🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Brian Robbins
- Genre: Comedy, Crime, Drama
- Release year: 2004
- Runtime (length): 1h 33min
- IMDb rating: 5.7/10 (72k votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 16%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A bunch of teens decide standardized testing is unfair and go full Ocean’s Eleven on the SAT, only to realize that maybe, just maybe, the real treasure was the friends they made along the way, and not the stolen test answers.
🍿 The Perfect Score: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Pressure to Perform
Kyle and Matty, two high school seniors, face immense pressure regarding their SAT scores. Kyle dreams of studying architecture at Cornell but his grades aren’t good enough, while Matty wants to attend the same college as his girlfriend, creating a sense of urgency and desperation.

The Heist is Planned
The duo learns Francesca’s father owns the building where the SATs are printed. This opportunity sparks the idea of breaking into the facility to steal the answers. Kyle convinces Francesca to join their cause, expanding their plan and bringing in much-needed insider information.

A Team Assembles
The group expands as Anna, Desmond, and Roy join the team. Each of them has their reasons for wanting to cheat, ranging from academic ambition to athletic pursuits. Their diverse skills and backgrounds form an unlikely alliance as they prepare for the heist.

The First Attempt Fails
The initial heist plan is poorly executed and quickly falls apart, highlighting the group’s inexperience and the difficulty of their endeavor. They regroup and formulate a more elaborate strategy.

The Final Heist
They execute the second plan, facing numerous obstacles and close calls. They manage to get the answers, but Matty is caught by security and arrested, adding a significant consequence to their actions.
⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Kyle (Chris Evans): The ambitious protagonist who orchestrates the SAT heist to achieve his dream of studying architecture at Cornell.
- Matty Matthews (Bryan Greenberg): Kyle’s loyal best friend who joins the heist primarily to reunite with his girlfriend in college.
- Francesca (Scarlett Johansson): A rebellious and wealthy girl who provides crucial access to the testing center due to her father’s ownership of the building.
- Anna (Erika Christensen): An overachieving student pressured by her parents to attend Brown, who gets involved in the heist out of desperation.
- Roy (Leonardo Nam): A seemingly unambitious stoner who unexpectedly proves to be a genius and a key asset to the heist.
- Desmond (Darius Miles): A star basketball player who needs a qualifying SAT score to secure a sports scholarship to St. Johns.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Roy: “You know, a lot of people would think these questions are difficult… not me. These questions all have answers.” – Roy’s comedic line highlights his unique perspective and intelligence, contrasting with his stoner persona.
- Francesca: “I’m not going to let some stupid test define who I am.” – Francesca expresses her rebellious attitude and disdain for the SAT’s importance in defining her future.
- Kyle: “We can’t let one test decide our future.” – This encapsulates the main characters’ motivation to challenge the perceived unfairness of the SAT.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $40,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $10,391,003
- Worldwide Gross: $10,898,337
💥 The Perfect Score Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so ‘The Perfect Score’ isn’t a masterpiece, but I loved it! The whole idea of trying to steal the SAT answers was hilariously appealing, especially as a former high schooler. I remember feeling the pressure of those tests, and the film captured that anxiety perfectly. Plus, seeing a young Scarlett Johansson and Chris Evans together made me smile, knowing what their careers would become. It was a fun, nostalgic watch, and I still find myself quoting Roy’s lines!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Teen movie fans”
- “Viewers interested in heist comedies”
- “Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson fans”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Teenage rebellion”
- “Mild language”
- “Theft”
Professional Reviews
- IMDb: “A fun, albeit predictable, teen heist movie. It won’t win any awards, but the cast has good chemistry, and it’s an entertaining watch if you’re looking for something lighthearted. There are some laughs and a solid message.
- Rotten Tomatoes: “The Perfect Score doesn’t quite hit the mark. It’s a harmless, predictable teen comedy with some mildly amusing moments, but ultimately forgettable. The cast tries their best, but the script lacks originality.
- Metacritic: “Though formulaic, ‘The Perfect Score’ benefits from the charms of its young cast, particularly Scarlett Johansson and Chris Evans. The movie’s take on the pressures of standardized testing is relatable, and the heist is mildly diverting.
Audience Reactions
Roy, the stoner character, provides most of the laughs with his deadpan delivery.: The comedic timing of the actors, especially Leonardo Nam, resonated with viewers.
The movie does a solid job of portraying the anxiety and stress surrounding standardized testing.: Many appreciated the film’s relatable depiction of the pressures faced by high school students.
Overall Consensus: A harmless, light-hearted teen comedy with a relatable premise and a charming cast, though it doesn’t offer much in the way of originality or depth.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “This was the first of seven films that Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson starred in together, long before their MCU fame.”
- “MTV Films co-produced the movie, aiming for a teen audience interested in a heist narrative blended with social commentary.”
- “The film attempts to blend elements of heist movies with teen angst, creating a mix of genres that was novel for its time.”
- “Filming locations included the Chemistry Building at the University of British Columbia, providing an authentic academic backdrop.”
🖥️ How to Watch The Perfect Score?
As of October 2024, The Perfect Score is available for purchase or rental on various digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check these services for rental and purchase options, or physical media availability.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed The Perfect Score, you might like these similar films:
- The Breakfast Club (1985): Explores the pressures and stereotypes faced by high school students, with diverse characters bonding over shared struggles.
- Ocean’s Eleven (2001): Features a group of individuals with unique skills coming together to execute a complex and daring heist.
- Accepted (2006): A group of high school rejects create their own fake college after getting rejected from every school they applied to.
- Better Luck Tomorrow (2002): Asian-American high school students, burdened by high expectations, turn to petty crime and face increasingly complex moral dilemmas.
🛒 The Perfect Score Related Products
- The Breakfast Club [Blu-ray]: If you liked the ‘Breakfast Club’ aspects of ‘The Perfect Score,’ revisit the original with this Blu-ray edition, featuring enhanced visuals and sound for a truly immersive viewing experience.
- Ocean’s Eleven [Blu-ray]: Want more heist action? ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ delivers slick visuals, a star-studded cast, and a thrilling caper that sets the standard for the genre. Own this movie.
- The Official SAT Study Guide, 2020 Edition: Whether inspired or horrified by the film, equip yourself with the official SAT Study Guide to ace the real thing. Packed with practice tests and expert strategies.
- Breaking into College: Find the Best College for You: Interested in a great way to get into the college of your dreams? It’s not stealing SAT exams!
🎧 Soundtrack
The Perfect Score features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Everything” – performed by Fefe Dobson
- “The Anthem” – performed by Good Charlotte
- “Because I Got High” – performed by Afroman
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
You can find The Perfect Score for rent or purchase on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu.
The Perfect Score is generally suitable for older teens, but contains some mature themes and language. Parental guidance is suggested.
The movie emphasizes the importance of integrity, hard work, and self-discovery, highlighting that success is not solely determined by standardized test scores.
🔥 Bonus Content
Low IQ Boy Always Finds Shortcut For Exams
Need a quick rundown of ‘The Perfect Score’? This video’s got you covered! It’s a fun recap that hits all the key points—perfect if you’re short on time or just want to make sure you didn’t miss anything.
Kyle and Francesca’s Cafe Scene – The Perfect Score (Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson)
Want to see some amazing on-screen chemistry? Check out this clip of Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson in ‘The Perfect Score’! Apparently, it’s Chris’s favorite scene from the movie, and honestly, I can see why!
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