This isn't the greatest movie ever made, and the ending of the movie was pretty predictable, but I have to say I really enjoyed it. I thought the chemistry between Richard Karn and Mary Page Keller was excellent. It was one of those movies that made me feel good afterwards.
16 Reviews
I don't know what it is
jd2b30 December 2000
The plot is implausible at best. The characters? Mere caricatures. The acting? Second rate. And yet, in spite of that all, there's something incredibly charming about this movie that allows me to see past that all, and actually enjoy it.
The set-up, two adolescents that scheme to bring their single parents together, has been done before, yet there's still a heart to it.
6/10.
The set-up, two adolescents that scheme to bring their single parents together, has been done before, yet there's still a heart to it.
6/10.
Excellent, funny fun for the whole family
TheRealTC1 September 2006
Warning: Spoilers
When next-door neighbours and best friends Alan and JJ (and JJ's brainy, bookworm younger sister, Delia) enter a contest sponsored by Barrett's Natural Soda, they get their families caught up in a charade of epic proportions.
The contest, as advertised by company owner and president, Ernie Barrett, is as follows: He needs a new family to be the face of Barrett's Soda to launch his secret, new flavor, so he's looking for the perfect family with the perfect qualities to represent his product. The prizes include paying off the mortgage on the winner's home ("if you don't have a house, I'll buy you a house!"); paying the college tuition for the children, and a lifetime supply of Barrett's Natural Soda.
The entrants must write an essay, the subject being why they think their family is the 'Perfect' family for Ernie Barrett.
Both Alan and JJ belong to single-parent, struggling families. JJ's father, widower George, is a down-and-out writer who may have to sell the house and move in with his parents. Alan's mom, Vicki, works and studies, and seems to constantly rely on her mother for funds.
Alan decides to enter both his family and JJ's family in Barrett's contest, claiming they are actually one. With some digital wizardry, he combines two family portraits so they look like a real family. With JJ's help, he writes a glowing essay (with several embellishments and blatant untruths) to convince Ernie Barrett that they are 'the perfect family'.
The real fun starts when Ernie Barrett shows up in person at Alan's home while he and JJ are playing basketball in the driveway. He proclaims that they are a finalist family. He'll make his winning choice just as soon as he's lived with them for one week.....
The kids now must scramble to get George and Vicki (who, before now, were completely in the dark about the entire contest) on-side, and have them pretend they are married and living under one roof.
Both George and Vicki are completely against the idea, since their relationship is already a strained one due to constant squabbles over petty things like property lines and untidy hedges.
They come to the decision to pull out of the contest, since it would be unethical to try to dupe Mr. Barrett. But two individuals claiming to be from the FBI show up, and convince them to remain in the contest. They believe that Barrett's Soda company has been involved in industrial espionage, and has stolen the formula of a rival soda company. The Agents believe Ernie Barrett will be giving out a sample of the soon-to-be-released new flavor to the winning family. They've been instructed to bring that sample directly to them so it can be analysed.
with this new directive, George and Vicki reluctantly agree to keep up the scam.
To quote an oft-used and utterly clichéd (but apt) phrase, "Hilarity ensues"!!
Richard Karn is brilliant as George, as he must deal with an editor from hell, who seems bent on seducing him. Dave Thomas plays up his role as the clueless but kind soda baron. Mary Page Keller has a great role to work with, as she must deal with a doting (but highly unsuitable and boring) boyfriend, and the fact that Alan is still conflicted about his absent father. The 'kids' are also well-cast and shine in their roles as they try to keep up the charade and constantly need to ad-lib with their 'parents'.
You will laugh out loud with this movie. The humour is never inappropriate, and it can truly be enjoyed by the whole family.
Recommended highly. If only they'd release it on DVD...
The contest, as advertised by company owner and president, Ernie Barrett, is as follows: He needs a new family to be the face of Barrett's Soda to launch his secret, new flavor, so he's looking for the perfect family with the perfect qualities to represent his product. The prizes include paying off the mortgage on the winner's home ("if you don't have a house, I'll buy you a house!"); paying the college tuition for the children, and a lifetime supply of Barrett's Natural Soda.
The entrants must write an essay, the subject being why they think their family is the 'Perfect' family for Ernie Barrett.
Both Alan and JJ belong to single-parent, struggling families. JJ's father, widower George, is a down-and-out writer who may have to sell the house and move in with his parents. Alan's mom, Vicki, works and studies, and seems to constantly rely on her mother for funds.
