Imperfect (2019) Review: A Warm Case for Self-Worth

Is Imperfect worth watching?

Yes. Imperfect is one of the most likeable Indonesian comedies of recent years, a crowd-pleaser that uses laughter to tackle beauty standards with real sincerity. Ernest Prakasa balances sharp ensemble comedy with a story that many viewers will recognise from their own lives, and Jessica Mila gives the lead role warmth and conviction. The reservation is subtlety: the film states its message plainly, sometimes more than once, and its dramatic turns follow a familiar course.

What is Imperfect about?

Imperfect centres on Rara (Jessica Mila), a smart, capable young woman in Jakarta who has spent her life being compared unfavourably with the women around her. Her mother, a former model, and her slim, social-media-savvy younger sister fit neatly into conventional ideas of beauty; Rara, heavier and darker-skinned, does not, and the comments come from family, strangers and colleagues alike. Her boyfriend Dika (Reza Rahadian) loves her exactly as she is.

The pressure comes to a head at work. Rara is employed by a cosmetics company, and when a promotion comes within reach, it is made clear that looking the part matters as much as doing the job. She sets out to change herself, and the film follows what that choice gives her and what it costs. Ernest Prakasa directs this Indonesian production in Indonesian, adapting a book by his wife and co-writer Meira Anastasia, and it runs 114 minutes. It was a major hit in Indonesian cinemas and earned Citra Award nominations for Best Picture and Best Actress.

Comedy with a point, not a lecture

Prakasa is one of Indonesian cinema’s most dependable comic directors, and his gift here is to let the jokes carry the argument. Some of the film’s best scenes belong to Rara’s circle of friends, a boisterous group whose banter provides running commentary on the absurd expectations placed on women’s bodies. The humour punches at the system rather than at Rara, which is exactly the right choice for a story like this.

The workplace satire is equally pointed. A company that sells products promising confidence is shown quietly demanding conformity from its own staff, and the irony is played for laughs without losing its sting. The film is sharp about how beauty pressure passes between women, from mothers to daughters and between sisters, and it treats these relationships with more nuance than the premise might suggest.

Jessica Mila and Reza Rahadian

Jessica Mila makes Rara easy to root for. She is funny and self-deprecating in the early scenes, and as the pressure mounts she shows how insecurity can harden into something closer to anger. The performance is warm without asking for pity, and the Citra nomination was deserved.

Reza Rahadian, one of the most versatile actors in Indonesia, gives Dika a relaxed decency that makes the romance believable. The supporting cast, especially the actors playing Rara’s mother and sister, keep the family scenes from turning into simple villainy; each woman has her own insecurities, and the film lets us see them.

Where the message gets heavy

For all its charm, Imperfect is not a subtle film. Its central idea is announced early and restated through dialogue at key moments, and the second half leans on predictable conflicts and reconciliations. The 114-minute running time also includes some repetition in the middle stretch. None of this undercuts the film’s warmth, but viewers hoping for a sharper, more ambiguous take on body image will find it conventional.

Who should watch Imperfect?

It is ideal for anyone who enjoys Indonesian mainstream comedy, for families with teenagers, and especially for viewers who have felt judged for their appearance. It works well as a group watch with friends or family. Content is mild: some teasing and body-shaming language that the film clearly criticises, a few emotional family arguments and light romantic scenes.

If you enjoy it, these are good next picks:

• Jumbo, an Indonesian animated film about a boy who is teased for his size and longs to be seen for his abilities.
• Arisan!, Nia Dinata’s sharp comedy-drama about the social pressures of Jakarta’s upper-middle class.
• Agak Laen: Menyala Pantiku!, for another big-hearted Indonesian comedy powered by an ensemble of comic performers.

The verdict

Imperfect is a warm, funny and useful comedy-drama that turns a familiar message about self-acceptance into genuine entertainment. It may spell things out too clearly, but Jessica Mila’s performance and Ernest Prakasa’s lively ensemble make it easy to recommend.

Rating: 4/5