The Perfect Student (2011 TV Movie) User Reviews

See the DVD, If You Must See It At All

[Stoshie · 5/10 · 6 July 2018]

This is a typical Lifetime TV movie. Meaning, plot holes galore, mediocre acting, bad writing. If you like these kinds of movies, it is no better or worse than any other. Just know what to expect.

There is an "R" rated DVD of the movie available, though. If you must see this movie, try to find that version. At least there is a scene in it that won't be shown on TV, one that earns the "R" rating. I suspect a body double is used in that scene. There is a body double listed in the credits at the end of the movie on the DVD, but not on IMDB. I would guess that is because the TV version doesn't include the scene where the body double is most likely used.

It's Perfectly Stupid...

[talentest · 3/10 · 1 June 2024]

Whoever wrote this movie obviously didn't even pretend to bother making any of the law, crimes, police procedure, and the timeline of the murder itself make any sense as it just skips over anytime those instances pop up. It is impossible not to notice how the film skirts out the way of details or specifics or how things happen at every turn. Like...

1. THE ARRESTS: Twice people are arrested based on nothing other than a character in the movie points and says "that person did it, whatever it is.". No evidence is ever presented because none are ever collected. Just a girl says that someone had an argument with the dead girl and a Professor calls a detective to say only "I know who it is and I'm on my way to confront him."

2. THE SUPPOSED MURDER: The dead girl herself... How did she die exactly? How did they know it was murder? What was so concrete about Jordan's guilt that everyone the world over just knew she was guilty? Crucial elements essential in stories like these: the manner of death, the time of death, clues or evidence to indicate murder, and a crime scene are all non-existent.

...The only mention the movie makes of victim's manner of death is in one scene as disembodied speculation from gathered news media: "Police suspect foul play", "I heard she drowned" and "She was apparently drunk and decided to go swimming". And that is it.

...Yet somehow the police know immediately that it was murder and that Jordan did it. Why? Because they were roommates, the girl who was actually hanging out with the dead girl that night said that they had an argument, and Jordan attends a course in Criminology (same as the dead girl). Nothing else is offered for the audience to follow.

...I had to restart the movie 3 times because I kept thinking I was missing something, but nope... No evidence of any kind is presented, no mention of witnesses, cctv, no theories as to how or why she did it, no talk of a weapon, blood, prints, DNA, fibers, or clothing because the movie never tells us how she was "murdered" or why they even think it was murder, no definitive manner of death, and the detectives even say that they can't think of a motive for her to have done it.

...But it's enough that she is formally charged and everybody except one person in the movie is assured that she did it. And this one outlier is suddenly detested by others for even entertaining the possibility of her innocence.

3. THE PREPOSTEROUS ENDING... The contents of a yellow envelope that was first introduced near the start of the film but not opened until near the end of the film instantly informs the Professor as to the truth... It's the answer sheet to the midterms with a note saying it belonged to Jordan that was delivered before the start of the movie... that means Jordan really IS guilty of murder! ...OK?

...And the detectives already know now too because of some cyber forensics nonsense. So its just a race to see who can get to Jordan first, the police coming to arrest her or the CRIMINOLOGY teacher who insists on being first just cuz.

4. THE ATTACK: In hindsight is ridiculous. How could the killer have known that the victim would be doing her "walk of shame" at that time of night (instead of sleeping in till morning) and through the football field (to be prepared to kill the lights) and then why corner her high up on a stairway?

...If the girl did drown as suggested and that indeed was the killer's plan then why go through all of this trouble of having to lug her body down the stairs, back across the football field, and back over to the beach where she started to kill her there when she could've just done it there to begin with?

5. MISC... No actual detective work is done by detectives. Homicide detectives show up in response to an escaped home intruder. The innocent kid runs for no reason, then is arrested with no charges given. Jordan's sudden character shift into becoming a sultry villainess in the presence of her teacher after she believes she is free. Even the logistics of Jordan's ultimate plan isn't thought out in any way that makes her look smart or cunning.

This whole thing was just so, so stupid.

