The movie Perfect (1985) was planned to be a bold, modern drama that would take advantage of the 1980s’ growing interest in health and fitness, the emergence of magazine journalism, and the undeniable star power of its two performers, Jamie Lee Curtis and John Travolta.James Bridges directed the movie, which was partly based on a series of Rolling Stone articles about what it’s like to be single in Los Angeles.It was a mix of investigative journalism and Hollywood theatrics.The movie had all the essential elements to be a hit: two attractive leads, a relevant locale, and a contemporary subject.But the movie didn’t go well: critics loathed it, it didn’t do well at the box office, and it was misunderstood.
The major plot in Perfect is the love affair between Jessie (played by Curtis) and Adam (played by Travolta).Jessie is an aerobics teacher who has had many problems in the past, and Adam is a journalist for Rolling Stone who writes about the singles scene in health clubs all over the US.The movie seeks to figure out how the media can be both fair and unfair, how to uncover the truth in a world that cares more about looks than facts, and how individuals desire to engage with each other in a culture that emphasizes physical perfection.
But the long aerobics segments in the movie were what truly got people’s attention and what would stick in their minds.These parts were really stylized and sexualized.Curtis led rigorous, rhythm-driven exercises in tight leotards, and Travolta either watched or participated in them with a mix of awe and interest.The camera stayed on bodies in movement, with sweat glistening, muscles tensing, and hips thrusting in ways that many people thought were comical and superfluous.The aerobics scenes took over the movie’s plot and characters for a lot of viewers.What was meant to be a serious look at media and identity transformed into a soft-focus, campy presentation.
Jamie Lee Curtis later apologized for how these scenes were handled.She put in a lot of time and effort into her part, both physically and emotionally, going through a lot of training to appropriately depict a fitness professional.She didn’t like how much the workouts focused on sexual energy, though.She told reporters that the scenes turned out to be longer and more sexual than she had planned or agreed to.The toll on her body was real; she lost over 10 pounds of muscle throughout the very rigorous shoot, which required her to keep her figure appearing sculpted and ready for the camera during the long filming schedule.
John Travolta, on the other hand, believed the movie was a little better.Even though Perfect wasn’t at the pinnacle of his career, he recalls the experience warmly, especially the chemistry he had with Curtis on screen and how much fun they had filming the now-famous dance routines.Travolta was really pleased about the role since he was still riding the wave of his dance-based fame from Saturday Night Fever and Grease.In some ways, his character’s transition from a distrustful outsider to an emotionally invested participant in the fitness industry was like his journey on set.
Jann Wenner, who helped start Rolling Stone in real life, played himself in the movie, which made it feel even more real.His involvement made the portrayal of magazine journalism more real, which made it hard to determine what was real and what was made up.But it was criticized for being too enamored with its idea: the journalist as both observer and seducer, capturing a culture while being attracted to it.
The title of the movie, Perfect, was meant to convey a deeper theme: the pursuit of physical and emotional perfection and the cost of striving to get there.Curtis’s character exemplified this struggle: she was fiercely independent, emotionally guarded, and deeply committed to her physical discipline, yet ultimately sought to connect with and comprehend people.The script intended to get into the difficult sides of beauty, but the movie’s bright, music-video-style presentation made that message hard to hear for many viewers.
Making the movie was difficult by nature.The protracted filming schedule made both the actors and crew angry.It was considerably harder since they had to focus on making things seem better and perform better physically. Curtis, in particular, had to follow a script and be shot in extreme close-up for every move he made.Even though they were difficult to watch, those scenes were the best parts of the movie.
Curtis would later admit that Perfect was a cult hit and even make light of it on a comedy show when she did her famed aerobics dance again.The piece went viral, which made people want to see the movie again and made people nostalgic for its over-the-top flair and honest intentions.Fans who admire its unintentional humor and its mix of 1980s styles have given what was once thought to be a blunder in both performers’ careers a second chance.
Perfect never became the highbrow drama it was meant to be, yet it lingers on as a time capsule of a very specific cultural age.It illustrated how preoccupied people are with being healthy, how journalism and entertainment are becoming increasingly alike, and how difficult it is to be flawless in a world where looks count.People remember this movie not for what it did, but for what it tried to be.They remember Jamie Lee Curtis and John Travolta working really hard on the aerobics floor for a movie that had a hard time finding its equilibrium.