"A Journey of Fatherhood and Freedom in A Perfect World"

A Perfect World was directed by Clint Eastwood and remains one of the most underrated yet deeply moving films ever made. It’s a film that blends crime, drama, and philosophy, presenting an emotional story about human nature, morality, and fate. It’s also on the list of my favourite films of Clint Eastwood filmography. 

"Sometimes truth ain’t all it’s cracked up to be, Philip." - Butch Haynes

The film presents Butch Haynes (Kevin Costner) as both a violent criminal and a deeply human character. He is a fugitive, yet also a man shaped by his troubled past. His interactions with the young boy, Philip (T.J. Lowther), reveal a layered personality—one that is dangerous and unpredictable yet also protective and fatherly. This duality challenges the audience’s perception of good and evil.

Butch and Philip’s relationship is the heart of the film. When Butch takes Philip hostage, the situation gradually transforms into an unexpected journey of companionship. Butch, who grew up in foster homes and endured a childhood without love, sees himself in Philip, who is being raised by his strict, religious mother. Their bond develops in quiet, meaningful moments—like when Butch gives Philip a stolen Halloween costume so he can experience the joy of trick-or-treating, or when he lets him drive the stolen car, giving the boy a taste of freedom he never had before.

One of the most symbolic scenes in the movie is when Butch and Philip lie in a field under the night sky, watching fireworks. This moment represents a fleeting sense of peace and happiness, an almost perfect world where neither of them has to run or be afraid. However, as the film suggests, such peace is temporary, and reality soon catches up to them.

Throughout the film, Butch dreams of a "perfect world," one where people are free to make their own choices, unburdened by the past. Yet, the film questions whether such a world is even possible. Butch’s actions, while at times compassionate, are still tainted by violence. In one of the most intense scenes, Butch encounters an abusive father, whose cruelty toward his son reminds him of his own painful past. Unable to control his rage, Butch nearly kills the man, revealing the cycle of violence he can’t seem to escape.

This moment is crucial because it shows that despite his attempts to be better, Butch is ultimately a product of his experiences. His fate was shaped long before he met Philip, and no matter how much he wants to break free, the world has already decided his path.

Before I move to the character of Red Garnett, I want to annotate to different films, including Clint Eastwood works but also others

Bonnie and Clyde (1967, directed by Arthur Penn) – Much like A Perfect World, this film follows characters on the run, with the audience gradually sympathizing with their criminal actions. However, Bonnie and Clyde romanticizes the rebellion against the system, whereas A Perfect World underscores the tragic consequences of such a path.

Léon: The Professional (1994, directed by Luc Besson) – The relationship between Léon and Mathilda is reminiscent of the bond between Butch and Philip. In both cases, the experienced "wolf" takes care of a child, offering them a semblance of familial closeness. However, A Perfect World is more grounded in realism, focusing on the psychological depths of the characters, while Léon leans more heavily on action and sensationalism.

Gran Torino (2008, directed by Clint Eastwood) – Both films depict a relationship between an older man and a younger character, with the older figure trying to pass on some life lessons. In both films, the protagonists are burdened by their past mistakes, but Gran Torino adds more social commentary, whereas A Perfect World is more about personal redemption and the consequences of systemic failure.

Unforgiven (1992, directed by Clint Eastwood) – This Oscar-winning western also delves into moral gray areas and the consequences of violence. Just like in A Perfect World, there is no clear-cut distinction between good and evil—each character is shaped by their actions and choices.

No Country for Old Men (2007, directed by the Coen brothers) – Though darker and more brutal, this film also explores how the world is unjust, and violence often leads to inevitable consequences. Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem) represents a force of nature, much like the system that ultimately decides Butch's fate. Both films portray characters who cannot escape their destiny.

Clint Eastwood’s character, Texas Ranger Red Garnett, is another key figure in the story. Unlike the typical lawman in a crime drama, Red is not just hunting Butch—he is haunted by his own past choices. Years ago, he had the chance to give Butch a different life but instead sent him to a brutal reform school, a decision that likely contributed to Butch becoming a criminal. Red’s pursuit of Butch is not just about bringing him to justice; it’s also an attempt to correct a mistake he cannot undo.

This adds a layer of complexity to the theme of justice. The film doesn’t portray law enforcement as purely righteous or criminals as purely evil. Instead, it asks: Can people truly be saved? Can justice be fair when the system itself is flawed?

Many crime films romanticize the idea of the outlaw—charismatic, rebellious figures who defy authority. A Perfect World does something different. While Butch is certainly charismatic, the film doesn’t glorify his actions. His charm and kindness toward Philip make us sympathize with him, but his violent tendencies remind us of the harsh reality that freedom, in his world, comes at a cost.

