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Hilary Duff once again steps into her comfortable role as the good girl next door, this time as Heather Locklear's daughter. Tired of her mom having a breakdown and moving every time she gets dumped by another third rate guy. To prevent going on another "adventure", and to save her mother's self esteem, Holly concocts a plot for the imaginary perfect man for her mother.

The film is charming. Although it's no Oscar contender, this film exists to entertain and make audiences laugh. There are some cheesy moments and lines, but it doesn't hurt the film. Hilary Duff has improved her acting even more since 2004's "Raise Your Voice" and Heather Locklear adds a certain flair to the story not always seen in a Hilary Duff movie. The sub romantic plot between Holly and Ben is sweet, and you get some scenic views of New York, all of which helps to make a pleasurable movie that should've been a hit but instead got swallowed up by blockbusters at the box office.

I saw the DVD and I was totally disappointed. The first time I saw the advert for this in the universal studios I was actually looking forward to it, thinking it would be a sweet, feel-good movie. But the plot makes no sense, Hilary Duff is a really bad actress, I don't like Heather Locklear's selfish character "Jean Hamilton" - the producers and scriptwriter obviously aren't parents (what mother is that desperate for a man that she puts that before taking good care of her children?) When I finished watching it I felt like I have wasted a perfectly good Saturday night. My advice is don't watch this movie, it's boring and you won't feel good after watching it at all.

Hilary Duff has never made a movie on her own that I've liked. "A Cinderella Story" was mediocre at best and "Raise Your Voice" had to be on the worst films of 2004. "The Perfect Man" is another Duff vehicle that received horrid reviews, which is funny because I actually thought it was sort of decent. It is the type of movie that is bland and indistinguishable, yes, but also decently so. The storyline zips along with enough plausibility and chuckles for you to feel like the rental fee was worth it. Unlike "A Cinderella Story" and "Raise Your Voice," Duff is not a victim this time, which was refreshing. In fact, she's can be narcissistic and cruel. Heather Locklear plays her distressed mom, and I haven't seen any of her other films but I thought she was believable enough. Ben Feldman is affable as Duff's love interest and Chris Noth is quite good as a charming restraunteer. Speaking of Noth, a good way to sum up "The Perfect Man" is that it plays out a more extended version of a Sex and the City episode, only without the risqué humor or racy subject matter, which makes it a good fit for moms and their daughters. Not a great film, but it follows its dubious formula well enough for me to recommend it to some.

GRADE: B

Great movie for a light hearted time at the movies. The reviewer who saw "microphones" above the actors heads was totally WRONG!! They were referring to "booms" and I watched the whole movie and saw exactly NONE. I was looking for them after that review and would have seen them if they were there. That review put a damper on the movie for my wife and I as we were looking for those flaws and it distracted a little from the true enjoyment that we had watching this movie. We are in our 50's and still liked this movie. It is not a chick flick and did not show any microphones. The acting was great and even Chris Noth was able to pull off the comedy. This story has a lot of humor and Hilliary Duff was fantastic.

The Perfect Man Holly Hamilton(Duff) is sick and tired of "going on adventures", as her mom Jean(Locklear) calls it, when Jean gets rejected by yet another man. Their latest move, to New York, really upsets Holly, because she was just starting to make friends in the town. But, she stays positive about the situation, and hopes her mother's love life improves in New York.

Well, it doesn't. So Holly, with the help of her friend(Langies) and her Uncle Ben(Noth), create a secret admirer for her mother, hoping her mother will finally be convinced that the "Perfect Man" is out there, and you just need to look for it...

'The Perfect Man' is Duff's strongest performance yet.

I think Hilary Duff has found a persona that works for her: the cool, loyal, loving and somewhat confused teenager. All she wants is to have a place she can truly call "home" and her intentions in the film are good. Locklear gives a little oomph to the screen, as does Chris Noth, the "perfect man" in the movie. The film is a bit flat in some scenes, but overall, it flows with a soothing, sweet message. Sure, there are better movies, but not many movies these days have messages as good as this.

Many complain that Duff's acting is dry, flat and bland. Her main competition, Lindsay Lohan, yes, is a better actress, but who's movies have a better message... Hilary Duff's. Sometimes, Lohan's movies are welcome, but sometimes, we need a film that has a message. And so far, none of Lohan's films have had a message yet, except for several scenes in 'Freaky Friday'. Point Made.

Overall: Sure, it's not the best film, but it works as a sweet, soothing and more mature role for Ms. Duff with a message that works. 3 from 4 PG: sensual content.