A superb film. The narrative is somewhat similar to "Martin's Day" (1984). Butch (Kevin Costner) comes to be everything a decent father should be to the boy. He respects the boy's autonomy, is never patronising, never lies to him 'for his own good'. There's a wonderful scene where the boy reveals that he has been made to feel inadequate about the size of a certain part of his anatomy. Butch asks the boy to show him and is able to reassure him that there's nothing wrong with him. In conversation with the boy, he emphasises the boy's abilities, what he can do rather than what he can't do. In consequence of all this, a bond of love begins to develop between them. There's a scene early on in the movie where Butch's partner in escape, Terry, seems to try to molest the boy. However, this doesn't quite fall in with modern mythology, because Terry's character has already been signalled as aggressively heterosexual. The message of the film is thus rather more complex than would be that of a similar film made in today's febrile climate. There's another strand in this film's plot involving Eastwood's character and his relationship to Butch that gives added depth and meaning to the narrative. T.J. Lowther is utterly wonderful in his role as Phillip Perry. Overall, a definite 'must-see'.

My Movie Rating: 9 / 10

What Andreas_N said!

My Movie Rating: 10 / 10

this movie so great

i think it was golden age

90's

if u did not see it u have to see it now

My Movie Rating: 10 / 10

The viewer is wrong-footed time and again. Is this a movie about serious crime? Are we watching a comedy? Or is this an absurd film? Maybe all three. Take your pick. I liked it anyway.

My Movie Rating: 9 / 10

I copied my comment from imdb.com from 2003. Sorry for my style back then.

"A Perfect World", with Kevin Costner and Clint Eastwood tells the story of the fugitive convict Butch Haynes, who escapes with his partner Terry Pugh from the Huntsville prison in 1963. On their flight, they kidnap the young 8-year-old-boy Phillip Perry, and continue their race across Texas. When Pugh tries to abuse Phillip, Butch kills him. While Texas Ranger Chief Red Garnett (Eastwood) hunts them, the two discover similar bonds, and Butch really comes to like young Phillip. The boy himself overcomes his suspicion and accepts Butch as a kind of "older brother", or even stronger, as the compensation for his father, who he never knew. As the hunt continues, Butch tells Phillip about his life and his wish to find his own father in Alaska, where he would like to live in peace and dignity. They make certain stops, steal three different cars, and survive confrontations with the local cops. The movie deals not only with this flight of a criminal but also strongly with the issues of fathers and sons. That's what puts this movie above the usual road movie. It goes deep, deals with exhaustion, love, hopelessness and pure human emotions. The climax of the movie is unexpected; the dramatic ending is impressive. Eastwood made a perfect job both as actor and director, and T.J. Lowther's performance as young Phillip is simply great and convincing. One of Costner's best as well, a road movie with funny dialogues, a thrilling background story, moving emotions, brilliant acting performances, some brutal and unexpected scenes, a great setting in Texas around 1963, and an indeed amazing climax at the end, which makes the movie a dramatic masterpiece.

My Movie Rating: 9 / 10