Absolute Power

Starring: Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Ed Harris, Laura Linney, Scott Glenn, Judy Davis, Dennis Haysbert, E.G. Marshall
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Rating: R
Genre: Thriller
Box Office: $50,068,310
1997

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: A vertan thief (Clint Eastwood) finds himself in a bad spot when during a robbery, he accidentally witnesses the U.S. President (Gene Hackman) murdering a woman he was having an affair with. Now, he must run for his life as secret service agents (led by Scott Glenn) try to find him and kill him to cover up the crime.

Review:

Tim: Before I get into the positive aspects of the film, I want to say that the big "murder" scene at the beginning is one of the stupidest scenes I have ever seen. It goes from something innocent to a huge problem with no explanation or warning. It isn't done well at all and comes across as cheesy and unrealistic.

Luckily, the rest of the film gets better and better. Director Clint Eastwood keeps a steady pace of suspense throughout the film, so we have little time to stop and breathe. Absolute Power is an intelligent thriller about a cover up in the highest levels of the government. We get so involved as we watch Eastwood go up against nearly insurmountable odds- the White House and the Secret Service, with unlimited resources at their disposal.

Eastwood embraces his age with this film and is outstanding playing an aging thief. He is an incredible actor and smart enough to know he's not in his 30s anymore.

Ed Harris is excellent as well. His scene with Eastwood over breakfast is the most enjoyable of the movie. Laura Linney sparkles in her scenes with Eastwood and serves as a good supporting role, somewhat reminiscent of her performance in Primal Fear. Despite this strong performances, the entire cast didn't all give their best. I was very disappointed in Gene Hackman's performance. He doesn't make a very good or realistic President (and not just because he plays a horrible human being in the film). Rounding out the cast is Scott Glenn in a decent supporting performance.

Absolute Power is a pretty decent political thriller. There are much better films out there. Even though this film is pretty flawed, it still makes for an enjoyable time. This is due almost totally to Eastwood the director and his knack for making very good films.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 7



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Mystic River, Million Dollar Baby, Blood Work, Murder at 1600, Welcome to Mooseport, Primal Fear