A Perfect World

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A Perfect World

PG-13

Released Nov 24, 1993

2h 17m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

78%

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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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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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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

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Peter Travers

Rolling Stone

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

Jun 6, 2001

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

This is a movie that surprises you.

Rated: 4/4

Jan 1, 2000

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Walter Chaw

Film Freak Central

It's an American masterpiece.

Rated: 4/4

Nov 26, 2013

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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

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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

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Jerod S

Languishing story of Costner kidnapping a boy when he escapes from prison. Part crime, part rite of passage and part redemption, it would've been just about right at 90 minutes...not over 2 hours.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/12/25

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thiago s

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

08/30/25

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D L.

All you need to know this film is absolutely heartbreaking and haunting. Possibly Kevin Costner’s best performance.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/21/25

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ALEX P

Impossível ficar indiferente a este filme

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/16/25

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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

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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

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Clint Eastwood

Director

Kevin Costner

Robert 'Butch' Haynes

Clint Eastwood

Chief Red Garnett

Laura Dern

Sally Gerber

T.J. Lowther

Phillip Perry

Keith Szarabajka

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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: Malpaso Company, Warner Brothers
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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