Perfect (1985)

A journalist (John Travolta) for Rolling Stone magazine works on two stories simultaneously. One, the case of a businessman (Kenneth Welsh) busted for drugs by the federal government and two, on the Los Angeles health club phenomenon which have turned into the singles bars of the 1980s. Based on an actual series of articles from Rolling Stone, PERFECT was much maligned when released and not undeservedly so, I doubt if anyone who has not lived through the L.A. gymrat obsession of turning working out into a social life in their quest for the body beautiful, will appreciate the film's ironies and wit (which granted, are few and far between). The film is weakened by splitting its focus into the two plot lines, both suffering and adding an already unnecessary length to the film. There's an amusing sequence with Travolta and Jamie Lee Curtis (in sensational shape) as an aerobic instructor simulating sex while working out but the sequence goes on for far too long eventually wearing out its welcome. A little goes a long way. Directed by James Bridges (THE CHINA SYNDROME) and with Laraine Newman (who steals the film), Marilu Henner, Anne De Salvo, Jann Wenner, Lauren Hutton and Mathew Reed.