Alan decides to enter both his family and JJ's family in Barrett's contest, claiming they are actually one. With some digital wizardry, he combines two family portraits so they look like a real family. With JJ's help, he writes a glowing essay (with several embellishments and blatant untruths) to convince Ernie Barrett that they are 'the perfect family'.
The real fun starts when Ernie Barrett shows up in person at Alan's home while he and JJ are playing basketball in the driveway. He proclaims that they are a finalist family. He'll make his winning choice just as soon as he's lived with them for one week.....
The kids now must scramble to get George and Vicki (who, before now, were completely in the dark about the entire contest) on-side, and have them pretend they are married and living under one roof.
Both George and Vicki are completely against the idea, since their relationship is already a strained one due to constant squabbles over petty things like property lines and untidy hedges.
They come to the decision to pull out of the contest, since it would be unethical to try to dupe Mr. Barrett. But two individuals claiming to be from the FBI show up, and convince them to remain in the contest. They believe that Barrett's Soda company has been involved in industrial espionage, and has stolen the formula of a rival soda company. The Agents believe Ernie Barrett will be giving out a sample of the soon-to-be-released new flavor to the winning family. They've been instructed to bring that sample directly to them so it can be analysed.
with this new directive, George and Vicki reluctantly agree to keep up the scam.
To quote an oft-used and utterly clichéd (but apt) phrase, "Hilarity ensues"!!
Richard Karn is brilliant as George, as he must deal with an editor from hell, who seems bent on seducing him. Dave Thomas plays up his role as the clueless but kind soda baron. Mary Page Keller has a great role to work with, as she must deal with a doting (but highly unsuitable and boring) boyfriend, and the fact that Alan is still conflicted about his absent father. The 'kids' are also well-cast and shine in their roles as they try to keep up the charade and constantly need to ad-lib with their 'parents'.
You will laugh out loud with this movie. The humour is never inappropriate, and it can truly be enjoyed by the whole family.
Recommended highly. If only they'd release it on DVD...
A Wonderful Wonderful Movie
Two198025 February 2003
This is a great movie. It's a wonderful family movie. If your family loves something touching or funny this is for you. It's about two teenage kids entering into a soda contest. The two teenage kids are not related. They enter the contest as one happy family. Has a happy ending.. If you love Richard Karn Picture Perfect is for you.
Yay Picture Perfect
l_EM_M_Ing28 May 2005
The movie Picture Pefect has been a movie that my family and I have embraced for years. As younger children, my mother introduced this movie to us to give us something to do. My sister, cousins, and I have become mildly obsessed with this movie's context. We know majority of the lines and can recite scenes in a heartbeat including movements and facial expressions. Although some lines may be cheesy, the movie has a very good plot and is hilariously funny. It will put a smile on any face! I recommend this movie and I hope that you and your family can enjoy the movies' charm in the same way that ours has. I promise you that your family will never forget this enchanting movie.
Feuding single parent neighbors are sucked into their children's scheme
Tom4Surfing21 December 2002
Children who are neighbors and friends scheme to win a contest that will allow a single dad to keep up payments on the mortgage and, therefore, not have to move. The scheme spirals out of control in a way that gives two feuding single parents an opportunity to see each other in a new light. Charming, warm, and funny. As for those who complain that this is not a movie to be taken seriously, I can only say, "Duh!"
Terrific family fun.
christian727 August 2003
I thought it was a great family movie, which are as scarce as hen's teeth these days. It had a lot to say about misjudging others, before actually getting to know them, and how, with a team effort, families can stay together. I thought Richard Karn was fantastic at the slap stick comedy, in the restaurant scene, especially.
Christian IS A HOTTIE!!! DIMPLES!!!!!!
bgrace8817 September 2005
Warning: Spoilers
This could be the dumbest movie and it would be worth sitting through anyway just for his cute, adorable smile!!!!! WHEN HE'S ON THE STEPS SAYING GOOD-BYE TO THEM BEFORE THEIR DATE!!! Cutest smile! Cutest Christian in the whole movie!! I LOVE Christian!!!!!! when he smiles... i melt!!! but, he's thirty-three.. and probably married with children... but i will forgive him...
Watch this movie just to watch him! And... the movie was good besides him too. It has Al.
DIMPLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Christian IS HOTT!
Watch this movie just to watch him! And... the movie was good besides him too. It has Al.
DIMPLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Christian IS HOTT!
