Permanent (2017) User Reviews

"Hair to Give an Impression"

[Kamurai25 · 6/10 · 27 September 2020]

Decent watch, probably won't watch again, but can recommend.

The biggest problem with this is that it is just awkward. Rainn Wilson is really good, but odd as a straight man. He was a serious, but goofy character in "The Office", but this is different: he's serious bordering on sad here with a marriage in jeopardy.

The oddest bit is that this is the one movie that Kira Mclean has stared in, she not only leads this movie well, but carries the movie easily. She goes all in with young teen angst in each of the story lines she's in as she's in every story line except for the weirdness with mom almost leaving dad.

This is a fine movie, it's a decent coming of age story, "new kid at the school", renewed love, and "finding self" all mixed together, but it's just presented in the weirdest way possible, which I think is all for the setting of "small hick town".

Fantastic gem about hair

[andylaode · 7/10 · 4 May 2018]

How do I put this? This movie is a beautiful movie about hair. The hair that belong to the main character and character surround her are the main problem for this movie. The Main Character (a lovely Kira McLean as Aurelie Dickson) changes her essential nature while attempting to solve the problem about her hair. yes, you are not misread it, the main problem in this movie is actually about Aurelie's hair. funny right? Watch it and laugh with me.

We have Aurelie's hair problem, Aurelie's father hair problem, Aurelie's friend hair problem, etc etc.

The setting, the plot and the dramatic event around the main character has there to convince her that she doesn't need to concern too much about her hair. it is looks good anyway. And once she accepted that and feels good about herself then the main problem for the movie is solved. She changed herself from hating herself to loving herself: accepting her hair just the way it is.

The appearance of Rainn Wilson as Jim Dickson is fabulous and Kaleigh Jo Keller is great as Aurelie's impact character and Nena Daniels as Lydia served as Aurelie's sidekick.

I love it. The movie brilliantly solved the problem and message was cleverly conveyed to me as an audience. And some more, as any other movies that I review, it doesn't matter how much budget spent to create a movie, it doesn't matter how complicated the plot or how simple the plot is, the good movie is the movie that always makes you feels good when the ending credit appear. It is always that and it is always will be.

A comedy made for a different generation

[alandavidmckenzie · 7/10 · 25 November 2021]

As someone who grew up in the 1980's and 90's, this movie really takes me back. It has a lot of wholesome life filled lessons and values with a lot of heart, just like the shows and movies of 30 years ago. The story is very simple, but has a lot of complexity between characters. The scriptwriting of the humour is taylored for modern audiences, but avoids the vulgarity that comes with comedies today. There isn't any big laugh out loud moments, but rather a steady stream of smirk happy moments that doesn't get monotonous. This is the kind of film you can watch as a family comprised of almost any and all age group.

An art house movie about lots of things, like hair

[thejdrage · 7/10 · 11 May 2022]

And family.

This is an odd movie - and I love odd movies. Some people called it slow. I didn't think it was slow at all. Obviously they have never ever had trouble with their hair. And family. Nor been the new kid - at any age facing all kinds of new demands and challenges that seem ..... enormous, unending, unachievable, and just plain stupid.

Is it fast paced? Nope. ROTHL? Nope. Is it worth your time? Yep.

Enjoy.

Genuine

[referencegirl · 7/10 · 15 February 2020]

A coming of age story with genuine characters where the child isn't the only one growing up. Patricia Arquette's performance is so effective that I felt her character's awkwardness. However, the story arc and resolution feels a little too easy, especially in a film where the characters are so realistic and genuine.

How Did This Get Good Reviews?

[kimmyrai777 · 4/10 · 9 December 2018]

Ok, I have no idea how this movie got so many 10/10 reviews! It wasn't that great. At all! Maybe if I'd known going into it that it was like Napolean Dynamite in the sense that it's not suppose to be a good movie, but rather quirky and weird, I may have a different opinion. Honestly, I thought is was slow and dull. There were some funny parts where I did lol. I just don't see how it got all the good reviews. Would I watch it again? NO. Would I recommend it? Heck NO! Save your time and watch something else.

Arquette Shines in this Quirky Piece

[elowynofavalon-2 · 6/10 · 26 January 2022]

Like it's time setting, this film reminds me of something that might have meant something to someone from a different era. Stories like The Best Christmas Pageant Ever come to mind. The story is odd but not weird enough, honest but not brave enough, sweet but not memorable enough, but altogether enjoyable and cute. The real stand-out is Arquette in a strange, remarkable, endearing performance that is one of my favorites of her career. Her indelible charm is on display as this peculiar take as a frustrated wife and mother.

Permanent simply doesn't wash!

[khunkrumark · 1/10 · 14 April 2018]

Permanent simply doesn't wash!

When all 13 reviews for a movie are filled with gushing praise and the maximum stars allowed, you know you're in for a movie treat, right?

Or... you know that a couple of enthusiastic members of the film crew have rounded up a few accounts on IMDb to boost a movie's profile!

