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Kevin Costner, Clint Eastwood, Laura Dern, T.J. Lowther, Keith Szarabajka ... see more see more... , Leo Burmeister , Paul Hewitt , Bradley Whitford , Ray McKinnon , Jennifer Griffin , Wayne de Hart , Linda Hart , Mary Alice , Margaret Bowman , Rodger Boyce , Connie Cooper , Darryl Cox , Lucy Lee Flippin , Gabriel Folse , Tony Frank , James W. Gavin , Ed Geldart , Gil Glasgow , Vernon Grote , Nik Hagler , George Haynes , Craig Hosking , John Hussey , John M. Jackson , James Jeter , Dennis Letts , Marietta Marich , Bruce McGill , Marco Perella , Elizabeth Ruscio , Brandon Smith (I) , Mark Voges , Woody Watson , George Orrison , Gary Moody , Phyllis Huffman , Cameron Finley , Kevin Jamal Woods , Leo Burmester , Ray Mc Kinnon , Bruce Mc Gill

Clint Eastwood, hot off of his Academy Award win for Unforgiven, directed this small character study, appearing in the guise of a cops-and-robbers action picture. The film takes place during the fall ... read more read more...of 1963. Eight-year old Phillip Perry (T.J. Lowther), the son of a devout Jehovah's Witness mother, is staying home while all the other children are out trick-or-treating. But then prison escapee Butch Haynes (Kevin Costner) appears in his kitchen. Needing a hostage to aid him in his escape from jail, he grabs Phillip. Phillip curiously looks up to Butch and willingly accompanies him. Butch gets rid of his fellow escapee after he tries to molest the child, and Butch and Phillip take to the Texas highway, on the run from the cops. The cop in pursuit in this instance is Police Chief Red Garnett (Clint Eastwood), riding in his sleek Populux Airglide trailer -- his "mobile command headquarters." On the road with Garnett is Sally Gerber (Laura Dern), a pushy pre-feminist criminologist, along with a creepy federal agent who is an expert sharpshooter. Butch is not particularly anxious to make it to the Texas borderline, and neither is Garnett in any particular hurry to catch Butch. As Butch and Phillip form a father-son attachment, the paths of Butch and Garnett gradually come together, in time for a final confrontation, after which Garnett confesses, "I don't know nothing. I don't know a damn thing." ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

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77% liked it

40,022 ratings

Critics

79% liked it

29 critics

PG-13, 2 hr. 18 min.

Directed by: Clint Eastwood

Release Date: November 24, 1993

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DVD Release Date: October 1, 2002

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Flixster Reviews (1,237)

  • TheDudeLebowski65
    July 7, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    I'm very biased towards Clint Eastwood films. I believe that he is a terrific director and actor, and he's also one of my favorites actors. I thought that A Perfect World is a wonderful drama that is among Clint Eastwood's best. Not only does Eastwood direct, but he also acts in ... read morethis film. The story surrounds a kidnapped boy and a convict who become friends as the convict, Butch (Kevin Costner) shows Phillip (T.J Lowther) the joys of life as Phillip is a Jeovah's Witness and has never enjoyed stuff that other kids do. This film has a good heart, and is very charming as we see Butch' and Phillip's friendship unfold. There are a few violent parts, but this film has a very good story. This is the type of film only Clint Eastwood could make. A Perfect World is a near perfect film, and this is one of Kevin Costner's best films. I absolutely enjoyed this film and I thought it great. There are a few things that could have been perfected, but theres so little mistakes in this film that one can forgive its imperfections. A wonderful story, brought to life by a great cast and a great director, A Perfect World is simply a terrific, well acted film that is another Eastwood classic. This is definitely a film that Clint Eastwood fans shouldn't pass up. A remarkable film that is sad, funny and powerful, A Perfect World is awonderful drama film that should be seen.
  • blkbomb
    May 30, 2011
    blkbomb
    A Perfect World is a very good and very underrated Clint Eastwood film. Kevin Costner is great as Butch Haynes. It possibly is his greatest performance of his career. Lowther is very convincing in his role as Phillip and helps take the movie from good to great. The movie takes yo... read moreu through a gauntlet of emotions through their performances. At times it is fun to watch and at other times it is very sad. The movie deserves much more exposure then it has, which is surprising seeing as it's a Clint Eastwood movie.
  • garyX
    April 25, 2011
    garyX
    An escaped convict takes an 8 year old boy hostage and is pursued in the resulting manhunt by a motley assortment of lawmen headed by pragmatic good ol' boy Clint Eastwood. The fact that the central characters of this film are a desperate criminal and an 8 year old Jehovah's witn... read moreess (not to mention Costner's presence) would probably provoke a groan from more cynical cinephiles expecting a saccharine drenched schmaltz-fest about "learning from each other" and "growing as a person". And they'd be right in some respects as that pretty much is what the film is all about, but thanks to Eastwood's sensitive direction it manages to sidestep cloying sentimentality and the result is an endearing road movie cum western with a streak of gentle humour. The weak link is probably Kevin Costner and if it weren't for the obvious age issues I think he and Clint would've been better served swapping roles, but he still gives a decent performance as the damaged career criminal who comes to share a common bond with his tiny captive. Perhaps the message about the penal system gets a little lost in amongst all the good natured banter, but it's still an intelligent and sensitive offbeat thriller that's well worth seeking out.
  • crunchbunch
    January 13, 2011
    crunchbunch
    Walkin's for squares.

