Cute T J Lowther stars as young Phillip, a Texas boy who's kidnapped by bad guy Kevin Costner to be used as a hostage and shield while he's on the run from good guy Clint Eastwood.
Yet Phillip does not resent his kidnapper, in places he seems to enjoy the attention he gets from Costner. Seems he wants to get away from his Mom and teasing sisters. And he's really broken up at the end when he loses, as we knew he must, his friend in the final battle.
The care and affection that Costner shows to the lad gives a human side to his bad-guy character. Makes him seem real, not one sided, with a good side as well as the bad side.
With this role, Costner joins the ranks of those super macho stars who have done a role of caring for a boy in need of affection. See Mel Gibson in "Man Without a Face" caring for Nick Stahl. Or see Spencer Tracy in "Old Man and the Sea" caring for Felipe Pazos. And Dirk Bogarde in "Spanish Gardener" caring for Jon Whitleley.
Odd little bit about this movie. When he's first kidnapped, Lowther's character Phillip hasn't got his pants on. Never gets any. Spends the whole movie running about in his white Jockeys. Maybe Costner's character didn't know how to buy pants for a boy? Costume department saving money?
Anyhow, the lad's quite cute, but never seems to have made any more movies. The other two of course have gone on to many other movies.
Yet Phillip does not resent his kidnapper, in places he seems to enjoy the attention he gets from Costner. Seems he wants to get away from his Mom and teasing sisters. And he's really broken up at the end when he loses, as we knew he must, his friend in the final battle.
The care and affection that Costner shows to the lad gives a human side to his bad-guy character. Makes him seem real, not one sided, with a good side as well as the bad side.
With this role, Costner joins the ranks of those super macho stars who have done a role of caring for a boy in need of affection. See Mel Gibson in "Man Without a Face" caring for Nick Stahl. Or see Spencer Tracy in "Old Man and the Sea" caring for Felipe Pazos. And Dirk Bogarde in "Spanish Gardener" caring for Jon Whitleley.
Odd little bit about this movie. When he's first kidnapped, Lowther's character Phillip hasn't got his pants on. Never gets any. Spends the whole movie running about in his white Jockeys. Maybe Costner's character didn't know how to buy pants for a boy? Costume department saving money?
Anyhow, the lad's quite cute, but never seems to have made any more movies. The other two of course have gone on to many other movies.