A PERFECT WORLD. Directed by Clint Eastwood; written by John Lee Hancock; produced by Mark Johnson and David Valdes for Warner Bros. Starring Kevin Costner, T.J. Lowther, Clint Eastwood and Laura Dern. Rated PG-13.
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A Perfect World isn't exactly perfect, but it's darn good.
However, it is definitely not a holiday movie. The austere but powerful images hang around in your mind long after it's over (the mark of a good film). But its theme and narrative are deeply depressing. Don't go see it for holiday cheer—but for getting the jump on some certain Oscar nominations.
Another potential problem the movie has is its pace. It takes quite a while to get going; and even then, it doesn't quite ride like the action pictures we're used to getting from Eastwood. (Unforgiven, for example, though a thoughtful picture, had much more action.)
The movie begins with a jailbreak—by Butch (Costner) and a manic sidekick (Keith Szarabajka)—and a Halloween without trick-or-treating for young Philip (Lowther), whose religion prohibits such activities. While trying to steal a car in Philip's neighborhood, Butch and his pal end up taking Philip hostage and hitting the road.
In the course of their odyssey, Butch and Philip develop a relationship that is rather pathetic and quite touching. And also quite believable. A Perfect World is closest to perfection in their scenes together, although we gain the knowledge to truly appreciate their bond from the lawmen pursuing them, led by a Texas Ranger (Eastwood).
Much hype has centered on Costner's actually playing a bad guy, which he's never really done before. And he does it pretty well. I just wonder, though, if someone saw him for the first time in A Perfect World, what their reaction would be. As it is (for me at least, being a fan of his for years), it takes a while for him to convince me how really messed up his character is.
Lowther is completely believable as Philip. For one thing, he doesn't say much. In my experience, real kids in the presence of adults don't usually sound like Macauley Culkin or Fred Savage.
Eastwood's Ranger is basically just a rehash of his Secret Service agent from this summer's In the Line of Fire. But that's okay, since he's really only needed to comment on Butch's character and past (and provide what little comic relief the movie has, believe it or not).
As a cops-and-robbers chase movie A Perfect World is only so-so. But as a sober exploration of the causes and ramifications of violence; as a moving testimony to the lasting harm of child abuse; and as a sad reminder of just how imperfect a world we live in—it's well worth seeing.
December 8, 1993