – performed by Jermaine Jackson
• “Masquerade” – performed by Berlin

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Joe Rogan Reacts To Perfect Movie Scene

Ever wonder what Joe Rogan thinks about 80s movies? Check out his reaction to a scene from ‘Perfect’ – it’s surprisingly insightful and, honestly, pretty hilarious!

✨ Rate