Why is everything portrayed as perfect in movies?

They are not all perfect, but I can see where you are coming from.

For pure escapism mainly, but this is only for mainstream movies anywhere in the world. I think what you mean is why things have to be so overtly hopeful and sensationalistic as most American teen flicks and romantic comedies obviously are.

Movies were created as escapism since they started shooting them, sort of like day dreams. They mirror our most common and necessary desires so we end up a little more hopeful about everything.

If you're wondering why people need hope given to them by a presentation of complete fiction, you might want to consider the fact that the first movies were created during WW1. Any hope is good when you have none to speak of. You might even go so far as to surmise that WE exist today because of the little hope out forefathers got from those first films.

I am a long winded person I know ;-)

You need to seek out a wider selection of movies I think. Not everything is made by shiney, fake Hollywood for a start. But sticking with Hollywood style movies try finding out films staring these few random people who aren't handsome/pretty or perfect but have done some great stuff:

Willem Defoe

John Malkovich

Kathy Bates

Hilary Swank

James Cagney

Katherine Hepburn

Anthony Hopkins

I could probably think of loads more but there's just a few of Hollywood's less perfect people who've done some less than 'perfect world' stuff.

Schindler's List

Saving Private Ryan

A Clockwork Orange

2001 - A Space Odyssey

Alien

Because for most people the point of watching a film is for a bit of escapism from their own unperfect or even unhappy lives they live. It is also nice to lose yourself in a story without having to think about problems or things you need to do.

Whats eating gilbert grape- johnny is not super hot in that movie the mom is heavy sisters aren't anything great and ardie is retarded nothing magical there

Not ALL movies -- but some typical movies...

And why... Because most people go to the movies to forget.

They have to forget their own small home, their troubles

and their sorrows... They are looking for the perfect illusion.

Just let them dream --- who are we to judge them !??

Aaron.

There are many movies that portray characters realistically. Crash is one that comes to mind.

American Splendor. Lots of these other movies feature fairly attractive people, even if the subject matter is realistic. American Splendor does not.

no, but honestly who wants to go see a movie like that? I live real life everyday, cinema is supposed to be the escape.