The Perfect Man (2005)

User Rating:

5.1/10   

Director:

Mark Rosman

Writers (WGA):

Michael McQuown (story) &
Heather Robinson (story) ...

Release Date:

17 June 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family | Romance

Tagline:

The story of a family that wanted it all. Never settle

Plot:

Teenager Holly Hamilton is tired of moving every time her single mom Jean has another personal meltdown involving yet another second-rate guy...

Plot Keywords:

Mother | Perfect Man | Suitor | Male Female Relationship | Bakery

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Hilary Duff	...	Holly Hamilton
Heather Locklear	...	Jean Hamilton
Chris Noth	...	Ben Cooper
Mike O'Malley	...	Lenny Horton
Ben Feldman	...	Adam Forrest
Vanessa Lengies	...	Amy Pearl
Caroline Rhea	...	Gloria
Kym Whitley	...	Dolores
Aria Wallace	...	Zoe Hamilton
Carson Kressley	...	Lance
Michelle Nolden	...	Amber
Maggie Castle	...	Wichita Girl
Gerry Mendicino	...	Market Co-Worker
James McGowan	...	Jean's Suitor
Philip Akin	...	English Teacher

MPAA:

Rated PG for some mildly suggestive content.

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Philippines:PG-13 | Singapore:PG | Finland:K-3 | Argentina:Atp | Netherlands:AL (DVD rating) | Spain:T | Iceland:L | Malaysia:U | USA:PG | Australia:PG | UK:PG | Ireland:PG

Filming Locations:

Brooklyn Bridge, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

The instant messenger used in the movie is MSN Messenger 6.5

Goofs:

Continuity: When Amy takes the picture of her Uncle Ben to make him say "Cheese" he has his head straight up and his teeth showing. But when Jean looks at the picture later he has his head tilted and his mouth closed.

Quotes:

Jean Hamilton: Have you see these lines? I am in a race against time here. Scan it!

Movie Connections:

References Bambi (1942)

Soundtrack:

Until It Happens to You

Expected Trite, Got Surprised!

THE PERFECT MAN is another one of those fluff romantic comedies that just keep recycling - single mom and pseudorebellious daughter make everything work after plotted plans go astray. This is one of those films that you rent because the video store is closing and you need a somnolent-inducing DVD. But in the case of THE PERFECT MAN there are some nice surprises!

Jean Hamilton (Heather Locklear) is a 40ish single mom who bakes specialty cakes and can't land a man. Whenever she gets close to a commitment or when she is passed by, she runs, family in tow, to a new city, new friends, new opportunities to find a man before she is too old. Her daughters Holly (Hilary Duff) age 16 and little Zoe (Aria Wallace) go along with the transplanting moves, understanding and supportive of their mother but yearning for some permanence. The newest move is to Brooklyn: Jean is welcomed back to a bakery of friends, Holly finds reasons to like her new school (friends female and male) and Zoe starts on a run toward a spelling bee. Since Jean is so desperate for a man, she is swept off her feet by a fellow baker who is sweet but otherwise fairly low on the food chain. Holly and her new friend Amber (Michelle Nolden) plan a way to capture Jean's attention from a created secret lover, their information comes from Amber's restaurateur Uncle Ben (Chris Noth) who tells them the secrets to winning a woman's heart.

Let the games begin: first flowers, then gifts, then letters, then email, then I'm, and Jean feels as though there really is someone special out there who loves her. But as all games go, this one has its successes and major failures and as Holly grows to understand her mother's dilemma, she finds her own in her reluctance to accept the fact that her friend Adam (Ben Feldman) has fallen for her and wants her around. From that point it is a comedy of errors until the final frames where, as expected, all works out for the best for everyone.

Shallow, yes. Been there, done that, yes. But the surprise is the growth of Heather Locklear as an actress! She has come along ways from her 'Dynasty'/'Melrose Place' days as basically set decor and has accepted her age gracefully, coupling that with a nuanced acting ability that makes her a welcome 'newcomer' to the screen. She is worth sitting through this little yawner, making it come alive every time she is on screen. Grady Harp