Excellent Family Movie
stnelson-110 August 2005
A great movie with a predictable plot that is suitable for the whole family. Two families join forces to win a contest, finding love as they do so. Available for purchase from Feature Films for Families. The characters are lovable and the lines are memorable. The families almost don't agree to participate in the contest, until they are convinced by the "FBI" that it is their "patriotic duty" (patriotic duty) to continue in the contest. The movie ends with a very climatic "Mrs. Doubtfire"-esquire restaurant scene where both couples are at dinner obligations with different parties in the same restaurant. The actors are lovable, "Al" from Home Improvement and that girl from Independence Day complete the perfect cast for this movie.
I'll be darned. This is a perfect movie.
DriftedSnowWhite22 May 2022
There is not one bit of it that could be better. Not one actor could have been better. This was, yet again, a movie that had landed in the house, and I only just watched it, (a VHS tape), tonight, after it sat here for at least two years.
All the characters were faultless. The script was faultless. Direction? Faultless. I have never been a fan of movies focused on children, not since childhood, (and with a couple exceptions), but again - faultless, and engaging, smart, and, ultimately, surprising. Thank you.
All the characters were faultless. The script was faultless. Direction? Faultless. I have never been a fan of movies focused on children, not since childhood, (and with a couple exceptions), but again - faultless, and engaging, smart, and, ultimately, surprising. Thank you.
Family Favorite
radicallegacy9219 January 2020
Even though this film has it's corky moments and even though mainstream critics would probably tread this movie down, my family has watched and loved this movie for many years.
Started watching this movie back before my teenage years with my siblings and parents and now having a family of my own it's still one of my favorites and hope that my kids enjoy it as much as I have.
I'm sure that most would agree that the series of events at "Gillian's" is one of the several highlights of the film as one funny thing leads to another. And who could forget the breakout rock performance at the "Beef and Beer".
It's certainly a movie that you'll be able to enjoy for years with your family
It's certainly a movie that you'll be able to enjoy for years with your family
COOL TV-movie for every member of the family!
Guitar-821 October 1999
This is a fun movie to watch about neighbors working together as a family.
My favorite part was The Beef & Beer scene when Alan Walters (Christian Campbell) helped George Thomas (Richard Karn) out of his stage fright when he grabbed an electric guitar, played his favorite song as Campbell & Karn played and sang "You Really Got Me"! Cool performance, even though they're not Van Halen (Nissan Maxima commercial) or The Kinks!
By the way for you trivia freaks, the name of Alan's band is The Greasy Monkeys. As Alan Walters would say, "I think I'm about to be brilliant!"
My favorite part was The Beef & Beer scene when Alan Walters (Christian Campbell) helped George Thomas (Richard Karn) out of his stage fright when he grabbed an electric guitar, played his favorite song as Campbell & Karn played and sang "You Really Got Me"! Cool performance, even though they're not Van Halen (Nissan Maxima commercial) or The Kinks!
By the way for you trivia freaks, the name of Alan's band is The Greasy Monkeys. As Alan Walters would say, "I think I'm about to be brilliant!"
Picture Perfect
kingofdanerds31 December 2020
Picture Perfect is a TV movie that aired on ABC way back in 1995. Some people that starred in this film that I easily recognized was Richard Karn (from Home Improvement) and Lisa Jakub (from Mrs. Doubtfire and Independence Day). The cast is largely unknown to me and therefore I am not going to pretend that I know who they all are. I attempted to do some light research on this film (as I usually do before reviewing a film) and as I expected, came up with just about nothing. Though I can say this little 90s TV film has garnered praise from people who have viewed this film. Now while I was not around in 1995 when this film was broadcasted, I did watch this film as part of the Echo Bridge 8 Family Film Collection and it appears that this is the only good film in the collection.
The film follows two families who are neighbors and who don't care too much for each other. The Walters has mom Vicky and son Alan. Alan is not a huge fan of his mom's boyfriend and will do anything to split them apart. The Thomas family has father George (played by Richard Karn), older daughter JJ (played by Lisa Jakub) and youngest daughter Deila. George is an author who has not been getting the success he has been needing. Essentially, the Thomas' might have to sell the house. But, JJ Thomas and Alan Walter decide to sign up both of their families as one big family for a competition held by a soda company. The competition is basically which family is the perfect family. Of course, they both are considered as the top contender and the owner of the soda company gets to stay with them for one whole week to document what their lifes are like. Meaning, they have to keep up this whole act. Will they blow the cover? Will they win the competition? Will they start growing closer together?
