Imperfect: Love, Carrer, and... Okay, Let’s Stop Body Shaming, Shall We?

A movie review by Stephany “Teppy” Josephine

2020 is near and until now, for 32 years, I still don’t know what is the best way to handle my insecurity. The longer I live, the crueller the world is. Back in the days, negative comments about body shape came from the inner circle. But now, even strangers can say bad things about someone’s physical appearance.

Whenever I spend some sleepless nights looking at pretty ladies on Instagram. Those ladies who are slim and fit the outfits, no flabby tummy or no need to hold their breath when their pictures are taken. Or their smooth complexion plus perfect hair although it might take forever to iron their hair.

It’s tiring to live in such an era where everything is expected to be perfect. You really have to control voices inside your head otherwise you’ll lose your confidence listening to those bad comments and feel down once you see those beautiful people. If we try hard to keep up and listen to the comments, we’ll slowly believe that our value is just not valuable.

As someone who got a lot of trouble, Ernest’s fifth movie, adapted from his wife’s (Meira Anastasia) book, really soothed me after watching it.

The last line is something I say every time I look at Kendall Jenner’s Instagram whose body is such perfection and a blessing from God which I adore (and hate) while I’m eating this KFC chicken. Who told them to open 24/7? #YHA

We can find this kind of scene in Imperfect, which I think somehow I can relate to Rara, the main character in this movie who’s bullied by her mom, friends, and people at her office like Mean Girls.

same energy

Aside from that, she actually has a strong support system, his boyfriend Dika who is sweet and funny. He loves Rara so much. A bit unrealistic but it’s not impossible!

Kissing a dirty helmet is not a problem when you love someone that much.Watch out those lips, Sir!

There’s also Fey, Rara’s badass best friend. An ignorant yet super cool girl. I swear I really wanna be like Fey. Her ignorance makes her awesome and she doesn’t give a damn about how bitter people’s comments are.

Rara is the first child whose physical appearance looks a bit like her dad. Curly hair, tanned, chubby. While her sister, Lulu, is the favourite because she really looks like her mom. Tall, slim, fair skin, beautifully long hair. Typical beautiful girls who are admired in Indonesia, so far I know. At first, I was worried that Rara would be trapped in this stereotype of an Indonesian girl who is sometimes underestimated. Tanned, curly hair and plump are sometimes considered not pretty enough or attractive. That’s the physical part, not the brain. No matter how you look, I believe there are some brilliant girls with a great attitude out there.

Luckily the fear I’ve had doesn’t happen because I believe it’s impossible for Ernest and Meira to let their work become shallow. Although yes the story is very honest. Everything is just in your face!

“Don’t be like this.”

“Hey, that’s okay. Don’t have to listen to or upset with whatever netizens say.” etc.

There’s no implicit message, everything here is explicit. Some might like metaphors or “read between the lines” kind of type but you won’t get any of them here. However, there’s a lot to tell, literally. Like the one when netizens pass the buck on Instagram’s comment parts while the one who’s reading it takes it seriously and it may leave scars forever.

LET’S NOT DO THAT.

All in all, those who have gone on a diet where you only consume veggies, fruit, water and wind. Those who spend forever to work out but the weight stay the same (welcome slow metabolism). And those who crave for a body like Kendall Jenner but still have a midnight snack like instant noodle, you surely can relate to the movie.

There’s nothing wrong with your wish to be and feel better and also confident with yourself. As long as you’re not looking for validation and being too much until you get sick, you do you, baby.

Imperfect is a heart-warming and funny movie. I really like the chemistry between Dika and the mom. It feels real. And I really want Rara to be married to Dika right away so she can live with Dika’s mom. Dika’s mom is cool, never says anything about body shaming just like her own mom who always talks about her thighs. Better talk about KFC’s chicken thighs. #still

The show-stealer in this movie is the girl gang in the boarding house. Usually, in Ernest’s movies, there’s this strong friendship which has always been comic relief. I personally really like the appearance of this girl gang which is so hilarious. The chemistry is good, the comedic timing is even better. The champion is, of course, Neti, starred by Kiki Saputri. Man, I wish I had her confidence! Like seriously, Rara should be friends with Fey PLUS Neti. I’m sure those three can fight against the world with the power of cakwe.

Okay, I’m done talking here. Better find out yourself, yes? Enjoy the movie, peeps!

To make it perfect, watch this movie with your pals and book the tickets from Traveloka Xperience. You'll get a discount coupon of 50% (maximum value of IDR 100,000) with a minimum transaction of6 (six) seatsin one Booking ID. So, what are you waiting for?

Check more for the promo. Let’s just say you find your own entertainment, better than being insecure let’s be grateful for having the time to watch Imperfect. And it’s cheap! #yeah