Perfect World (1993)

Perfect World: Directed by Clint Eastwood. With Kevin Costner, Clint Eastwood, Laura Dern, T.J. Lowther. Kidnapped boy Phillip Perry (T.J. Lowther) strikes up a friendship with his captor Butch Haynes (Kevin Costner): an escaped convict on the run from the law, while the search is headed up by honorable Texas Ranger “Red” Garrett (Clint Eastwood).

“Being a sucker for any decent road movie, i was always predestined to enjoy this one. The surprising thing is that itu0026#39;s taken all of nineteen years to get round to it. Iu0026#39;ve always found Kevin Costner to be a likable screen presence and itu0026#39;s here, at the height of his stardom, with top billing that heu0026#39;s on great form. Costner plays Robert u0026#39;Butchu0026#39; Haynes, an escaped convict who due to a botched robbery ends up kidnapping u0026#39;Buzzu0026#39; , a young boy (T.J Lowther) with whom he forms an unlikely mutual bond. Although thereu0026#39;s an inherent darkness to proceedings, thereu0026#39;s also much sweetness. They form the kind of father and son friendship that as the film unfolds, we realise Haynes never had making it easier to feel sympathetic toward him amid the crime spree. Later in the film, that same sympathy is tested as itu0026#39;s revealed how emotionally damaged Haynes is. To the boy, the whole thing is an exciting adventure as itu0026#39;s highlighted early on that his religious background has kept him somewhat excluded. Haynes on the other hand seems to treat the escapade as therapy for the upbringing he never had. He constantly gives the boy choices and at no point does it feel like a dangerous hostage situation. As with all the better Clint Eastwood directed films, itu0026#39;s stylistically unfussy with emphasis on building a strong relationship between audience and character. Eastwood himself is a great presence in the film, playing a law man trying to keep a steady head, and shares some excellent screen time with Laura Dern. The screenplay also deserves a nod as it serves up some fun interplay dialogue and observations. Some very minor flaws push the limits of credibility, one in particular involving Buzz behind the wheel of a car and some expert last minute breaking, but they give way to what is a heartfelt and touching experience.”