Summary
Overview
A lively dissection of the 1985 film 'Perfect' starring John Travolta and Jamie Lee Curtis, which follows a Rolling Stone reporter investigating LA's aerobics gym culture. The hosts are baffled by the film's excessive runtime, unedited driving sequences, prolonged aerobics scenes, and convoluted subplots involving journalistic integrity, while finding comedic gold in its 80s excess, questionable character motivations, and Travolta's commitment to incredibly short shorts.
The Aggressively Unedited Film Experience
The hosts immediately identify Perfect's most distinctive quality: nothing is cut. Every mundane action, from driving to the courthouse to complete aerobics classes, is shown in real-time. This creates an almost hypnotic viewing experience where a simple gym tour becomes a 45-minute odyssey through every piece of equipment. The film's refusal to edit extends to phone conversations shown over static building shots and Travolta's detailed note-taking that viewers can barely read.
- The film shows complete driving sequences from courthouse to jail, with both characters driving the same route from different angles
- Aerobics classes are shown in their entirety, making the film usable as an actual workout video
- Every phone call is picked up on the first ring throughout the movie
" I never laughed so hard because you see it and you're like, oh, well, this will be the end of this sequence. And then they'll cut to him at the jail. No. Not only did they do his whole sequence of getting there, getting there, getting there. But then Jamie Lee Curtis also getting there, getting there, there. And it's the same angle. "
Jamie Lee Curtis: Aerobics Goddess in Stockings
Jamie Lee Curtis underwent extreme physical preparation, eating only one meal per day and training constantly. The film features her leading multiple complete aerobics classes in what appears to be stockings worn under high-cut leotards. Despite being the most popular instructor at LA's hottest gym, she apparently doesn't work weekends and casually takes ski trips to Mammoth. Her character's relationship with aerobics is later revealed to be secondary to her true passion: swimming.
- Curtis lost 10 pounds of muscle between shooting the opening aerobics scenes and the closing credits workout
- All aerobics participants appear to be wearing stockings under their leotards, creating multiple layers of unnatural fibers
- The gym contains only people with perfect bodies - nobody is shown in transition or getting into shape
" There's just too much glutes in that class. That's not responsible. I didn't see any cool down. I didn't see any stretch. "
" She shattered his glutes from all that...he literally can't get out of bed the next morning after his aerobics. "
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