Review of A Perfect Man (2013) by Katarina I — 14 Feb 2014

A Perfect Man's dubious distinction of being the lowest box officer earner of all theatrically released films in 2013 (it made $388 in theaters) doesn't necessarily reflect the film's overall quality as it isn't close to being the worst film of last year.

It is actually neither good nor bad as it is just a very mediocre movie that I have little-to-no praise for or criticism of. The film exists ... and that is about it.. The movie stars Liev Schreiber (Salt) and Jeanne Tripplehorn (The Firm) as married American expats James and Nina who live in Amsterdam and have been married for nine years.

To family and friends they appear to have a perfect marriage -- oh how they dote upon one another! -- and the audience gets to see what appears to be a healthy and romantic playful love life. It is soon revealed that Nina begins to suspect her spouse of infidelity and their past martial problems quickly all come to the surface -- she's willingly allowed herself to be a doormat throughout their entire marriage as he is a borderline sex addict incapable of monogamy.

She's looked the "other way" for 9 years and quickly concludes that she deserves better and moves out! But ... she misses him (!) and decides to prank call him to a start a new relationship founded upon lies.

Has she learned anything?! The film becomes a real thriller (not really) as an audience is unsure if s/he should root for the sleaze-ball or the doormat who is perhaps becoming another sleazeball?