The 1985 film Perfect promised to be a cinematic success, boasting a star-studded cast, a massive $20 million budget, and a backdrop of America’s obsession with fitness culture. With John Travolta and Jamie Lee Curtis leading the way, the film had everything it needed to thrive. Yet, instead of being a blockbuster, it became one of Hollywood’s most notorious flops.
One of the most unforgettable aspects of the movie? The over-the-top aerobics scenes that sparked laughter, controversy, and even regret from the film’s leading lady. So, what really went wrong? Let’s break down the strange and fascinating story behind Perfect’s infamous aerobics sequences.
How Perfect Became One of Hollywood’s Biggest Disasters
When Perfect hit theaters in 1985, expectations were sky-high. John Travolta was a massive star, and Jamie Lee Curtis was gaining momentum in Hollywood. The film, directed by James Bridges, was based on a real-life Rolling Stone article about fitness clubs becoming the new singles scene. It should have been a hit.
Instead, it bombed.
✔ Box Office Disaster – The film grossed just $12.9 million worldwide, a far cry from its $20 million budget.
✔ Harsh Criticism – Critics slammed the film’s awkward pacing, forced romance, and bizarre aerobics scenes.
✔ Award Nominations (for the Wrong Reasons) – The film was nominated for multiple Golden Raspberry Awards, including Worst Actor (Travolta), Worst Supporting Actress (Marilu Henner), and Worst Screenplay.
Despite its failure, Perfect found a second life thanks to its unintentionally campy aerobics sequences—scenes that Jamie Lee Curtis later admitted she wasn’t happy with.
The Aerobics Scenes That Made Perfect Infamous
If people remember Perfect for anything, it’s the aerobics sequences. These weren’t just regular workout montages; they were intense, hypersexualized, and filled with more pelvic thrusts than anyone expected.
One scene, in particular, featured Jamie Lee Curtis leading an aerobics class, aggressively thrusting her hips while John Travolta, decked out in tight gym shorts, followed along. The scene was so over-the-top that it became one of the most talked-about moments of the film.
✔ Excessive Close-Ups – The camera fixated on sweaty bodies, tight gym shorts, and suggestive movements, making the workouts feel more risqué than fitness-oriented.
✔ Critics’ Harsh Reviews – Variety described the film as “an embarrassment unlikely to satisfy any audience.”
✔ Unexpected Legacy – The scene went viral decades later, being labeled as one of the most unintentionally hilarious movie moments of the ‘80s.
So, how did Jamie Lee Curtis feel about all of this?
Video: Jamie Lee Curtis Reveals Never-Before-Seen Footage of Aerobic Fitness Scene from Perfect
Jamie Lee Curtis’s Disappointment Over the Aerobics Scenes
While Jamie Lee Curtis fully committed to her role as Jessie Wilson, an aerobics instructor, she later admitted she wasn’t thrilled with how the workout sequences turned out.
In a 1984 interview, Curtis revealed:
“They’re supposed to be substitute love scenes. But in a way, they’re almost more suggestive than if I were naked.”
She pushed for the scenes to be toned down but was told that they had already been edited to be less provocative.
Her frustration didn’t end there. During filming, Curtis trained intensely for months, eating just one meal a day, which led her to lose 10 pounds of muscle. Despite her dedication, the film’s emphasis on her body rather than her performance left her feeling disappointed.
John Travolta’s Reaction: No Regrets?
John Travolta, who was still trying to hold onto his superstar status in the mid-’80s, took a different approach. While Perfect didn’t help his career, he never publicly expressed regret about the film.
In fact, he saw it as an opportunity to work with director James Bridges again. However, critics weren’t as forgiving. Some reviews even joked that the movie felt like “just a bunch of scenes of Jamie Lee Curtis and John Travolta working out.”
Travolta’s career took a hit after Perfect, and he wouldn’t make a major comeback until Look Who’s Talking (1989) and Pulp Fiction (1994).
The Longest Film Shoot Ever?
One of the biggest behind-the-scenes surprises of Perfect was just how long it took to shoot.
✔ Planned Schedule – Initially, the film was supposed to wrap in 81 days.
✔ Actual Timeline – The production stretched to 140 days, frustrating the cast and crew.
✔ Replica Rolling Stone Office – Instead of filming at Rolling Stone’s headquarters in New York, Columbia Pictures built an exact replica of the office in Los Angeles, adding to production costs.
Jamie Lee Curtis later joked about the long shoot, saying:
“We could probably have shot every movie I’ve ever made in the time it’s taken to do this one.”
Clearly, the extended timeline didn’t help the final product.
Video: Jamie Lee Curtis and Jimmy Recreate “Perfect” Aerobic Fitness Scene | The Tonight Show
The Real Meaning Behind Perfect’s Title
Despite the movie’s focus on aerobics and journalism, Jamie Lee Curtis believed the title Perfect wasn’t about fitness or success. Instead, she saw it as a message about personal freedom.
She explained:
“There’s no such thing as being perfect, but I think that perfection is the right that people have to be whatever they want to be.”
That message, however, was overshadowed by the film’s awkward romance, campy aerobics sequences, and a plot that couldn’t quite decide what it wanted to be.
Quentin Tarantino’s Unexpected Praise
Despite its failure, Perfect has gained a cult following over the years. It’s even listed in The Official Razzie Movie Guide as one of “The 100 Most Enjoyably Bad Movies Ever Made.”
Surprisingly, Quentin Tarantino has defended the film. In a 1994 interview with Rolling Stone, he called it “greatly underappreciated” and praised Jamie Lee Curtis’s performance.
Even though critics weren’t kind to Perfect, Tarantino’s endorsement has given the film some unexpected credibility.
Jamie Lee Curtis Recreates the Aerobics Scene—Years Later!
Decades after Perfect’s release, Jamie Lee Curtis proved she hasn’t lost her sense of humor. She appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and recreated her iconic aerobics scene, complete with exaggerated hip thrusts and ‘80s-inspired moves.
✔ Set to ‘Shock Me’ by Jermaine Jackson & Whitney Houston – The same song used in Perfect.
✔ Hilarious Dance Battle – Fallon and Curtis competed to see who could nail the most ridiculous moves.
✔ Fan Nostalgia – The clip went viral, proving that Perfect’s aerobics scenes still have a bizarre appeal.
If nothing else, this moment confirmed that Perfect will always be remembered—even if it wasn’t for the reasons its creators intended.
Final Thoughts: A Campy Cult Classic
While Perfect was far from a success at the box office, it has cemented itself as an unforgettable piece of ‘80s pop culture. From the awkward aerobics sequences to the unintended comedy, the film has achieved a level of fame it never expected.
So, was Perfect actually perfect? Far from it. But its legacy lives on, and for better or worse, those infamous aerobics scenes will never be forgotten.
