The Age of Commercialism

Good concept, poorly executed.

A Masterpiece!

Blistering performances.

PBS's "Wonderworks" series must've been an "After School Special" for younger kids. "How to Be a Perfect Person in Just Three Days" deals with the issue of self-esteem. Another one, "Necessary Parties" (featuring a very young Mark-Paul Gosselar) addressed kid's and the issue of divorce, for example. They were nice little productions reminiscent of those Saturday afternoon short-movies that Nickelodean used to produce in Canada (what the heck happened to those?!).This is a movie based on the novel, "How to Be a Perfect in Just Three Days." A very young Ilan-Mitchell Smith ("Weird Science", "The Chocolate War") stars as accident prone Milo Crimpley, something that seems to have gotten worse over time. Milo is made to be like that Beverly Cleary chariacature of imperfection, one that is comical, though a little exaggerated. Milo, however, finds an opportunity to get rid of embarrassing accident-prone nature when he stumbles across an advertisement from Professor Silverfish (the hilarious Wallace Shawn), who has a sort of seminar on "How to Be a Perfect in Just Three Days." So, Milo signs up.Basically, it is just a test in self-esteem, though Milo expects to be an absolutely perfect kid. Silverfish's little three day assignments are meant to make Milo a bolder person, one with will power, and one who is willing to accept challenges when he doubts his abilities most. In actuality, the assignments are just intended to get Milo to accept himself. Because, as Silverfish says: "Why would anyone want to be perfect, anyway? You can't do anything wrong. So, then you don't do anything." It isn't a horribly corny movie, and it is a rather funny one for younger kids who might be able to appreciate it, despite the dated appearance.

Great performance by Wallace Shawn and some good dialogue make this a good show. Originally aired as part of PBS's "Wonderworks" program, and based on a short novel by Daniel Manus Pinkwater. Milo is the perfect junior-high nerd without becoming a caricature, and Wallace Shawn plays his character as the pure caricature that the role calls for. And the message of the movie? Why try to be perfect? Just be yourself. If your kid doesn't quite fit in (but not in the violent shoot-up-his-school way), show them this video and they will feel a lot better about themselves. Highly recommended.