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Director Clint Eastwood's 1997 box-office hit stars himself as Luther Whitney, a highly skilled thief who finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, witnessing the murder of a woman involved in a secret tryst with the U.S. president (played by Gene Hackman). Determined to clear his name, Whitney cleverly eludes a tenacious detective (Ed Harris) while investigating a corruption of power reaching to the highest level of government. Adapted by veteran screenwriter William Goldman from David Baldacci's novel, this thriller balances expert suspense with well-drawn characters and an intelligent plot that's just a pounding heartbeat away from real White House headlines. Absolute Power features the great Judy Davis in a memorable supporting role as the White House chief of staff who desperately attempts to cover up the crime. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (41)

Two fabulous moments
Given its pedigree, and the talent on offer in every department, "Absolute Power" ought to be Absolutely Stunning. However, except for two sequences, it is merely competant entertainment.

The first great moment is a conversation in the Museum between Ed Harris (a cop investigating a robbery and murder) and Clint Eastwood (a known jewel thief). Harris suspects Eastwood, and is hoping to trick him into an admission by asking for "advice" on how the crime might have been committed. Eastwood did in fact commit the break-in and witnessed the murder, neither of which facts he wants to reveal. The conversation is a delightful cat-and-mouse game, acknowledged as such by both characters while they continue playing. It ends with Eastwood remarking that he must leave to go and have his pace-maker checked: Harris counters that he will be back tomorrow: "Tomorrow is promised to no-one," comes the rejoinder.

The second is a consumately filmed conversation between Gene Hackman and Judy Davis (respectively the U.S President and his Chief of Staff) while they give an exhibition-dance at a formal White House function. As they waltz, the President reveals to Davis that she is unknowingly wearing a necklace belonging to the murder-victim; in turn, Davis tells him that incriminating evidence is in the hands of Eastwood, who may use it to expose them both. As they trade this ghastly information back and forth in front of the assembled dignitaries, they have to pretend to be having a light-hearted, joking conversation.

Two fine scenes do not make a fine movie. But the rest is sufficiently entertaining that you will probably feel it was worth it.

A political thriller but also a strong father-daughter story
At the start of "Absolute Power" Luther Whitne (Clint Eastwood), cat burglar par excellence, finds himself in a very strange situation. While robbing a rich man's safe in a large bedroom closet, he is interrupted by the appearance of a man and woman who head straight for the bed. While hiding in the closet, where he sees what is going on through a two-way mirror, he watches while the sex play gets rough: the man hits her, she stabs him with a letter opener, and then two men come into the room and shoot her. Luther gets out of there, but while his presence was undetected it does not go undiscovered. The problem is that the man he was watching happens to be the President of the United States (Gene Hackman).

Now, I have to stop at this point and tell you that one of my cinematic pet peeves is the idea that the United States Secret Service will let the president do anything, no matter how stupid or reckless, without batting an eye. Indeed, in "Absolute Power" there are two such agents, who help to cover up the murder and then try to track down Luther and kill him. However, the actors playing those two agents happen to be Scott Glenn and Dennis Haysbert, which is an important fact because a lot of the faults in this film area absolved by the casting, the credit for which goes to the film's director: Clint Eastwood.

The hook for this thriller is the idea that the president, his Chief of Staff (Judy Davis), and the Secret Service are out to get Luther, whose stated intention is to get out of town and get lost as quick as possible. But the key to this film ends up being a rather odd romantic triangle that exists between Luther, his estranged daughter, Kate (Laura Linney), and the D.C. homicide cop, Seth Frank (Ed Harris), who is assigned to the murder. Frank interviews Luther, not because he thinks the old con is a murderer, but because he is one of the few that could have pulled off the heist. He then moves on to Kate, hoping to get her to persuade her father to turn himself in before the wrath of the rich man (E.G. Marshall) whose wife is dead comes crashing down on him. Frank clearly likes Kate and is rather impressed by Luther, which is good because I like smart cops. For his part, Luther clearly has some admiration for the detective and also likes his taste in women.

My favorite scene in this movie is when Frank takes Kate to her father's house, where she has never been, and (knowing where Luther hides the key), takes her inside. In one room she finds a gallery of photographs, of all of the key moments in her life after her father left. "She was at none of these," she insists to Frank, although clearly that was never the case and we can see in an instant that she is rethinking her entire relationship with her father. As much as it is fun to watch Luther outsmart the cops, the Secret Service, and the hitman sent by old man Sullivan, the heart of this film is between Luther and Kate. Even when she sets him up, believing it to be the only way of helping keep her father alive, he surprises her by showing up. His reasoning? He did not want her to believe he was a murderer. Besides, his daughter wanted to see him.

