Permanent (2017) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Permanent is set in a small town in Virginia during the early 1980s. The community is tight-knit and shaped by local schools, beauty shops, and small-town rivalries, where the social scene revolves around appearance, popularity, and conformity.

• small town
• virginia
• setting
• location

The film takes place in 1982, a year defined by big hair and bold fashion. The town reflects early-80s culture with its beauty salons, school competitions, and social hierarchies, emphasizing gender norms and the search for belonging in a changing America.

• 1982
• 1980s
• time period
• era

The title 'Permanent' refers to Aurelie's desire to get a permanent hairstyle to fit in with the popular 'Farrah Fawcett' look. The disastrous hair processing becomes a visible symbol of how appearance can define perceived worth in the small-town social environment.

• permanent
• hair
• farrah fawcett
• title meaning

Aurelie's desire to fit in drives much of the story as she seeks a permanent to resemble the popular Farrah Fawcett look. The disastrous hair processing becomes a visible symbol of how appearance can define perceived worth, examining how image affects self-esteem and how characters use appearance to navigate social spaces.

• self-image
• appearance
• beauty standards
• self esteem

The school acts as a pressure cooker where peers enforce beauty norms and cliques. Aurelie faces bullying from the popular girls, while Lydia's movements within the group highlight the changing dynamics of belonging. The narrative shows how performance and conformity can shape identity and choices.

• social pressure
• school
• bullying
• cliques
• conformity

Lydia, the only Black student at school, represents the struggle for acceptance within a predominantly white environment. Aurelie's attempt to befriend Lydia, and Lydia's initial reluctance, underscore the barriers and potential for genuine connection, exploring belonging beyond surface appearances.

• inclusion
• race
• belonging
• friendship
• acceptance

Jim is attached to his hairpiece and resists removing it, even at the pool or during intimate moments. His attachment to the hairpiece mirrors his fear of vulnerability, representing his struggle with pride and emotional concealment throughout the film.

• jim
• hairpiece
• vulnerability
• pride
• symbolism

Jim and Jeanne navigate a fragile marriage strained by new roles and unfulfilled desires. Jim's attachment to his hairpiece reflects his fear of vulnerability, while Jeanne seeks artistic fulfillment and connection. Their parallel journeys create the emotional core of the film.

• family
• marriage
• jeanne
• jim
• relationships

Aurelie is the new girl from Washington, D.C. who wants a permanent to fit in with the town's beauty ideals. After a disastrous makeover, she faces bullying and self-doubt but shows resilience by taking karate and entering a poetry contest, reflecting growth amid social pressure.

• aurelie
• main character
• girl
• new student

Lydia is the only Black girl at school, initially rebuffing Aurelie's friendship attempt. She participates in a poetry contest and wins the top prize, later offering Aurelie money to fix her hair. Her presence highlights issues of race, friendship, and what it means to belong.

• lydia
• black student
• poetry contest
• friend

The small-town Virginia setting amplifies Aurelie's struggle to fit in, with the town's social scene revolving around appearance, popularity, and conformity. Beauty shops and local rivalries create an environment where image becomes central to social acceptance.

• beauty culture
• small town
• social hierarchy
• conformity

Permanent is a comedy with a bittersweet tone, balancing the sadness of social rejection and family tensions with moments of growth and connection. The film maintains a gentle, observational quality while exploring personal struggles and the enduring bonds that help the family persevere.

• comedy
• bittersweet
• tone
• emotional tone