Perfectly
Imperfect

Jake (Dermot Mulroney) is a no-nonsense, by-the-book single dad whose life is governed by routines and responsibilities. Having dedicated himself to raising his daughters, Claudia—a studious bookworm—and Jo, a business major with dreams of being a dancer, Jake has lost touch with spontaneity and personal joy. When his daughters insist he join a dating app, they're convinced it's time for him to shake things up. But after a series of disastrous dates, Jake decides to put romance on hold and focus on the upcoming family reunion cruise, hoping for quality time with his daughters, as well as to reconnect with his quirky, unpredictable family.

The trip is organized by Jake's childhood friend, Reuben (Brian Austin Green), a charming, competitive free spirit with a quick wit and a love for adventure. But Jake's well-planned vacation takes a sudden turn when he literally bumps into Meg (Malin Akerman)—one of the women he had a disastrous date with before the trip. The chemistry between them was undeniable, but the date was a total disaster, and neither of them expected to cross paths again. But fate has other plans.

It turns out that Reuben is also interested in Meg, and soon Jake and Reuben find themselves competing for her attention. Their competitive natures, long a part of their friendship and history, now take center stage in a hilarious battle to win Meg over—each trying to charm her in his own unique way.

Encouraged by Jake's lively family, who relish every moment of the unexpected, Jake and Meg get a second chance to explore what could have been. As the days pass on the cruise and in the Bahamas, they realize that while neither of them is perfect, they might just be perfectly imperfect for each other.

Through laughter, heartfelt conversations, and surprising discoveries, Jake and Meg learn that their past mistakes don't define them. They discover that sometimes the most fulfilling connections come from embracing flaws and stepping outside of your comfort zone.

Is this vacation the beginning of a new chapter for Jake, or will he fall back into old patterns? In the end, Jake and Meg discover that the imperfections they once saw as flaws may just be what makes them the perfect match.

From the very beginning, I wanted this film to feel like an experience, one that invites the audience to be swept away by the vast beauty, the romance, and the lighthearted adventure of a cruise that takes on a life of its own. The concept of a family reunion on the open seas provided the perfect backdrop, and when I had the incredible opportunity to shoot aboard Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas, alongside the stunning private island of CocoCay in the Bahamas, I knew I had a world-class setting to share my funny fun filled fairytale.

The ship itself became more than just a backdrop. It became a character in the story. A part of the family. Part of the adventure. The sheer grandeur of the Utopia of the Seas provided spectacular locations in which my characters were able to immerse themselves. There were expansive decks, sweeping staircases, beautiful gardens, amazing restaurants (one even on a train on a ship!), numerous swimming pools, water slides, and breathtaking views. You name it, and it's likely on the Utopia. All of this allowed me to frame moments with symmetry, while giving the film a sense of scale and wonder that mirrors the characters' emotional journeys.

The grandiosity of the ship's architecture felt like an ideal visual metaphor for the larger-than-life personalities of the characters and their evolving relationships. I often used the symmetry of the ship in our shots, even locking off shots, to emphasize how we sometimes can get stuck with a defined mindset, but with a little rocking of the ship, begin to loosen up. See the greater picture. Conversely, I used asymmetry and gave the camera motion, to contrast between the characters and their environment, particularly when exemplifying tensions between family, but especially between Jake, Reuben, and Meg, which culminates in their eventual resolution of finding love and harmony amongst friends and family.

Filming on Royal Caribbean's private island, CocoCay, added another layer of magic to the story. The pristine beaches, the crystal-clear waters, and the vibrant, sun-soaked island environment lent themselves to the feeling of a fresh start. It gave everyone the permission to let go, and let lose a bit. The natural beauty of the island was an essential part of their journey, reflecting on the idea that even amidst imperfection, there's a place to reset, and find new beginnings.

In terms of tone, I wanted the film to blend romance, humor, and personal growth with a sense of silliness. The locations, both grand and intimate, served as the perfect backdrop for a story about two people learning to embrace their flaws and accept that love often comes when you least expect it. I also leaned into the vibrant, unpredictable energy of Jake's quirky family, ensuring that the cruise ship's eclectic atmosphere mirrored their offbeat charm.

Ultimately, the film is about connection. Whether it's between family, friends, unexpected love, or one's renewed sense of adventure. The ship and the island serve as metaphors for that journey. Of possibility. Where people can reinvent themselves and discover new facets of their lives. I wanted to take the audience on a fun adventure, but also on an emotional voyage, as Jake and Meg discover their own unexpected paths to happiness, surrounded by the grandeur of the ship, the endless horizon, and the joyous chaos of family.

Working aboard a ship like Utopia of the Seas and in such a visually stunning environment, was both an incredible challenge and an amazing privilege. Ultimately it was an opportunity I couldn't turn down. The vastness of the locations, paired with the personal stakes of the story, allowed me to explore the spaces between moments. The way that vast, beautiful settings, can make people feel both insignificant, as well as infinitely capable.

This is a movie about imagining what's perfect, but embracing the imperfect, which may very well be perfect for you. There's no better place to tell that story, than on the magnificent Utopia of the Seas, while sailing toward new horizons. The ship, the cast, and the crew will forever remain at the center of my heart. Memories immortalized on film (or I should say in ones and zeros nowadays ;)