A Perfect World

Name: A Perfect World
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Crime
Released: November 24, 1993
Duration: 138 min
Rating: 71
Cast: Bradley Whitford, Clint Eastwood, Jennifer Griffin, Keith Szarabajka, Kevin Costner

1993

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 24 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 62 Ratings

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8.0

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8.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 62 Ratings

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A Perfect World

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Movie Details & Credits

Warner Bros. | Release Date: November 24, 1993 | TV-14

Starring: Bradley Whitford, Clint Eastwood, Jennifer Griffin, Keith Szarabajka, Kevin Costner, Laura Dern, Leo Burmester, Paul Hewitt, Ray McKinnon, T.J. Lowther

Summary: A kidnapped boy strikes up a friendship with his captor: an escaped convict on the run from the law, headed by an honorable U.S. Marshal.

Director: Clint Eastwood

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller, Crime

Rating: TV-14

Runtime: 138 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Roger Ebert

This is a movie that surprises you. The setup is such familiar material that you think the story is going to be flat and fast. But the screenplay by John Lee Hancock goes deep. And the direction by Clint Eastwood finds strange, quiet moments of perfect truth in the story. Read full review

Hal Hinson

A Perfect World is one of the Academy Award-winning actor-director's most unexpected, most satisfying films. This isn't the first time that Eastwood has turned the tables on our expectations, but he's never been this bold in the past, or this sure of himself. Read full review

Nick Schager

It’s material primed for mushiness, yet Eastwood shrewdly marries sentimentality to both self-deprecating humor (including a late bullhorn gag) and darker, more desolate undercurrents. Read full review

Desson Thomson

Within its narrow, unambitious, commercial boundaries, the movie is highly watchable. Lowther is appealing, and Costner is a likable rebel. Read full review

Jay Boyar

Though A Perfect World may deserve to be attacked for its casual pacing and occasional clumsy staging, and for one or two less-than-fabulous performances, the darn thing kind of grew on me. [24 Nov 1993, p.E2]

Staff (Not Credited)

The director manages mostly to avoid the enormous maudlin pitfalls of his material, at least until the over-extended final scene. As usual with Eastwood, little is overstated - and the accent is on humour. Read full review

Owen Gleiberman

The trouble with Eastwood’s attempt to make a thriller with heart is that, in retreating from his darker impulses, he muffles his own voice as a moviemaker. Read full review

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User Reviews

Impugn

Jan 11, 2020

Clint Eastwood & Kevin Costner are perfect in this movie. One of the best thrillers ever.

11 of 11 users found this helpful110

NickTheCritick

Apr 12, 2022

One of my favourite works among those directed by Clint Eastwood. I saw it multiple times and I recommand it to anybody who wants to start with the filmography of this great director.

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

r96sk

Feb 4, 2022

I'm a little split on 'A Perfect World', but one thing that is for certain is that I definitely enjoyed watching it.

The reason that I'm split is because of how it portrays the lead character. I completely get the angle the filmmakers were going for, I'm just not convinced they pull it off.I'm a little split on 'A Perfect World', but one thing that is for certain is that I definitely enjoyed watching it.

The reason that I'm split is because of how it portrays the lead character. I completely get the angle the filmmakers were going for, I'm just not convinced they pull it off. It's fun to watch, but I never once felt a connection to root for Kevin Costner's Butch.

There are many a time where I was just like "Huh?". It shows a number of events that you can tell are supposed to make you connect to Butch, but I just couldn't - he is super unlikeable, like the very first thing we see him do 'on the outside' defines him and the whole film. They could've wrote him in so many different ways, to give him a positive reason for what he does.

Yet, despite that it is entertaining, I cannot deny. I guess what I'm trying to say is that it works as a film for sure, but given it tries (too hard?) to attempt thought-provoking and deeper meaning I think it falls over itself - logically, I couldn't get on board. As a popcorn flick, I'm all in.

P.S. How amusing to see the 'Casper' connection, given the directing/acting Clint Eastwood would later make a cameo in the live-action film almost two years after this was released.… Expand

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

amheretojudge

Sep 17, 2018

it is fair and exhilarating..

A Perfect World A Perfect World is a character driven drama about a guy who is on a run along with an abducted child with whom he grows an unbreakable affection. The father figured Costner and a disciple of his Lowther, has an amazing chemistry to feed off theit is fair and exhilarating..

A Perfect World

A Perfect World is a character driven drama about a guy who is on a run along with an abducted child with whom he grows an unbreakable affection. The father figured Costner and a disciple of his Lowther, has an amazing chemistry to feed off the audience easily in its long course. Distributed in long bold varied highly pitched emotional sequences the feature flows fluently where not only the verbal sparring but the silent pitches on screen too chills down the spine. Eastwood's world in here is surprisingly calm and fair than we usually get, it doesn't rely upon gunpowders and explosives but meaningful essential morale projected through Costner's ideology and fair deeds. The background score isn't extraordinary but well crafted along with stunning cinematography and fine editing. The live locations, mesmerizing visuals and neat road trips along with stunning camera worth that elevates the momentum. The narration is elaborative with strong and exquisite script that is perfectly balanced to offer the anticipated cinematic experience especially on such large scale. Costner oozes fair trial in his portrayal with bold nuances that you may get afraid with, adored with and be affected with instantly. Eastwood is supporting decently but fails to create the anticipated magic on screen althoughh Dern deliver unflinchingly as always. Armed with a gritty script by Hancock's whose details are off the hook, Eastwood offers these characters deserved and palpable surrounding where he might be weak on few sequences but never vulnerable. The gem-like sweet and sensible conversations between Costner and Lowther, layered screenplay that enfolds eye popping revelations and Costner at the heart of it who fuels this allegory are the high points of the picture. A Perfect World is accurately titled on terms of Costner's track as it is fair and exhilarating equally.… Expand

0 of 17 users found this helpful017

harvdog03

Oct 31, 2018

Stockholm Syndrome at his finest. A good character driven film that pulls you along for the ride or in this case a kidnapping.

0 of 15 users found this helpful015

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