This is a truly good film. It is a rather charming little TV film that warms me up inside. Yes, this is a TV film and it does not try to be anything else. The acting is rather good here. The acting feels geniune and the actors and actresses fit well into their roles. There are a few instances wear the acting dips but it is not too often where that happens. The characters here, like the actors, are fairly likeable here and have a warm charm to them and they also have chemistry with the other characters. Sure, there are certain cliches surrounding these characters, but none of these cliches are made annoying or even apparant during my first viewing. The set up for this film's story is a plausible one though it does venture into the realm of unplausible. Come on, people cannot be that clueless! A major complaint that I have is the whole FBI stuff in this film. All one needs to know is that the owner of the soda company is under suspicion of stealing a recipe for a new brand of soda and the FBI is involved. I find this all unnecessary as it could have been removed and the "big picture" would have been intact. Sure it adds to the hilarity and chaos that is in this film due to everyone trying to keep their stories straight in this film and what not, but there is already enough of that in this film. The comedy is not bad here and I do get a few laughs here and there but I don't think the comedy is the main focus. The big message is that there is no such thing as perfect. But more importantly, you have two different families who might not like each other a whole lot but no matter what would do anything for each other. It is quite nice actually. The ending is a happy albeit predictable.
Picture Perfect somewhat speaks for itself in many ways. It is a charming little film that made me feel good after watching it.
The film follows two families who are neighbors and who don't care too much for each other. The Walters has mom Vicky and son Alan. Alan is not a huge fan of his mom's boyfriend and will do anything to split them apart. The Thomas family has father George (played by Richard Karn), older daughter JJ (played by Lisa Jakub) and youngest daughter Deila. George is an author who has not been getting the success he has been needing. Essentially, the Thomas' might have to sell the house. But, JJ Thomas and Alan Walter decide to sign up both of their families as one big family for a competition held by a soda company. The competition is basically which family is the perfect family. Of course, they both are considered as the top contender and the owner of the soda company gets to stay with them for one whole week to document what their lifes are like. Meaning, they have to keep up this whole act. Will they blow the cover? Will they win the competition? Will they start growing closer together?
This is a truly good film. It is a rather charming little TV film that warms me up inside. Yes, this is a TV film and it does not try to be anything else. The acting is rather good here. The acting feels geniune and the actors and actresses fit well into their roles. There are a few instances wear the acting dips but it is not too often where that happens. The characters here, like the actors, are fairly likeable here and have a warm charm to them and they also have chemistry with the other characters. Sure, there are certain cliches surrounding these characters, but none of these cliches are made annoying or even apparant during my first viewing. The set up for this film's story is a plausible one though it does venture into the realm of unplausible. Come on, people cannot be that clueless! A major complaint that I have is the whole FBI stuff in this film. All one needs to know is that the owner of the soda company is under suspicion of stealing a recipe for a new brand of soda and the FBI is involved. I find this all unnecessary as it could have been removed and the "big picture" would have been intact. Sure it adds to the hilarity and chaos that is in this film due to everyone trying to keep their stories straight in this film and what not, but there is already enough of that in this film. The comedy is not bad here and I do get a few laughs here and there but I don't think the comedy is the main focus. The big message is that there is no such thing as perfect. But more importantly, you have two different families who might not like each other a whole lot but no matter what would do anything for each other. It is quite nice actually. The ending is a happy albeit predictable.
Picture Perfect somewhat speaks for itself in many ways. It is a charming little film that made me feel good after watching it.
Very Good Funny Movie
MB-2123 March 1999
I first saw this movie on The Disney Channel in Summer 1997. I enjoyed it a lot. I mean it's not My Cousin Vinny (my favorite movie) but it's also not Barney's Great Adventure (the worst movie ever made!) It's far better than the 1997 Jennifer Aniston/Kevin Beacon flick "Picture Perfect," which I give an F- This was a very good movie. If you want a movie that has good family entertainment, comedy, and suspense rent Picture Perfect.
A
A
Richard Karn, and that's about it.
Eruhil25 November 2002
This movie is typical TV movie fare. Nothing extraordinary - except for Richard Karn! He makes this movie. I think Karn is a wonderful actor. I would make a rough comparison of him to Jimmy Stewart. If you're a Karn fan, you'll love it. If not, well, it's basically impossible to find....
Fun And Entertaining Movie
MB-2119 March 1999
In the summer of 1996 I first saw this movie on The Disney Channel. I found it very enjoyable. It was far better than the Kevin Beacon flick Picture Perfect. If you want a mindless entertaining movie, watch Picture Perfect. It's not to be taken seriously.
A+
A+
See also
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