Every review for this painful movie on IMDb.com is written in a similar style, lavishing praise on how the film made the 'film go-er' feel. Not one review takes a step back to inform the reader why or what actually happened to make them (er, him or her) feel that way!

Even the usernames of these 'reviewers' are obviously the imagination of one person... alarue-47744 - onaona-74151 - tiarenee-13911!. Seriously? You can't even be bothered to come up with convincing usernames?)

OK, so let's talk about the film itself and here's an honest review from someone who has written about 200 of them for this website...

A girl is teased at school because of her hair. Her ridiculous father wears a toupe and her equally asinine fool of a mother likes dolphins. Her school teacher is having a baby. The entire stretch of their personalities and actions revolve around this premise.

The film isn't funny... it's not witty... it's not interesting and it's not worth your time. The entire runtime is about nothing except a girl's bad haircut, a silly father and his wig and an insane, frustrated woman who likes sea mammals.

It's a badly scripted collage of unconnected scenes that excels in bland, empty, pointless and embarrassingly awful moments where nothing happens. This film isn't even interesting enough to be annoying! THAT'S how irrelevant it is.

Kira McLean is the only thing of value here. The actor looks to have a future if she can come through this excruciating bomb without being de-listed for offenses against entertainment. If her agent thought that this was a good move for her, she needs serious changes in her management.

An utter fail from the opening scene to the ten-minute end credits.

It has its moments

[clauzy82 · 6/10 · 26 September 2022]

An enjoyable feel-good movie with a nice message, but nothing to write home about really. The plot was a bit ropey and it had too many modern cliché's which kept pulling me out of the 80's. The story is charming, with a few laughs along the way and that cast completely knock it out of the park, as strange as some of them are they all bring their characters to life. Special kudos to Kira McLean who plays Aurelie, she is the bright star of this movie, amazing. I still don't know what to think about the score, which I suppose is a good thing as it has me thinking.

All in all, nice evening entertainment to sit down to with the other half.

Mehdiocre coming of age comedy

[muamba_eats_toast · 5/10 · 5 March 2019]

This film has its moments when it's actually quite funny and just about entertains but despite this large portions of the movie fall completely flat leaving me feeling a bit meh about it all. It was ok but could have been a lot better.

A family values movie that isn't schlocky

[cahimdb · 8/10 · 22 June 2018]

I like movies with strong ethical centers but I hate movies that are predictable or patronizing.

I am so delighted when I find a movie about a family with positive attributes but is also genuinely funny and original.

This movie is all that!

It deals with some heavy issues but isn't ponderous.

Coming-of-age

[ritera1 · 7/10 · 12 July 2022]

...comedy of a young girl in 1982 Midwest. Her quest to undo a botched permanent. Family conflict between husband and wife.

Amusing but wanders quite a bit. Hasty ending.

Maybe the worst movie I'v ever seen

[tom999 · 1/10 · 25 June 2020]

My wife wanted to watch it, about 10 minutes in I switched to "quiet and survive" mode andI put up with the whole thing.I flashed back to "You, Me & Dupree" where IMHO there wasn't a single redeeming social value about Dupree. There wasn't a thing to like about Dupree, there is even less about these adult characters, if that's possible.

I now fully understand "Cringeworthy", as every adult character in this movie defined the word. No, no details on that, I wouldn't want to spoil these stinking turds for you, future viewers.

starting a new school blues

[ksf-2 · 7/10 · 1 January 2022]

Fun little indie. Aurelie (kira mcLean) wants a perm, but her parents (patricia arquette and rainn wilson) don't want to spend that kind of money. So... off to the beauty school, where it won't cost so much. And it comes out... terrible. But no-one has the guts to say it. The parents mean well... kind of. But they frequently seem to do and say the wrong thing. It doesn't help that it's also the first day of school. At a new school. Aurelie is so nice to the students, but is only met with sarcasm and bullying. Can she make friends with the punk kids who act like jerks at that age? Some funny bits, like when her parentals play badminton over the picket fence. And how none of the teachers or other students can get her name right. The only student who gets it right is her friend lydia. It's a cute little film. Written and directed by colette burson. She won awards for little black boot. During the closing credits, mark cuban is listed as one of the exec producers, but he's not currently shown on imdb... interesting.

One the worst movie ever made

[caravage-72010 · 1/10 · 31 March 2021]

I couldn't even finish watching this. Very bad movie, painful, trashy. Maybe one of the worst movie ever made and definitely one of the worst I've seen.

Horrible and Trashy

[jcwhyprgrl · 1/10 · 1 May 2018]

Excessive dirty language and cursing. Extremely explicit sexual references. I never remember people (preteen/teen girls) behaving like this or speaking like this when I was in school. The characters came off as complete idiots. It was embarrassing!! This is borderline PG-13, but I am not sure I would even let a high school-er view it!

Lovely movie

[GreenGableViews · 8/10 · 11 November 2018]

I cannot comprehend the score here. This movie is sweet, funny, and well-done. Please give it a chance.

