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.
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.
Not one of Clint's best, but still better-than-average entertainment.
Doesn't rank with Eastwood's best work as actor/director, but it's nevertheless solidly enjoyable.
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.
For all the suspense the film does generate, the fairly flat climax is a disappointing payoff.
Dunderheaded fantasy about noble thieves and corrupt commander-in-chiefs.
Good actors elevate this disappointing and lame effort by a respected filmmaker.
...suffers from the same pathology as Bridges of Madison County; a weakness of source material.
The plot and its resolution requires simply too much disbelief to be suspended by the audience...
Mr. Hackman languishes in the smallish role of a White House buffoon, with Judy Davis equally cartoonish as his witchy chief of staff.
You could waste your time in many worse ways than watching this ensemble of old pros shoot and scratch at each other.
The ending of the film is rather abrupt, but most of the time this film runs as slick as oil, thanks to impeccable production standards, a solid script and good performances...
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