A totally odd plot story

[Brayanmailmv · 4/10 · 31 May 2024]

Okay first off, what does a girl in a school uniform with a knife have to do with the movie? It catches the audience attention for a movie cover but that never shows in the movie. What was the purpose of that over picture. The crime story was okay but I don't know, it just kinda seemed a bit off. A young woman gets murdered but the twist was not even surprising at all. It wasn't even a wink to the audience. It was an okay movie but I really didn't expect to be what it was and it just didn't seem exciting to me. I enjoy crime movies but I don't think this was you'll like. Give it a chance and see what you think.

Leave it alone

[nogodnomasters · 2/10 · 9 January 2018]

I groaned as the film opened with "Inspired by True Events." Too late. I had already paid for it. Natasha Henstridge sadly plays a college law professor who can't spring her innocent brother from jail. In the opening scene, a college girl gets killed. Her nerdy roommate, Brea Gant with some facial zits, whose only alibi was an empty library, gets blamed.

The story had many plot holes. I had to laugh at the bad writing. The victim was last seen with a boy, no DNA rape test. The boy is never questioned. The roommate is charged with circumstantial evidence. Her attorney was idiotic. The police action was bad, especially for LA that has the resources. Henstridge dons her CSI gear to solve the crime...she looks at Facebook profiles and uses her cell phone camera. At one point she gets a message "Leave it Alone." Oh the tension just builds and oozes...NOT!

And you don't want to break into a California TV home because they keep a golf club by the bedroom door for protection!

There are no girls in plaid skirts as seen on the cover (I could have added a star for that). This was made for TV quality...about 1970.

No f-bombs. There is an opening, dimly lit sex scene (brief nudity?).

Worst sound editing ever

[nelson_kris · 1/10 · 5 February 2012]

The writing is OK, the acting is below sub-par, but the sound editing is horrific. There is a scene on a beach and the lines are edited together so poorly you can hear waves crashing in the back ground then total silence then waves in mid-crash again, then silence. It is as if they made no effort to go into a sound studio and re-record the dialogue with pre-recorded beach sounds in the back ground. They just used what they got from the actual scene filmed on the beach.

Whomever edited the sound on this one was promoted far beyond their abilities.

If you want a good laugh just fast forward to the beach scene, about minute 24 or so.

Over acted flick

[geoffox-766-418467 · 28 November 2012]

I give this trite no vote at all. Terrible plot, the usual, for LMN. And again leading ladies with no acting ability. When you want the heroine to be done in, you know you're in for trouble. For certainly Natasha Henstridge was that bad. Very busty and bangs that cover most of her face, she is just terrible in this. Is this a proper teachers wearing apparel? Slinky tight tight pants, tight top so bust can be admired? Would any school let a woman like this teach in their school? And just when does she teach? Too busy parading around looking for clues. Henstridge goes around poking her nose in every body else's business and wonders why someone is after her. Duh, because you're a busy body. She spends most of the film being chased in her car. Terrible, horrible movie for TV. In supporting roles Josie Davis, Brea Grant, Jay Pickett and Carlson Young do the best they can. Oh by the way to see more tight clothes, big breasts see Henstridge in The Widow on the Hill. Awful movie. In watching this terrible film a second time, unintentionally I still cringe at the sight of Henstridge. Just can't stand her. Her acting matches the stupidity of the role she is playing. And her figure does not flatter her too much. Maybe why she is always in black. She is so damn nosy in everybody's business attempting to be a detective. And when she gets dramatic, wow talk about over acting. I especially like the way Josie Davis keeps a straight face working with dame Henstridge.

Great suspense mystery

[bookandcandle · 10/10 · 13 February 2014]

LMN has made a great mystery movie again. If you like mysteries, you will love this exciting movie.

Nicole Johnson is a criminology professor who believes one of her students is innocent of committing murder and there starts her journey to find out who the real killer is.

There are many twists and turns in this movie that you keep your attention the entire time. It is suspenseful and entertaining. The acting of all the actors is excellent. Natasha Henstridge is always a skilled actress. The sound was clear and the script was well written.

I would definitely recommend this mystery thriller to everyone to watch and I am going to watch it again on LMN when it comes on. Keep doing a good job, LMN. I gave this movie a 10 because it was excellent. I would have liked a longer ending with more detail and explanation, but maybe LMN can work on that for their next mystery movie.