A captivating John Travolta, alongside a provocatively dressed Jamie Lee Curtis participating in an aerobics class, in an 80s film with a budget of $20 million — what could possibly go awry?
Well, quite a bit, as it turns out.
Here is the narrative of the film that appeared to have all the elements of success but ultimately fell short for several unexpected reasons.
When John Travolta and Jamie Lee Curtis were revealed as the leading actors of Perfect in 1985, few could have anticipated that the film would fail. Both were at the pinnacle of their careers, adored by audiences and highly coveted in Hollywood.
With director James Bridges steering the project and Columbia Pictures investing a substantial $20 million, it seemed like a surefire success. However, fast forward to the film’s release, and it became one of the most significant letdowns in Hollywood history. It only earned $12.9 million globally.
Perfect also received nominations for three Golden Raspberry Awards, including Worst Actor (Travolta), Worst Supporting Actress (Marilu Henner), and Worst Screenplay —ouch! Additionally, it was recognized for Worst Picture at the Stinkers Bad Movie Awards.
For those who may have forgotten, Perfect narrates the tale of journalist Adam Lawrence, who is tasked with interviewing a successful entrepreneur suspected of drug trafficking. However, it is his second assignment — an exposé on fitness clubs — that introduces him to Jessie Wilson (Jamie Lee Curtis), an aerobics instructor who harbors a strong disdain for journalists.
So, what went awry? Let us explore the errors and intriguing facts that contributed to this film being a perfect disaster.
Some critics labeled Perfect as one of the most unintentionally campy films of the 1980s, filled with peculiar choices that rendered it both absurd and oddly captivating. From John Travolta’s excessively revealing gym shorts to the numerous shots of aerobics classes that resembled softcore fitness pornography, the film radiated a peculiar energy that critics found impossible to overlook.
One particularly notable aerobics scene — brimming with more pelvic thrusts than anyone deemed feasible — likely contributed to the film receiving its R rating. This aspect was not well received by Jamie Lee Curtis, but we will delve into that later in the article.
The gym sequences, showcasing gratuitous close-ups of crotches and glistening physiques, only intensified what some referred to as the movie’s “strange gay vibe”—accompanied by a soundtrack featuring Whitney Houston, Jermaine Jackson, Berlin, and Wham.
Variety did not hold back in its critique, offering one of the most scathing assessments of Perfect:
“On any level, ‘Perfect’ is an embarrassment and unlikely to satisfy any audience.
Today, if individuals recall Perfect for any reason, it is primarily due to Jamie Lee Curtis portraying the quintessential aerobics instructor. As Jessie Wilson, the self-assured and charming workout expert, she quickly became a sex symbol, enchanting viewers with her athletic prowess and vivacity.
Jamie Lee Curtis expressed her enthusiasm for being involved in the film, stating, “I’m an athletic person, a minor sort of closet jock. Whenever I would take an exercise class, I would envision myself leading one. While I was certainly fascinated by the narrative, my primary excitement stemmed from collaborating with these individuals.”
She dedicated months to training prior to the commencement of filming, with all aerobics sequences shot first, followed by the dramatic scenes. By the time they recorded the final workout scene during the credits, Curtis, who consumed only one meal daily, had actually shed 10 pounds of muscle.
Additionally, she filmed a music video with Jermaine Jackson to promote the film. Such commitment is commendable!
In the mid-1980s, John Travolta was immensely popular—at least, he had been just a few years prior. By the late 1970s, he had risen to become one of the most prominent movie stars globally, thanks to Saturday Night Fever (1977) and Grease (1978). He was a cultural icon, a heartthrob, and a box office sensation.
However, by the time Perfect (1985) was released, his career had begun to decline. Despite the film being a box-office disappointment that temporarily hindered John Travolta’s career, he harbors no regrets about participating in Perfect.
For him, the opportunity to collaborate with director James Bridges once more and the friendships he developed with the cast were the most rewarding aspects.
On the other hand, critics were not particularly generous, with some even stating, “Honestly, the entire film seems like merely a collection of scenes featuring Jamie Lee Curtis and John Travolta exercising.”
After Perfect, John Travolta unexpectedly stepped away from the film industry, not making his return until 1989 with The Experts and Look Who’s Talking. It would take four years before audiences would see him in another movie, marking one of the longest intervals in his acting career.
When director James Bridges embarked on the project Perfect, an adaptation of Aaron Latham’s screenplay about a Rolling Stone journalist, the production was initially scheduled for 81 days. However, that timeline was quickly abandoned, and the film ultimately required an astonishing 140 days to finish.
Jamie Lee Curtis, accustomed to the rapid pace of low-budget productions, was not particularly pleased with the prolonged schedule. In a 1984 interview with The Boston Globe, she humorously remarked:
“This hasn’t been the quickest production I’ve ever participated in. We could likely have filmed every movie I’ve ever done in the time it’s taken to complete this one.”
Another indication of the significant resources and time allocated to the film: Since it was not feasible to film the Rolling Stone scenes at the magazine’s headquarters in New York, a nearly identical, two-story replica of the offices was constructed on two soundstages at Laird International Studios in Los Angeles.
Director James Bridges, however, defended the protracted process, stating:
“When all is said and done, when everything is assembled and we’re prepared to present the film, that will be the true test – if it’s correct, then we didn’t spend too much time filming. But if it’s incorrect, no amount of time in the world can rectify it. The audience will inform us at the box office.”
Today, we know the answer.
