Arquette is charmingly endearing as the frustrated Jeanne, Wilson movingly conveys his character's vulnerability as well as his bluster and McLean is terrific as the beleaguered young girl desperate to have a mane like Farrah Fawcett's.

As Auralie, Ms. McLean is appealing and fresh-faced and could do well in a better coming-of-age movie in a few years.

It's not without its charms; they just tend to be suffocated by bad wig jokes, distracting wardrobe choices and Craig Wedren's invasively cutesy score.

Both bizarre and charming, the sincerity of Permanent is refreshingly sweet and a timeless take on coming-of-age.