Dramatically and cinematically, the film is fabulous until the final third of its two hours, when everyone tries a tad too hard, from scriptwriter to director.
Absolute Power (1997)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:39
Fresh:18
Rotten:21
Average Rating:5.6/10
Synopsis: In this slick political thriller, an emotionally disconnected, aesthetically refined master thief is out for one final score before retiring to his treasure-lined hideaway. But during a robbery at... In this slick political thriller, an emotionally disconnected, aesthetically refined master thief is out for one final score before retiring to his treasure-lined hideaway. But during a robbery at a mansion near Washington, he witnesses a bizarre sex murder involving the President of the United States. As the president's slimy handlers frantically cover the crime up, the career criminal--and only outside witness--becomes the Secret Service's prime target. His relationship with his estranged daughter hangs in the balance. Adapted from the best-selling novel by David Baldacci. [More]
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Ed Harris, Scott Glenn
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Ed Harris, Scott Glenn, Judy Davis, E.G. Marshall, Dennis Haysbert, Laura Linney, Melora Hardin
Director: Clint Eastwood
Director: Clint Eastwood
Screenwriter: William Goldman
Story: David Baldacci
Composer: Clint Eastwood, Lennie Niehaus
Producer: Karen S. Spiegal, Clint Eastwood
Reviews for Absolute Power
Eastwood films with his usual effortless pace, generating suspense practically out of thin air.
Doesn't rank with Eastwood's best work as actor/director, but it's nevertheless solidly enjoyable.
The plot and its resolution requires simply too much disbelief to be suspended by the audience...
A fairly routine thriller that gets high marks as a result of tight pacing and top-notch acting.
Unintentional yuks litter an otherwise somber political thriller adapted from David Baldacci's novel.
Good actors elevate this disappointing and lame effort by a respected filmmaker.
The plot is a doomsday version of Bill Clinton's Paula Jones problem, but the theme is impending mortality--settling scores before time's up.
For all the suspense the film does generate, the fairly flat climax is a disappointing payoff.
Not many thrillers slow down to notice relationships, but this one does.
Clint Eastwood...produced, directed and stars in this generally lunatic, occasionally pathetic and more often comically inept endeavor.
Lacks the consistency, depth and suspense that would put it in a league with Eastwood's best work.
Sadly, any lofty artistic aspirations are quickly undone by the sheer ill-advised audacity of the story.
A pretty decent suspense movie, until its last half hour or so, which ends on a flaccid note and doesn't generate the needed resolution for the solid build-up that came before.
This is just a better makeup job on the same misogynist theme: live woman = nothing; dead woman = power.
A first-rate thriller about arrogance at the top, a showdown between two kinds of Americans: the evil, omnipotent bureaucrat and the enterprising, mind-his- own-business loner.
It's refreshing to think that good movies can still be made with only actors, a tight script, and some nice locations.
...suffers from the same pathology as Bridges of Madison County; a weakness of source material.
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