The Perfect Man

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

OK. I'm a Caucasian male in my 30's, there is no reason this film should appeal to me. So, I had the opportunity to see it last night. It has been a long time since I've been so pleasantly surprised in a movie theater. Firstly, the performances were great- Duff and Locklear (I never liked her before, but she's funny and beautiful and delivers... crazy) were dynamic and interesting. Noth is kind of irritating, but I guess some people find him sexy. Anyway, what on the face is a silly small tale is in fact a movie of surprising depth about relationships, the fear of solitude, and familial interaction. Who the hell knew a director of pulpy TV stuff had this in him? I'm considering that perhaps I was emotionally available or vulnerable, but objectively, the film-making is consummate. It looks great- like a big 80's comedy, nice and vivid and bright. So, don't fight if you are taken by a wife/daughter... you will be nicely surprised.

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.

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.

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.