The tragedy of Butch’s character is that he wants something pure and good—freedom, love, and a better life for Philip—but he doesn’t know how to achieve it without resorting to violence. In the end, the "perfect world" he dreams of is an illusion, and his fate is sealed by the very system that failed him as a child.

The relationship between Butch and Philip is special and can be divided into segments. 

1. Butch’s Attempt to Give Philip a Childhood

From the very beginning, Butch’s relationship with Philip is marked by his desire to give the boy something he himself never had—a carefree childhood. A standout moment comes when Butch, in an uncharacteristic act of kindness, gives Philip a stolen Halloween costume, allowing him to experience the simple joy of trick-or-treating. For Philip, this is a moment of innocence, a rare escape from the strict, religious upbringing enforced by his mother. This act, though small, is an important gesture of Butch’s wish to provide Philip with a semblance of normalcy—a childhood free from the harsh realities that he has faced. The costume becomes a symbol of what Butch is trying to offer: freedom, joy, and a life outside of his criminal past.

2. The Driving Lesson: Teaching Philip Freedom

One of the most important scenes in the film occurs when Butch allows Philip to drive the stolen car, giving him an experience of independence and control over his life, something that Philip has been denied by his mother. As they drive through the open roads, Philip is exposed to a sense of liberation that he has never known before. This act is particularly significant because it highlights Butch’s desire to offer the boy more than just survival skills—he wants to show him the possibility of living freely, even if just for a brief moment. This driving scene represents more than just an adventure—it’s Butch’s attempt to allow Philip to experience life on his own terms, away from the constraints of his strict upbringing and Butch’s criminal world. It also acts as a moment of connection between the two, where Butch teaches Philip not only how to drive but also how to take ownership of his choices, despite the dark circumstances surrounding them.

3. Butch’s Violence and Its Consequences

Despite his best intentions, Butch cannot escape his past, and his violent tendencies threaten the bond he’s built with Philip. In a pivotal scene, Butch encounters a man who is abusing his son, and his fury ignites a dangerous confrontation. This moment is not only crucial for the development of Butch’s character but also illustrates the cyclical nature of violence—Butch, having been raised in an environment of abuse, cannot completely sever his ties to it. The nearly lethal encounter with the abusive father shows how Butch’s trauma continues to shape his actions, even as he tries to be a better father figure to Philip. Despite this act of violence, the film never fully condemns Butch. Instead, it frames him as a man trapped by the system that failed him as a child, a man who wants to break the cycle but finds himself constantly drawn back to it. This moment of rage, however, is also a reflection of his deep care for Philip—he is angry because he wants to protect him from the same fate that he endured. In the end, this complexity makes the relationship between Butch and Philip all the more poignant and tragic.

4. The Bond Through Shared Moments of Vulnerability

One of the most intimate and important moments in A Perfect World comes when Butch and Philip lie together in a field, watching fireworks. This scene, which occurs after a long stretch of running and hiding, becomes a rare moment of peace for both of them. Butch, normally a hardened criminal, allows himself to show a vulnerability he hasn’t expressed before. As they lie under the sky, there is an unspoken understanding between them—Butch is trying to give Philip something pure and beautiful that he himself never had: the freedom to experience joy and peace without fear. This moment is essential in showing how Butch begins to view Philip not just as a hostage, but as the son he never had the chance to raise. For Philip, the experience of watching the fireworks with Butch is a moment of hope, symbolizing an almost perfect world—a temporary escape from the harshness of life. It's a shared moment that strengthens their bond, revealing Butch's emotional growth and deepening connection to the boy.

5. Butch’s Ultimate Fatherly Love - Sacrifice

The most powerful moment that defines Butch’s role as a father figure is his ultimate act of sacrifice at the end of the film. In the final moments, Butch, knowing that he is cornered and facing inevitable death, tries to protect Philip one last time. As Texas Ranger Red Garnett closes in on him, Butch makes the decision to step into the line of fire, giving Philip a chance to escape. This selfless act of redemption—an attempt to save the boy he has come to love as a son—cements Butch's transformation. Throughout the film, Butch has wrestled with his violent tendencies and his desire to give Philip a better life, and in his final moments, he chooses to offer Philip a chance at freedom, even at the cost of his own life. His death is both tragic and redemptive; he is not only a fugitive but a man who, despite his flaws, found a way to love and protect someone else. In the end, Butch’s death serves as the ultimate expression of fatherly love, showing that his bond with Philip transcends the violence that has defined his life.

Butch Haynes’ final words before his death—"I’m not a good man. I’m not the worst either."—perfectly summarize the film’s central theme. People are not simply good or evil; they are shaped by their experiences, their wounds, and their choices.

"I’m not a good man. I’m not the worst either." - Butch Haynes (Kevin Costner)