    Clint Eastwood delivers a moving tale about a boy kidnapped and held as hostage by an escaped convict. Devoid of a male role model, the boy bonds with Butch, played by an engaging Kevin Costner as they are hunted down by the law.

    As a child I loved th... read moreis film and all these years on it still proves to tug on the same sentimental heart strings it did all those years ago. The ending is heartbreaking as you cheer on the bad guy and his new found buddy.

    A must see for everyone.
  • stormyweather980
    August 16, 2009
    stormyweather980
    Two of my favorite actors in one movie: Kevin Costner and Clint Eastwood, who not only acts but directs this one. It was just as good as I would've anticipated, maybe even better.
  • tsigur
    March 29, 2008
    tsigur
    This is one of my favorites and, in my opinion, an underrated gem. Costner gives one of his best performances in this film.
  • allan913
    February 5, 2008
    allan913
    A materpiece. Director, Clint Eastwood crafts a beautifully told and heart-breaking drama. Stunning, bold, riveting and breathtaking. One of Easdtwood's finest films and one of Costnert's finest roles. Kevin Costner gives a gripping and exceptional performance. Clint Eastwood is ... read moresubtel and teriffic. A film of rare calibur and emotional depth. A film you will not be able to turn away from. It's enjoyable and unforgettable. It's all heart.
  • dreamfaeries
    November 7, 2006
    dreamfaeries
    Great movie.
  • deano
    October 29, 2006
    deano
    Eastwood and Costner confront each other from opposite sides of the law in this movie. Costner has a great performance as a person escape and the father figure with a young hostage.
  • mndsawas
    December 9, 2010
    mndsawas
    "A Perfect world" (1993) is the kind of a motion picture that lefts me grappling with some rather conflicting feelings. I'm a huge fanatic when it comes to good old Mr. Eastwood and I've always admired him and his quite spectacular movies. Therefore it's always been a hard job to... read more even say something bad about his flicks. It's also pretty difficult to claim this is a lousy film considering that it has an excellent acting (especially from C.E. himself) and it's a nice, firm and well-made work from Clint. I just don't like the most disappointing story, just like I didn't like the story of his next film "The Bridges of Madison County" (1995). Why is it that whenever I see Dirty Harry Callahan torturing his victims or Josey Wales spitting on a forehead of a corpse I find it rather amusing and entertaining but when a movie tries to make adultery acceptable (like in "The Bridges of Madison County") or represents religion as the biggest enemy I find it much harder to approve. There's no denying it, "A Perfect world" is basically a good movie.

View All A Perfect World Reviews

Critic Reviews

Peter Travers
June 6, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

In going beyond chase-yarn duty, Eastwood and Costner do themselves proud.

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

A Perfect World is evidence that Hollywood is still capable of producing the kinds of moving, intelligent movies that have increasingly become the province of independent film makers. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

This is a movie that surprises you. Full Review

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

Within its narrow, unambitious, commercial boundaries, the movie is highly watchable. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
January 6, 2012
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Entertaining manhunt film. Full Review

Chuck O'Leary
March 3, 2006
Chuck O'Leary, FulvueDrive-in.com

A tender, poignant, ultimately heartbreaking film filled with haunting, lasting images and nicely eccentric touches. Arguably Costner's best performance, and one of Eastwood's most underrated efforts ...

Steve Crum
October 15, 2004
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan

Stark, gritty story well directred by Eastwood.

Michael Dequina
January 2, 2004
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com

Moving and totally absorbing. Full Review

Scott Weinberg
August 16, 2003
Scott Weinberg, Apollo Guide

Never once feels like more than push-button artifice. Full Review

Bill Chambers
October 3, 2002
Bill Chambers, Film Freak Central

Some may accuse the picture of sentimentality, but really it gets caught up in the moment. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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    • Butch Haynes: I need me a time machine with a loud radio to take me where I'm going.
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