The Perfect Date

No beau? No problem. That's the sentiment that drives Brooks Rattigan, a resourceful and ambitious high school senior, in the Disney+ original movie "The Perfect Date". Brooks finds himself in a predicament as graduation looms and he's still without a girlfriend or a college scholarship to speak of. Determined to secure his future, he devises a plan that leverages his charisma, wit, and good looks to earn some much-needed cash. With the help of his tech-savvy friend Quentin, Brooks creates a dating app that lets him act as a virtual boyfriend. The app, called JDate, isn't meant to be taken seriously; its primary goal is to allow guys like Brooks who are struggling to find romance a chance to collect tips for going on fake dates and pretending to be interested. The first client Brooks lands is a popular high school student named Amanda, who is looking for a fake boyfriend to impress her family during parent-teacher night. Brooks is hesitant at first but sees an opportunity to earn some real money and agrees to play along. They strike a deal: Brooks will pretend to be Amanda's boyfriend in exchange for $100 per hour. As Brooks embarks on this venture, he discovers that he's good at it. He's charming, confident, and genuinely seems to care about his clients' feelings – at least, that's what they think they see. Before long, Brooks is inundated with requests from girls looking for fake boyfriends, each willing to pay top dollar for his services. However, things start to get complicated when Brooks begins to develop real feelings for one of his clients, a shy and book-smart girl named Shelby. Shelby is a fellow student at Brooks' school and initially agrees to hire him as a fake boyfriend. But as they spend more time together, Brooks finds himself genuinely falling for her. Despite his best efforts to maintain a façade of disinterest, Shelby starts to crack the mask, and Brooks is torn between his growing feelings and the knowledge that their relationship is built on a lie. Meanwhile, Amanda, Brooks' first client, becomes increasingly demanding and starts to develop feelings for Brooks herself. She pressures him to take their fake relationship to the next level, but Brooks is torn between his loyalty to Amanda and his growing connection with Shelby. As graduation approaches, Brooks must confront the consequences of his actions and decide where his heart truly lies. Does he stick with the comfortable, lucrative arrangement he has with Amanda, or does he risk everything to pursue a relationship with Shelby? Through Brooks' journey, the movie explores themes of love, identity, and the complexities of teenage relationships. It's a lighthearted, feel-good tale that pokes fun at the absurdity of online dating and the pressure to conform to societal expectations. Ultimately, Brooks learns to prioritize honesty and authenticity in his relationships, even when it's hard and uncertain. In a world where dating apps and social media reign supreme, "The Perfect Date" offers a refreshing reminder that true connections require vulnerability, empathy, and real human interaction. As the movie wraps up, Brooks and Shelby confess their feelings to each other, and the two share a romantic kiss under the bleachers, surrounded by the bustle of a high school graduation ceremony. It's a heartwarming, satisfying conclusion that suggests even the most imperfect relationships can lead to something truly special.