This is a multi-layered coming of age story. We see all the characters go through changes, learning and growing and maturing. There is a scene near the end featuring a minor character that was absolutely wonderful. If you like indie movies that make you feel happy after, watch this!

hair thoughts

[lee_eisenberg · 9/10 · 5 May 2018]

I doubt that many people have seen Colette Burson's "Permanent", but I recommend it. The focus is a girl in 1982 Virginia who wants a perm, but it leads to all sorts of complications in her home life and school life. The movie addresses vanity, or just the general desire to fit in, even at the expense of one's true identity. The characters are developed enough so that we feel for them, even when they do questionable things. I thought that the dad's toupee and moustache made him look like Bruce Campbell. Will any of us EVER be content with just our natural hair?

It's not a masterpiece, but a good piece of work. I hope to see more movies from Ms. Burson in the coming years.

cute family movie laughed many times

[kitkhaos · 9/10 · 17 November 2017]

I had the pleasure of seeing this movie at the VA film festival and was so pleasantly surprised at how funny, light heart-ed, and family friendly (13 and up) it was. I understand why more females are rating this movie higher, because I could not see my husband and his buddies relating to it. (no guns,explosions or man man stuff) But if you want to see a smart,feel good, laugh out loud, and have a good time movie this is it. I laughed so much, I totally had, that hair at that age. I am going with my two daughters to see Permanent when opens in LA, I think it is going to be a great fun girls night out. I love Patricia Arquette in this movie and Rainn Wilson completely broke out of his "Dwight role" I can not believe he was funnier than expected. Kira McLean was such a great little actress, really funny and held her own with such large names working on this film, I look forward to seeing more from her.

I'm 14 all over again!

[fatref350 · 10/10 · 14 March 2018]

Arquette's hilarious performance leads a cast of unknowns (except Wilson) through 1982, small-town Virginia. The writing is spot on and the characters (many local, untrained actors) are as believable as can be. Nena Daniels, a local, steals every scene she's in. This is not a typical 80s, Hollywood, high school angst movie. There is nothing Hollywood about it and school life is only half the story. The other half is family - your family - no matter how quirky, weird or embarrassing they may be. If you went to middle school or high school during this period - like me - absolutely everything in this film will strike a chord. You will watch it and say, "I knew a kid like that! I had a teacher like that! My parents, my weird neighbor, our kitchen, my school, those eye glasses, those outfits, those horrible hairdos, the local beauty college, the goofy townspeople - I remember that stuff!" *****10 stars for 90 minutes of quirky fun and memories (and 3 minutes of School House Rocks!)*****

quirky, fresh comedy with depth

[onaona-74151 · 10/10 · 12 November 2017]

This is the type of film that may fly under the radar, but with the right distribution and support, could be a breakout hit. Looking at a summary of the plot, may be easy to dismiss as "teenage girl coming of age story" or "teen comedy with a heart" and thus not get the attention it deserves. But it is in fact a very closely observed, detailed and fresh examination of a family using the idea of hair styles and how they shape a person's public persona and inner self-esteem. The film is filled with unexpected twists and created a nuanced, at times hysterical, portrait of a small southern town. Fantastic performances. Though very funny, there is also a poignancy to it which never becomes sentimental or easy. Really hope this finds a mass audience, for if it does, it will be a hit.

Family challenges can be funny

[mr_mrs_grundmanis · 8/10 · 28 October 2017]

Seen at the 2017 Twin Cities Film Festival, Permanent is a funny, charming movie about a family feeling uncomfortable as they start in a new town, based on the director's real-life experiences. Kira McLean is amazing, and Rainn Wilson and Patricia Arquette play off each other very well! Touches on racism.

I find myself wishing that this film could be seen nationally by all my friends, and again in the Twin Cities theaters. Also, I would like to see a toll-free number/contact added for assistance if someone is being bullied.

Lots of Laughs and Great

[tiarenee-13911 · 10/10 · 12 November 2017]

I saw this movie at the Virginia Film Festival and absolutely loved it. I normally don't go watch a lot of comedies because I tend to think many of them are just too silly and unbelievable but this movie made me (and everyone else in the theater) laugh a lot. Rainn Wilson did an outstanding performance as the father as did Patricia Arquette as the mother. This movie brought back so many memories of life in the early eighties when things were much simpler and was full of laughs while still being totally believable. There was so much attention to detail I felt like I had been transported back in time. It was great seeing the awful clothes we wore, the tacky, awful household decor and the BAD HAIR! The movie kept moving and kept me constantly entertained. Permanent would make a great TV series. If it comes out in theaters in my area I will probably go see it again. It doesn't disappoint.

Honestly one of the sweetest movies I've seen this year

[rannaluv-79-711891 · 8/10 · 12 July 2020]

I dont know why this movie is rated so low. I really and truly loved this film. It has comedy...drama...cute kids...funny parents....and bad hair! I loved the part where Lydia recites her poem. It made me cry! So much goodness. I have it saved so I can re watch with family and friends.

Delightful

[jentheluvbug · 8/10 · 2 June 2020]

I don't know what the naysayers are talking about and I don't know anything about "fake" positive reviews...I found the movie to be very enjoyable. R. Wilson was definitely not just "Dwight" again.