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6.7/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.7/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Perfect Control remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Honestly, it depends on how much you like old-school whimsy. If you want a gritty drama, stay away. But if you're the kind of person who enjoys black-and-white curiosities where the rules of reality are basically just suggestions, you'll probably get a kick out of it. It’s a very short trip, which is a mercy.
The whole thing feels like a fever dream you’d have after eating too much candy. You’re in this painfully stiff classroom, and then poof—Babe Ruth is just there. He isn't introduced, he doesn't have an origin story, he’s just present. It’s glorious.
There’s a moment where Ruth starts teaching the boys how to pitch, and the cinematography gets weirdly intimate. Like, we’re looking at his grip on the ball for way longer than is necessary. It’s almost hypnotic. I found myself checking my own grip on my coffee mug just to feel involved.
The kids are playing the part of "bored students" so hard it hurts. You can practically see them checking their watches behind their desks. It’s a reminder that child acting hasn't really changed much since the dawn of cinema.
It reminds me a bit of the frantic, slightly disjointed energy you find in The Delicatessen Kid, though with significantly less food and more baseball bats. It doesn't have the emotional weight of something like A Woman's Heart, but it isn't trying to. It’s just trying to be a fun afternoon dream.
Is the ending abrupt? Absolutely. It just stops. One minute you’re learning to throw a curveball, the next you’re staring at the credits. It leaves you feeling like you just woke up from a nap. ⚾