'The Perfect Find' is Far from Perfect, but It's Celebration of Black Love and Black Hollywood is Welcome






"The Perfect Find," the Netflix movie based on Tia Williams' novel and directed by Numa Perrier, presents an engaging story centered around Jenna, a 40-year-old woman navigating her career, biological clock, and financial situation. Starring Gabrielle Union and Keith Power, the film follows Jenna's risky decision to engage in a clandestine romance with someone who has the potential to jeopardize her professional comeback. While the movie remains a faithful adaptation of the book, it falls slightly short in building the passionate connection between Jenna and Eric. Furthermore, character development feels somewhat limited compared to its literary counterpart.

Union, who visually embodies the essence of Jenna, unfortunately falls slightly short in capturing the character's vulnerability and depth. While she looks the part, there is a missed opportunity to fully delve into Jenna's emotional journey. On the other hand, Powers, who exudes undeniable handsomeness, fails to fully embody Eric's confidence and tenacity. Despite his charming appearance, there is a disconnect in capturing the character's inner strength. This disparity between the actors and their characters hampers the film's ability to fully realize the complexity and authenticity of Jenna and Eric's relationship.

However, despite the slight disparities in capturing Jenna's vulnerability and Eric's confidence, the chemistry between Union and Powers is evident on screen. Their interactions carry a certain magnetic energy, elevating the tension and romance in the story.

One aspect that stands out is Perrier's ability to capture the essence of classic Black Hollywood and fashion, paying homage to the glamorous era. The visual representation and attention to stylistic detail add a touch of elegance and nostalgia to the film. The aesthetics beautifully complement the narrative, offering a captivating visual experience. Also, many of the changes were made to showcase Black love and Black culture, in a way that is often missing from current day media. 

Yet, "The Perfect Find" does suffer from its time constraint. As a movie rather than a longer format such as a limited series, it struggles to fully explore and depict the important moments within Jenna and Eric's story. This truncation leaves some pivotal aspects feeling rushed or omitted, resulting in missed opportunities to delve deeper into their relationship dynamics and personal growth.

While "The Perfect Find" may not match the book's ability to build intense passion between the characters or fully develop their complexities, it still manages to provide an enjoyable viewing experience. The film successfully pays homage to classic Black Hollywood and fashion, transporting audiences to an era of elegance and style. However, due to its shorter runtime, some significant moments and character arcs feel somewhat rushed or overlooked. Overall, "The Perfect Find" offers a pleasant cinematic adaptation but could have benefited from a longer format to fully explore the depths of its story and characters.


Shaquanna Stevens is a public school educator, film critic, and mother of three. When she's not in the classroom, she’s diving into the world of cinema, offering insightful reviews with a personal touch.

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