Permanent

Aurelie is the new girl in town, having relocated from Washington, D.C. Her father Jim is a former steward for Air Force One who is attending college on a scholarship to become a physician, while Jeanne is the breadwinner. The family moves into the 1982 small-town setting, beginning Aurelie's social climb and adjustment to a new life.

Aurelie asks her parents to help her fit in with the 'Farrah Fawcett' look and convinces them to let her get a permanent. They take her to a local beauty school for discounted processing, hoping to boost her popularity. The result is a disaster, making her resemble Little Orphan Annie more than the glamorous image she seeks.

Aurelie starts school and is immediately teased by nearly everyone. She tries to reach out to Lydia, the only Black girl in town, but Lydia rebuffs her. A group of popular girls continuously targets Aurelie, deepening her sense of isolation.

To defend herself, Aurelie reluctantly enrolls in a karate class and begins training. The physical discipline gives her a way to respond to bullying on her own terms. The experience also signals her growing resolve to change her standing in town.

Aurelie spots a sign offering permanent hair fixes for $60 and resolves to earn the money herself. She commits to the effort, hoping the change will help her blend in at school. The plan foreshadows the tension between appearance and identity that runs through the story.

The school announces a poetry reading contest with a top prize of $75. Aurelie signs up to participate, joining Lydia, who initially hesitates. The contest becomes a focal point for the girls' rivalry and Aurelie's desire to prove herself.

During the poetry contest, Lydia panics and recites the lyrics to Feeling Good instead of her assigned poem. The moment undermines her participation but also highlights the pressures of performance. Aurelie's presence adds to the tension in the competition.

In the middle of the contest, Aurelie faces the popular girls and uses her karate training to defeat them. The act shifts the dynamic at school and earns her a place back in the contest. After the confrontation, she returns to watch Lydia's performance.

Lydia is announced as the contest winner, a moment that quietly shifts the power balance between them. After the ceremony, Lydia offers Aurelie money to fix her hair, signaling a potential reconciliation or lingering conflicts. Aurelie declines, saying she no longer cares about fitting in through appearances.

Jim, who still wears a hairpiece, is told by his college counselor that he must take a swimming class to keep his scholarship. He returns to the pool repeatedly but cannot bring himself to put his head underwater or to swim without his hairpiece. The fear and vanity reflect the strains in his relationship with Jeanne.

Jeanne feels unfulfilled and begins an emotional affair with their neighbor Jerry, who offers to teach her art and help with family counseling. Jerry's mentorship quickly turns inappropriate as he comments on her breasts. The evolving dynamic foreshadows the unraveling of the family’s stability.

During a family counseling session, Jim affirms his love and commitment to Jeanne, signaling a potential reconciliation. The couple's discussions reveal underlying tensions but also a shared desire to repair their bonds. The counseling frames the film's emotional turning point.

The film culminates with the family at the school pool. Jim climbs the high dive, tosses his hairpiece away, and dives into the water, symbolizing a break with the past and a leap toward authenticity. Aurelie and Jeanne watch as the family faces the water together.