Flawless (1999)

44% of critics liked it
(55 reviews)
54% of users liked it
(7,131 ratings)

Can a homophobic former rent-a-cop find happiness learning to sing with a man in a dress? That's the big question in this comedy-drama. A retired security guard (Robert De Niro), deeply conservative and set in his ways, falls victim to a debilitating stroke. His doctors prescribe an extensive… More Can a homophobic former rent-a-cop find happiness learning to sing with a man in a dress? That's the big question in this comedy-drama. A retired security guard (Robert De Niro), deeply conservative and set in his ways, falls victim to a debilitating stroke. His doctors prescribe an extensive program of physical therapy once he's released from the hospital, including singing lessons to help him regain his full powers of speech. As it turns out, there's a vocal instructor living next door to the guard, so he signs up only to discover that his new teacher is a flamboyant drag queen awaiting a sex-change operation (Philip Seymour Hoffman). Written and directed by Joel Schumacher, Flawless also stars Wilson Jermaine Heredia and Daphne Rubin-Vega, both of whom first gained notice in the Broadway musical Rent, as well as Rory Cochran and Barry Miller. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 52 min.
Directed By: Joel Schumacher
Written By: Joel Schumacher
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Nov 24, 1999 Wide
On DVD: Aug 15, 2001
Studio: MGM Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, Variety
Outdated and schematic, this two-character melodrama belongs to the 1970s, when transsexuals were "novel" dramatic persona; even the gifted Philip Seymour Hoffman is defeated by the writing and direction.
Steve Murray, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Its weary clichés and flat comic bits are apparently supposed to be fresh and insightful.
Charles Taylor, Salon.com
You need a pair of huge, hairy ones to make a picture this bad and call it "Flawless."
Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle
"Flawless" is contrived and overly schematic, but De Niro and Hoffman are such good actors that it never slips into pat sentiment.
Stephen Holden, New York Times
So awful it just might put an end to Hollywood's hypocritical infatuation with men in drag as symbols of its own supposedly liberated sexual attitudes.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
Any humanity in the script is diluted to the point of nonexistence by Schumacher's refusal to allow any of his characters to develop beyond the stereotype stage.
Betsy Bozdech, Reel.com
This character-driven drama is a charming, often-funny story about two lost souls finding solace and friendship in each other.
, Time Out
For what it's worth, this could be Schumacher's best film.
Robin Clifford, Reeling Reviews
...a well-balance work that captures the often jaw dropping performances by the dancers.
Chris Gore, Film Threat
What's worse than a film directed by Joel Schumacher? How about a film written and directed by Joel Schumacher?
Jeffrey Westhoff, Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)
De Niro and Hoffman deliver the goods, but they are lost within a cockamamie, violent subplot that pulls down everything.

Read all 11 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Fernando Rafael Q

Philip Seymour Hoffman's master-class performance as troubled drag queen Rusty sadly goes to waste in this laughable film. "Rusty" stands as the lone well-written character in this pathetic "drama". FLAWLESS's terrible directing, editing and writing,… More
Philip Seymour Hoffman's master-class performance as troubled drag queen Rusty sadly goes to waste in this laughable film. "Rusty" stands as the lone well-written character in this pathetic "drama". FLAWLESS's terrible directing, editing and writing, as well as its inappropriate soundtrack (a peppy samba for chase scenes/gunfights, really?) and a forgettable turn by Robert De Niro are no match for Hoffman's insane talent as a character actor.
Anthony L

Contrived nonsense. Robert De Niro & Philip Seymour Hoffman are better than this. Joel Schumacher however, is not.
Lady D

Another great film from Joel Schumacher, with a great performance from De Niro (as always) who very convincingly played a Stroke patient, but even more impressive was the performance given by Philip Seynour Hoffman, who delivered (in my opinion) his best performance to date. I love… More
Another great film from Joel Schumacher, with a great performance from De Niro (as always) who very convincingly played a Stroke patient, but even more impressive was the performance given by Philip Seynour Hoffman, who delivered (in my opinion) his best performance to date. I love the way this unlikely friendship develops and is a very enjoyable film.
Panta O

I cannot believe that this film is so underrated... I found the story of Walter Koontz (Robert De Niro) - highly decorated "local hero" police officer - amazing! Well developed and done with warmness - warmness missing from most of the movies today! The real story starts… More
I cannot believe that this film is so underrated... I found the story of Walter Koontz (Robert De Niro) - highly decorated "local hero" police officer - amazing! Well developed and done with warmness - warmness missing from most of the movies today! The real story starts when one night, Walter hears gunshots upstairs, and while ascending to help he suffers a stroke. Awakening with the right side of his body paralysed is something he is not used to, and his poor speech and posture gives a massive blow to his ego... so much that Walter becomes ashamed to be seen in public. Rusty (Philip Seymour Hoffman) is one of Walter's drag queen neighbours and the two are at-odds constantly due to their differing lifestyles. Rusty has a desire to undergo a transsexual operation, but lacks the money to do so. When Walter comes to Rusty to use his musical talents for voice lessons to overcome his impediment, the pair while at first argumentative and uncomfortable with the other begin to become friends. Good acting from two real stars, but nothing spectacular. The screenplay is sometimes very rough around the edges... but it is real as it can be... Joel Schumacher did well in that part, but the directing was too formulaic, and that is the reason for the lower rating! This film could be so much better if he was a little bit braver! He suffers a massive blow to his ego, and Walter becomes ashamed to be seen in public in such a fashion. Rusty (Philip Seymour Hoffman) is one of Walter's drag queen neighbors and the two are at-odds constantly due to their differing lifestyles. Rusty has a desire to undergo a transsexual operation, but lacks the money to do so. When Walter comes to Rusty to use his musical talents for voice lessons to overcome his impediment, the pair while at first argumentative and uncomfortable with the other begin to become friends.
Mike T

One of the main issues I have with this movie is that I can't possibly think of who Schumacher was trying to speak to with his script. It's not completely effective as a comedy or a drama, but it still has solid moments as a picture classified as either genre. De Niro and… More
One of the main issues I have with this movie is that I can't possibly think of who Schumacher was trying to speak to with his script. It's not completely effective as a comedy or a drama, but it still has solid moments as a picture classified as either genre. De Niro and Hoffman, brilliant as usual, allowed me to take the movie for what it is and enjoy it. Both men provide performances that stretch their physical and emotional limits, making it an interesting view for anyone who enjoys some high quality acting.
Marcus W

De Niro as a tough retired cop. Hoffman as a insecure drag queen. And Schumacher proving yet again that the lower his budget, the better the film. It's certainly not flawless, and it does slip into cliches - but thankfully, the character work and acting from the leads carries the… More
De Niro as a tough retired cop. Hoffman as a insecure drag queen. And Schumacher proving yet again that the lower his budget, the better the film. It's certainly not flawless, and it does slip into cliches - but thankfully, the character work and acting from the leads carries the film. Definitely worth checking out.
Leo L

Absolutely love this movie! A personal favorite.