As it turns out, quite a lot.
Here’s the story of how Perfect had all the right ingredients for success. Even though ended up as one of Hollywood’s most notorious misfires.
A Star-Studded Flop
When Perfect was announced in 1985, expectations were high. John Travolta and Jamie Lee Curtis were at the peak of their careers. With Columbia Pictures backing the project, it seemed destined to be a hit. But instead of box office glory, the film grossed just $12.9 million worldwide and was nominated for multiple Golden Raspberry Awards, including Worst Actor (Travolta) and Worst Screenplay.
At its core, Perfect follows journalist Adam Lawrence (Travolta), who’s assigned to write about fitness clubs, leading him to aerobics instructor Jessie Wilson (Curtis). While the premise had potential, the execution left critics unimpressed, with Variety calling it “an embarrassment.”
The Infamous Aerobics Scenes
If there’s one thing Perfect is remembered for, it’s the aerobics scenes—specifically, the overtly suggestive choreography. Critics and audiences alike were caught off guard by the film’s emphasis on pelvic thrusts, skin-tight leotards, and close-up shots that bordered on risqué.
Jamie Lee Curtis, despite her enthusiasm for the role, later expressed disappointment over how these scenes were handled. She once remarked, “They’re supposed to be substitute love scenes, but in a way, they’re more pornographic than if I were naked.”
Behind the Scenes: Curtis’ Physical Transformation
To prepare for the role, Curtis trained intensively for months. The aerobics scenes were filmed first, and by the time production wrapped, she had lost 10 pounds of muscle. She also teamed up with Jermaine Jackson for a music video promoting the film, demonstrating her full commitment to the project.
John Travolta’s Career Slump
For Travolta, Perfect came at a time when his once-red-hot career was cooling down. After back-to-back hits with Saturday Night Fever and Grease, he struggled to maintain his box-office dominance. While Perfect may have been a setback, Travolta later said he had no regrets about taking the role, valuing the friendships and experience he gained from the film.
A Cult Following and an Unexpected Praise
Despite its initial failure, Perfect has since gained a cult following, landing on The Official Razzie Movie Guide’s list of “The 100 Most Enjoyably Bad Movies Ever Made.” Even Quentin Tarantino defended the film, calling it “greatly under-appreciated due to Curtis’ very tight performance.”
Nearly 40 years later, Curtis proved she still has a sense of humor about it all. Appearing on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, she hilariously recreated her iconic aerobics scene—leotard, hip thrusts, and all.
Rethinking Perfect
While Perfect will never be considered a cinematic masterpiece, its legacy remains intriguing. Jamie Lee Curtis’ mixed feelings about the aerobics scenes highlight the blurred lines between playful and exploitative moments in 80s cinema. Looking back, should we view these scenes differently? It’s a discussion worth having.
What do you think—was Perfect unfairly judged, or was it doomed from the start?