One of the most unexpected performances in Perfect did not originate from a Hollywood actor — it was delivered by Jann Wenner, the genuine co-founder and editor of Rolling Stone magazine. Portraying Mark Roth, the editor of Travolta’s character in the film, Wenner infused a degree of authenticity that even veteran actors struggled to replicate.
Wenner did not merely step onto the set and assume the role—he underwent a complete screen test alongside John Travolta! When questioned about the film’s realism, he was candid:
“Dead-on accurate. Naturally, some liberties are taken, but Jim’s films are generally journalistic in that they observe a scene and report it faithfully.”
Wenner also expressed his hope that the film would dispel certain misconceptions regarding Rolling Stone, stating:
“I believe the film portrays Rolling Stone as it truly is. I think that the movie will clarify Rolling Stone for many individuals who may hold misconceptions about its nature.”
Whether Perfect actually achieved that is subject to discussion — however, Wenner’s performance? Remarkably impressive.
What did the title Perfect represent for Jamie Lee Curtis? For her, it was not about being flawless but rather about personal freedom.
She articulated: “There is no such thing as perfection, but I believe that perfection embodies the right of individuals to be whoever they wish to be. That is what I consider perfect. Moreover, the fact that individuals are entitled to that right is what [my character] Jessie advocates for in the film. Upholding one’s right to be whoever you desire to be is the essence of Jessie Wilson.”
“Perfect” was a highly commercial yuppie drama focused on journalism and health clubs, yet the discussions surrounding the film often revolved around Jamie Lee Curtis, with remarks such as: “You’ve got to see her body!”
The aerobics sequences in Perfect (1985) gained infamy due to their suggestive content, featuring Jamie Lee Curtis in leotards that varied from revealing to nearly transparent.
Her hip-bending, pelvis-thrusting movements in these scenes were perceived by many as crossing the line, transitioning from merely suggestive to overtly lewd.
Curtis herself expressed her dissatisfaction with how these scenes were portrayed.
View this post on Instagram
“They’re intended to serve as substitute love scenes,” she remarked in a 1984 interview in New York. “However, in a sense, the scenes come across as more pornographic than if I were completely naked. This is my significant disappointment regarding the film. I believe the scenes linger too long. And because the essence of them is emphasized so strongly, I think that perhaps if you witnessed (me) making love, it might appear a bit softer.”
When Curtis requested that the scenes be shortened, she was informed that they had already been edited. This behind-the-scenes reality concerning the notorious aerobics sequences illustrates how the film’s provocative aspects transcended mere narrative elements — they became a central focus, which Curtis found disheartening.
Despite her legendary role, Jamie Lee Curtis had more pressing issues than her status as a sex symbol. As she openly stated, “That’s been my greatest challenge since I began… I never received any formal training as an actress.
Yet, at 18, I participated in this small horror film (Halloween) that turned out to be an enormous success.” Curtis elaborated on how she found herself in more horror films, even engaging in nude scenes, but assured that moving forward, “that’s going to be a point of negotiation for me.”
View this post on Instagram
In a 1985 interview with the Chicago Tribune, Jamie Lee Curtis revealed that after appearing nude in two prior films, she felt relieved that her role in Perfect did not necessitate nudity. She wished that her days of undressing on screen were behind her — and indeed, they were. With the exception of a brief glimpse of nipple in The Tailor of Panama (2001), she has not appeared nude on screen since.
Despite Perfect receiving harsh criticism and poor reviews upon release, it has since gained a cult following.
It’s even listed in John Wilson’s The Official Razzie Movie Guide as one of ”The 100 Most Enjoyably Bad Movies Ever Made.”
Quentin Tarantino also praised the film in a 1994 Rolling Stone interview, calling it ”greatly under-appreciated due to Curtis’ very tight performance.” Not too shabby!
Almost four decades after her appearance in Perfect, Jamie Lee Curtis demonstrated that she still possesses the skills – and a delightful sense of humor to accompany them. Collaborating with Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show, Curtis revived the iconic aerobics scene from the 1985 film, bringing the hip-thrusting choreography back to life in a comical and exaggerated performance.
Accompanied by Jermaine Jackson and Whitney Houston’s 1985 hit “Shock Me,” the skit begins with Curtis donning her signature striped one-piece as she leads an aerobics class. Fallon, stepping into the role originally played by John Travolta, joins her in a sweaty display, imitating the notorious moves – and indeed, there is an abundance of thrusting involved.
The comedy took an absurd turn when Fallon opted to send Curtis a video showcasing his own dance moves. Curtis, ever the professional, retrieved her phone from her form-fitting outfit and blew him a kiss, before sensually nibbling on pizza and pouring champagne over herself. Naturally, she maintained her rhythm with her hip rolls.
The duo escalated their antics with even more outrageous behavior, culminating in Fallon releasing a dove from his shorts and Curtis introducing a defibrillator to revive a “dead body” to join the routine. Fallon, evidently impressed by the original, humorously remarked on the scene’s duration: “That scene went on – I’m not kidding – for like five minutes, right?”
To which Curtis, chuckling, responded, “No, no, that scene went on like seven minutes!”
It is evident that Curtis has not lost her flair – or her sense of humor – demonstrating that even decades later, her Perfect aerobics scene will forever be memorable.
I do not intend to assert that Perfect is a cinematic masterpiece, but I believe it is more enjoyable than its reputation implies. I have always admired both John Travolta and Jamie Lee Curtis, and there is a unique charm to their performances in this film. What truly astonished me, however, was learning about Jamie Lee Curtis’s genuine feelings regarding those notorious aerobics scenes.
