Waste of time

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

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!

Permanent is a enjoyable and sweet comedy about revolving around a pre-teen with the awkward name of Aurelie who is the new girl at her school in 1982 Virginia. Desperately trying to find a way to fit in, she asks her parents for a perm, a request she immediately regrets. The film also features Aurelie's parents, Jim (Rainn Wilson) and Jeanne (Patricia Arquette), two misplaced adults trying to find their place in the world. The film is very entertaining in depicting the family's misadventures with plenty of awkward but endearing moments. There are also great supporting characters. One of which who steals the show is Aurelie's no-nonsense, witty, and very pregnant teacher Mrs. Tripp (played by Abby Wathen). Wathen's characters is attempting to balance the stresses she is feeling in both the personal and professional aspects of her life, while giving us some of the film's best laughs in her attempts tame the pre-teens she is trying to educate. I highly recommend this film, it is for all of us who have made misplaced efforts in our desire to fit in.

My wife, two daughters and I loved this movie! This is definitely a family film that captures the love, quirkiness and team effort that goes into being a family. Patricia Arquette is amazing as a mom holding everything together, while her daughter, played by Kira McLean shines as the girl struggling to find her place in a new school, in a new town, with a horrible accidental-perm! The dad-daughter chemistry between Rainn Wilson (who crushed it) and Kira McLean was spot-on. The attention to detail of the scenery, and the combination of tension and love between the characters gives this movie its credibility. Great film!

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.