I had really looked forward to seeing "A Perfect World" and was excited when it finally came on television in the UK. Clint Eastwood is always a reliable director, I adore low-key character studies and it seemed as though it might have a very promising story at its core.
The first twenty minutes or so are great. I was drawn into the film immediately and felt pity for Costner's character. Honestly, Eastwood manipulates the audience a bit in Costner's intro - after all, as we all know, prison characters are only likable if redeemed by acts of kindness, or by showing us "he isn't so bad after all." This happens in "A Perfect World" when Costner shows up bravely just in time to stop a woman from being raped and abused. However, it worked on me, and I liked his character.
After that it sort of goes downhill. The movie becomes, to be honest, rather dull and unmoving. It could easily lose 30 minutes' worth of footage. Some subplots are unnecessary and the interaction between Costner and the boy, although fairly realistic, isn't altogether believable, and I was left feeling a bit underwhelmed by the time the film had ended.
Overall it's good enough for a single viewing, but could have been a lot better. Eastwood's made much better character studies before and since, and I recommend those more so than I do "A Perfect World."
The first twenty minutes or so are great. I was drawn into the film immediately and felt pity for Costner's character. Honestly, Eastwood manipulates the audience a bit in Costner's intro - after all, as we all know, prison characters are only likable if redeemed by acts of kindness, or by showing us "he isn't so bad after all." This happens in "A Perfect World" when Costner shows up bravely just in time to stop a woman from being raped and abused. However, it worked on me, and I liked his character.
After that it sort of goes downhill. The movie becomes, to be honest, rather dull and unmoving. It could easily lose 30 minutes' worth of footage. Some subplots are unnecessary and the interaction between Costner and the boy, although fairly realistic, isn't altogether believable, and I was left feeling a bit underwhelmed by the time the film had ended.
Overall it's good enough for a single viewing, but could have been a lot better. Eastwood's made much better character studies before and since, and I recommend those more so than I do "A Perfect World."