When Perfect hit theaters in 1985, it had everything Hollywood could dream of: two megastars at the peak of their careers, a respected director, a $20+ million budget, and a storyline riding the hottest trend of the decade.
John Travolta and Jamie Lee Curtis led the cast, while James Bridges—fresh off hits like Urban Cowboy—took the director’s chair. Columbia Pictures expected packed theaters and glowing reviews. Instead, the film became a box-office flop, racked up multiple Razzie nominations, and earned a reputation as a cinematic curiosity remembered for its unintended humor as much as its star power.
The Plot: Journalism, Romance, and Aerobics Mania
Travolta plays Adam Lawrence, a Rolling Stone reporter covering two stories: a shady entrepreneur allegedly involved in drugs and the booming fitness-club craze sweeping America. Enter Curtis as Jessie Wilson, a dedicated aerobics instructor wary of reporters.
The film juggles:
- Journalism ethics
- Romantic tension
- Fitness culture satire
- Commentary on fame and media sensationalism
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