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Laramie Movie Scope:
A Perfect World

Better than the average thug-on-the-run flick

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by Robert Roten, Film Critic
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November 30, 1993 -- ``A Perfect World'' is one of the many new shows in town. Now that there are four screens instead of two at the Fox Theatre, there are more choices. Last Sunday, Nov. 28, for instance, there were eight films showing at the Fox and Wyo Theatres. That's a lot of movies!

I picked a couple of critically-acclaimed movies to scan. ``A Perfect World'' seemed a good choice because Clint Eastwood directs and stars in it. I liked Eastwood's ``Unforgiven.'' Luckily, ``A Perfect World'' turns out to be a pretty good film.

I didn't like it as well as ``Unforgiven,'' but Eastwood does a good job of directing the film, Kevin Costner is excellent in the starring role and the rest of the cast, including Laura Dern, turn in good supporting roles.

The story follows Costner, a smart convict, and his young hostage as they flee the police in Texas. Costner is a killer with a conscience and a tortured past as an abused child. The killings take place off-screen. The only on-screen violence is that of parents hitting their own children and Costner's pained, and sometimes violent reaction to that abuse.

The story has a predictable ending, but Costner's strong performance, an intelligent script and Eastwood's fine direction lift this film a notch above the ordinary thug-on-the-run film.

This film rates B.

Click here for links to places to buy this movie in video and/or DVD format, the soundtrack, books, even used videos, games and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

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Robert Roten can be reached via e-mail at my last name at lariat dot org. [Mailer button: image of letter and envelope]

(If you e-mail me with a question about this or any other movie or review, please mention the name of the movie you are asking the question about, otherwise I may have no way of knowing which film you are referring to)