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A Perfect World

Play trailer Poster for A Perfect World PG-13 Released Nov 24, 1993 2h 17m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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78% Tomatometer 32 Reviews 84% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
Butch (Kevin Costner), a escaped state prisoner from a Texas jail, kidnaps Philip (T.J. Lowther), a young, impressionable boy. As they embark on a trip across the American Southwest together, a surprising bond grows between the convict and his captive, even as law enforcement forces slowly catch up with them. An honorable Texas Ranger, Red Garnett (Clint Eastwood), understands Butch has a heart of gold, but must pursue him anyway out of duty to the law and a desire to protect the child.
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A Perfect World

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Critics Consensus

Despite some formulaic touches, Clint Eastwood's haunting, ambiguous crime drama is smart and gritty, and features a bravura performance from Kevin Costner as a prison escapee on the run.

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Critics Reviews

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Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly Rated: C- Sep 7, 2011 Full Review David Ansen Newsweek Hancock's surface-skimming script is too formulaic for the job. There's enough material here for a crisp 90-minute entertainment. At 2+ hours, the leisurely, mildly engaging A Perfect World barely sputters across the finish line. Apr 7, 2008 Full Review Peter Travers Rolling Stone In going beyond chase-yarn duty, Eastwood and Costner do themselves proud. Jun 6, 2001 Full Review Walter Chaw Film Freak Central It's an American masterpiece. Rated: 4/4 Nov 26, 2013 Full Review John J. Puccio Movie Metropolis It will not please everyone because it presents things in shades of gray and takes few easy outs. Rated: 7/10 Jun 8, 2012 Full Review Peter Canavese Groucho Reviews Tells the tale of an escaped convict and his eight-year-old hostage and, in the process, considers the cycles of disappointment wrought on sons by questionable fathers: abusive ones, absent ones, even a well-meaning "daddy state." [Blu-ray] Rated: 3.5/4 Jun 5, 2012 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Blu B All Time Classic. The one shortcoming is the music is good but it really isn't used that often and it isn't that memorable on it's own. The film isn't dry in the slightest though. The ending is really good too and very smartly written bu it does drag out just alittle bit. I would'nt change a thing though honestly. Everything else is masterful. It weaves between Costner & the boy / Eastwood and his team perfectly never feeling like stuff jsut happens. Everything follows a logical and unpredictable trail as the Marshalls follow in pursuit and investigate This film belongs to Costner & the Boy. They are amazing together and recall films like Paper Moon to me. A truly odd pairing that have more in common than you'd think at first glance and are united in their loneliness, not fitting in, and being caught up in the moment. Amazing direciton by Eastwood and first rate cinematography. This is a crime drama and a road movie together that work together effortlessly. It's sad and you know this isn't going to end well but you can't help but like these characters, be riveted by them, and feel something at almost every turn. Everyone should give this a try once. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/27/25 Full Review Colin M Quaint movie, a bit cliched, a bit slow, a bit long, a bit sappy, a bit maudlin, but okay. Two chalk-and-cheese inmates with differing natures escape jail but involve themselves with the locals instead of getting clear, with consequences. Clint Eastwood tries to clear up the mess. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/01/25 Full Review dude d this is a good movie. I dont generally like kevin costner films but he is excellent in this. I like clint eastwood and he is on form. Simple movie but acted so well you dont realise until after the film ends. There are funny moments too in the details. The first 15 minutes sets up the characters so well you just look forward to seeing the story unfold as they interact.... and its suprisingly emotional for this genre. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/31/24 Full Review Eye C An interesting approach of how the system fails and how the presumptions and prejudices doesn't helps to make a friendly society… oh and Kevin Costner is the best. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/23/24 Full Review hampus s one of the greatest movies ever made, deserves a much higher score Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/27/24 Full Review Test T I watched this on DVD recently. I enjoyed the story and found the film absorbing to watch. The acting is first rate and the character development is excellent. I particularly liked the contrast between the relationships which developed on either side of the law. Both sides had difficulties getting on at first, but ironically by the end of the film the hostage and his kidnapper formed the strongest bond. The stunts and action were effectively integrated within the plot which added excitement without losing focus on the story. Despite the long runtime, I found the film to pass by quickly, and thought it was well paced. Highly recommended. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/14/24 Full Review Read all reviews
A Perfect World

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Movie Info

Synopsis Butch (Kevin Costner), a escaped state prisoner from a Texas jail, kidnaps Philip (T.J. Lowther), a young, impressionable boy. As they embark on a trip across the American Southwest together, a surprising bond grows between the convict and his captive, even as law enforcement forces slowly catch up with them. An honorable Texas Ranger, Red Garnett (Clint Eastwood), understands Butch has a heart of gold, but must pursue him anyway out of duty to the law and a desire to protect the child.
Director
Clint Eastwood
Producer
Clint Eastwood, Mark Johnson, David Valdes
Screenwriter
John Lee Hancock
Distributor
Warner Bros., Warner Home Vídeo
Production Co
Warner Brothers, Malpaso Company
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 24, 1993, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 24, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$29.7M
Runtime
2h 17m
Sound Mix
Surround
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