“Philip, we have a lot in common: We are both handsome devils, we both like RC Cola and neither of us had an old man who was worth a damn..."

Since Dances with Wolves, Kevin Costner has put together an impressive list of completely underrated films. Pretty much everything he’s done either has some sort of stigma attached to it or is completely overlooked by most audiences. I happen to be a huge fan of films like: 3000 Miles to Graceland, The Postman, Tin Cup, Open Range, and 13 Days. Anyone else remember most of those films?

This week’s Uppercut isn’t about Kevin Costner, or even any of those films (although come to think of it I may revisit this little topic in my regular weekly column), but about one of my favorite films, also from this era, A Perfect World.

Set in an early 60’s North Texas, A Perfect World tells the story of escaped convict Butch Haynes (Costner), who kidnaps a little boy (Keith Szarabajka) while on the run from an old school Texas Ranger (Clint Eastwood), and a clinical psychologist (Laura Dern) trying to interject science into the manhunt. The boy lives in a home without a father and Haynes grew up without a positive male role model. While on the road, they form a father-son bond.

As one of the peripheral characters, Clint Eastwood plays a tough cop who is out of touch with the modern world that is becoming kinder and gentler around him. His role seems to be a tongue-in-cheek nod to his days as Dirty Harry Callahan and Laura Dern is a wonderful counterbalance, constantly reminding him that he is simply a brute with a tin star and that sometimes subtlety and a little patience is just as important as a .45 and a fist.

The real beauty of this film and one of the reasons it is one of my personal favorites is the way it examines the personal bond of a young boy looking for a positive male influence and a man who had pretty much given up on caring about anyone. The movie is well written and Costner is perfect as a man who comes to realize that caring and guidance is really all some people need to make them feel like a better person. While it is too late for him, maybe this little boy could grow up to be a better person with a little positive influence. While some people point to Shane, or even Old Yeller as that film that really touched them and made an impact emotionally, I look back at this film and I get that same lump in my throat, and little trickle down my cheek. I highly recommend anyone who hasn’t seen this film to run down to your local video store and check it out.