Home
search
more | tips
IMDb > A Perfect World (1993)
A Perfect World
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

A Perfect World (1993) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 23 | slideshow) Videos
A Perfect World (1993) -- hv post

Overview

User Rating:
7.2/10   21,004 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 12% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Clint Eastwood
Writer (WGA):
John Lee Hancock (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for A Perfect World on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
24 November 1993 (USA) more
Genre:
Crime | Drama | Thriller more
Plot:
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. full summary | add synopsis
User Comments:
A Perfect World Is Perfectly Watchable! more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Kevin Costner ... Robert 'Butch' Haynes

Clint Eastwood ... Chief Red Garnett

Laura Dern ... Sally Gerber

T.J. Lowther ... Phillip 'Buzz' Perry

Keith Szarabajka ... Terry Pugh
Leo Burmester ... Tom Adler

Paul Hewitt ... Dick Suttle

Bradley Whitford ... Bobby Lee

Ray McKinnon ... Bradley
Jennifer Griffin ... Gladys Perry
Leslie Flowers ... Naomi Perry
Belinda Flowers ... Ruth Perry

Darryl Cox ... Mr. Hughes
Jay Whiteaker ... Superman
Taylor Suzanna McBride ... Tinkerbell
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for violence, sexual content and language. (on appeal)
Runtime:
138 min | Germany:125 min (TV version)
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Colour:
Colour (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby Digital
Filming Locations:
Austin, Texas, USA more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Clint Eastwood was not originally going to act in the movie - Kevin Costner talked him into it. more
Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: When Dick Suttle is explaining the features of the trailer, a crew member is reflected in the windshield. more
Quotes:
Robert 'Butch' Haynes: You know, Phillip, you have a goddamned red, white and blue American right to eat cotton candy and ride roller coasters. more
Movie Connections:
References Bull Durham (1988) more
Soundtrack:
Catch a Falling Star more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
34 out of 38 people found the following comment useful:-
A Perfect World Is Perfectly Watchable!, 27 September 2003
8/10
Author: tarryrob from Canada

Some aspects of this film work better than others, but overall A PERFECT WORLD is a highly watchable film. Kevin Costner delivers a fine performance as escaped convict Butch Haynes. The film primarily focuses on the relationship between Haynes and an innocent 8 year old boy named Phillip whom he kidnaps and befriends (well played by TJ Lowther). Haynes has killed two people thus far and gives the impression of a being a loose cannon, but Eastwood evokes sympathy for the character as the audience learns about Haynes troubled childhood (raised without a father by a prostitute mother - killed a man by the age of 8) and observe his genuine care and concern for the boy. Their relationship is reminiscent of Allan Ladd and the young boy in SHANE. As he slowly feeds us more information about Hayne's history, and lets the audience wrestle with its ambivalent feelings towards Costner's character, Eastwood keeps the film moving with lots of close brushes with the law, car chases and shoot'em ups.

Where the film doesn't work quite is when Eastwood himself is in front of the camera, playing a minor role - Chief Red Garnett - a Texas Ranger who's in charge of Haynes' capture. The primary function of his character, and Laura Dern's (who plays Sally Gerber - a criminologist the Governor forces upon the Chief) in the script is to supply further information about Haynes' past. Unfortunately, Eastwood tries to flesh out the relationship between these characters through antagonistic chauvinist attitudes towards Gerber and creating a power struggle between the two which (big surprise!) over the course of the film, gradually leads to a mutual respect between them! Granted Eastwood and Dern have marquee value - especially Eastwood, are fine in their roles, and, of course, chauvinism was alive and well in 1960's Texas, but I mostly found these minor subplots annoying and unnecessary. It's the scenes and issues focusing on Costner's character that are the life blood of this picture. This criticism aside, Eastwood does a solid job directing, weaving action, suspense and thought provoking human drama into a well knit weave and Costner delivers one of the best acting performances of his career.

7 1/2 out of 10

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for A Perfect World (1993)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Does anyone wonder how Buzz turned out? catorrington
Why do they kidnap the kid? e-lacey
Who was the dead body in the trunk, was it a store operator? teddyballgame
Worst ending I've ever seen? Maybe. daddysarm
Really dumb things in this movie daddysarm
Am I the only one to think ... SolonJhee
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Mysterious Skin Giant Jimmy and Judy The Night of the Hunter Bonnie and Clyde
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Crime section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.