A Romance That Was Lived and Filmed
Certain movies are accompanied by glamour, other by gossip, and some others by grace. The Perfect Find (2023) is one such movie that is accompanied by all three. Filming and real life love stories intertwine seamlessly in this movie. Fashionable, steamy, and modern, this movie is also an emotional story that hits home for Indian audiences. The movie strikes a delicate balance between ambition, emotion, second chances, and societal expectations.
Rediscovery (personal, romantic, and professional) is the center of this movie, and this is exactly the theme the cast and crew are embodying in real life.
In the midst of love, and ambition, lies the chaos
The movie revolves around former star fashion editor, Jenna Jones, and her struggle of attempting to rebuild her career post a public breakdown. Jenna returns to the fashion industry, internally conflicted, and overly optimistic. That is, until she falls for her boss’ son, and her new boss, Eric.
From the get-go, what should have been a straightforward workplace flirtation turns into a whirlwind of office politics, workplace romance, and history gap conflict. It would be easy to think the main emotional conflict would hinge upon a series of outrageous, even dramatic narrative turns. However, it’s far more relatable. The audience gets to explore a myriad of modern career-oriented women’s emotional conflicts- the balancing of careers vs. expectations, emotional healing vs. emotional stasis, and fears surrounding new beginnings, and the endless cycle repeats. It’s no wonder the audience connected so deeply with the main character’s emotional turmoil.
The dilemma of the main character, Jenna, paired with the conflict of modern Indian women made the emotional turmoil of the character even more relevant. Age and reputation vs. ambition. The character of Jenna Jones so beautifully reflects the passing judgment of society, and the expectation of women to know their place within it, all without the necessity to educate it.
Gabrielle Union is a perfect example of someone who suffers and experiences the pain of the modern workplace.
Jenna Jones- the character Gabrielle Union played- is a perfect example of the emotional truth Gabrielle Union was living. In the 2023 press events for the movie, Gabrielle Union was open regarding the industry ageism and motherhood and confidence rebuilding issues she was facing.
Jenna’s chaotic life and emotional conflict were relatable.
Like Union, Gabrielle had no issues inter- preting what Union was going through without the need to compromise accuracy. Unfortunately, both women, who should have been able to support each other, instead found themselves in a highly competitive industry. In this narrative, aging became the primary problem both were facing, although it was merely the result of society’s obsession with youth. In a world that is so perfect, it’s pertinent to assume both women were struggling with internal conflicts as a result of their external world.
One behind-the-scenes moment that fans seldom hear about
Since Jenna filming Gabrielle Breaking Down all by herself in the apartment, Gabrielle requested to shoot the scene with very dim lighting and no music. She wanted to create an atmosphere that felt very personal — as if someone was sitting with themselves and their own truth. The director listened to Gabrielle’s request. The result was the scene being almost painfully personal.
Gabrielle has said that this is the first time this film has given her peace while playing a woman of her age without an age filter of youthful appearance. Complete authenticity. A very remarkable detail that appears in every image.
Keith Powers – a crossroads in his career that ignited the tenderness in his performance
Keith Powers uniqueness in playing the character Eric is the mix of charm and tenderness, a combination that not a lot of other actors have. While many actors have this combination, not a lot of the audience knows that when he decided to participate in the film, Keith was in a transition of his career.
Having this reputation of playing young roles, he was looking for a film that could showcase his ability to portray an emotionally complex character that goes beyond the surface of appearance. Eric was that for him.
Keith was also recently going through a breakup and a re-centering emotional journey him vulnerable and therefore perfect for the character Eric. Eric is a fearless romantic, who thinks deeply and has warm respectful chemistry with Gabrielle that feels like an old fashioned romance.
One behind-the-scenes fact is that, according to the director, a substantial portion of the rooftop and late-night chat scenes were improvised. In the spirit of these natural improvisations, the director allowed Keith and Gabrielle to converse as themselves during the rehearsal to preserve moments of spontaneity.
Numa Perrier, Director of The Perfect Find, embodies the spirit of reinvention.
Numa Perrier emotionally steered the tone of the film, and brought her own baggage to it. Numa, like most of her audience, was going through personal and professional changes. She affectionately referred to it as a love letter to reinvention.
She envisioned a film that would feel like stylish modernity, a warm evening breeze to ease the soul, and a tone that embodies her chosen lighting of gentle warmth, dusky pinks, a sprinkle of sparkles for the night and dreaminess.
Numa decided that the film should feel as though Jenna’s age was not a “problem”, but a strength. This simple change of perception was the film’s distinctive voice.
What Shocked Audiences and What Wasn’t There:
Surprisingly, Indian audiences showed extreme warmth toward the movie. There was a huge selection of YouTube reaction videos, Instagram reels, and bookstagram/movie edits — particularly girls aged late 20s to 40s.
This is what the big majority missed, however:
These were the subtle ways in which Jenna’s wardrobe shifted from wearing structured silhouettes to more comfortable and breathable clothing as she emotionally frames.
Like several Indian celebrities, the theme of the age gap is married to hypothesized public controversy.
Inspired by classic black romance films, the movie’s jazz record is also an important cultural piece.
Darcy, Jenna’s boss, played by Gina Torres, was inspired by several icons of the fashion industry who dominated in power and grace, a duality quite familiar to Indian media.
Many of the scenes in which Jenna is laughing were moments of her genuine, unscripted reaction to Keith’s improvisation of the scene.
These are the indicators located on the surface of the movie, like an emotionally loaded magazine, that gave the movie its texture.
When the Perfect Find was released on Netflix, the media and critics enjoyed the nostalgic romcom energy while the audience, particularly the woman audience gave the movie a pass and stayed spool despite its public release.
One of the most discussed segments of the film is the social media phenomenon Jenna’s story is. It includes lines such as:
“Jenna’s story feels like every Indian career woman who’s been told she’s running out of time.”
“Seeing a woman be soft at 40+ is healing.”
Fashion blogs were the first to examine Jenna’s outfits. Relationship pages began to analyze the dynamics of age gaps. Film blogs began to appreciate the charm of New York and the film’s old school style. Over time, audiences sought the film as a comfort watch as it contained a romance of the mature, melodrama absent sort.
Jenna’s story feels like every geriatric millennial and every Indian woman careerist told they are running out of time. The magic of The Perfect Find is its brilliance. There is no lying and no unfortunate and overdone conflict. Every age can begin anew, love grows independently of social and chronological time. Geriatric millennials and Indian viewers brought up with ‘log kya kahenge’, this story is a breath of fresh air, a celebration of life.
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