I understand the script by William Goldman is quite different from David Balducci's novel, but that simply has to do with Eastwood playing Luther (if you read the novel you will understand why this would matter in terms of the significant changes). Eastwood's direction is competent as always, and, as I mentioned above, he gets the credit for being able to bring together such a solid cast for one of his projects (who would turn down a Clint Eastwood movie?). Final Note: the White House Tour Guide is played by the director's daughter, Kimber Eastwood.

THIS TAKES A SWIPE AT CLINTON
"Absolute Power" had me thinking that somebody read my screenplay, "A Murderous Campaign", used my idea but gave me no credit. Maybe. "Absolute" is a Clint Eastwood picture, playing on the public perception that Bill Clinton might just be a murderer. However, the President bears no resemblance to Clinton.

STEVEN TRAVERS
AUTHOR OF "BARRY BONDS: BASEBALL'S SUPERMAN"
STWRITES@AOL.COM

Brilliant Thriller!!
In the dark times of the Clinton presidency of scandal and corruption ....this movie really hit home. I was amazed that Hollywood even let this movie slide by, considering their Leftist politics!
Gene Hackman plays a Clinton like President who cheats on his wife and biggest fund raising supporter,...with his chief of staff..seemingly resembling Hillary Clinton, who covers up for him...added to the dimension of realism to this movie. It almost resembles Tom Clancy's work with all the politics and secret service detail. Given the hilarious irony that a jewel thief/War hero (Clint Eastwood)had more honesty and character than this wife cheating President was even more funny!

This movie is one of Clint Eastwood's best...and is enjoyable no matter what party you are from.

Clint vs. The White House...Who Will Win?...Well, You Know!
This review refers to the Warner Home Video(DVD edition) of "Absolute Power"

This is one of Clint's best. It really shows off his expertise in front of and behind the camera. His on screen magnetism matches his superb direction in this great thriller. Also included is some of the best talent in Hollywood, as Clint has a knack for surrounding himself with the finest actors.

"Absolute Power" from 1997 is a terrific thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat(even after repeated viewings) as Clint goes up against some mighty powerful enemies. He is an aging master thief, and while in the process off pulling of the ultimate job, witnesses a murder.And this murder involves the most powerful man in the world. When Clint is the chief suspect, he must prove that the blood trail leads all the way to the Whitehouse. Not an easy task for our guy, as he is being persued by all sides.The film is multi-faceted as it also let's us in on this thief's softer side as he tries to build a relationship with his estranged daughter. A huge cast includes, Ed Harris, Gene Hackman, Laura Linney, Scott Glenn,Judy Davis, Dennis Haysbert and the great E.G. Marshall.

This film looks and sound magnificent on this superior quality DVD. You have the choice of widescreen(highly recommended), or standard format. Colors are vibrant, and the picture is crystal clear.The Dolby Dig 5.1 will have you thinking all the action is going on right in your living room. There are some production notes included and there are subtitles in English, French and Spanish.

This film is also offered as part of a 3-pack here at Amazon...The Clint Eastwood "Hero" collection. It also includes "Heartbreak Ridge" and "A Perfect World", which also stars Kevin Costner. If you are like me and can't live without ALL of Clint's work..the 3-pack would be a more economical way to go!

Washington is no match for our guy!(Who is?)....Go for it..and enjoy...Laurie ... Read more

Reviews (4)

One of the TOP 10 Women's Movies of ALL TIME!
Like all of Henry Jaglom films, Babyfever will only appeal to the top 20% of the world's population that are intelligent enough to understand and appreciate the genius of Henry Jaglom's films and who actually bother to honestly think about where their lives have been, presently are, seem to be going, and why. This film is a MUST SEE for all who've had children and who still can have children or who plan to have families through alternative means. There has never been a film before or since that maps out the treacherous territory of contemporary motherhood. Those who love this movie should also be sure to read Anne Crittenden's "The Price of Motherhood" for further discussion and exploration of these issues. This film is one of my favorite films of ALL TIME!

what baby food is to food, this is to good Jaglom
Having recently discovered Jaglom's films, particularly Eating, and Last Summer in the Hamptons which featured the charming Melanie Mayron look-alike Victoria Foyt (and Jaglom's wife), I was curious about this title. However the extreme reactions of the existing reviews gave me caution. The format is similar to Eating, where straight to camera interviews are intercut with a narrative. Jaglom's strength is in presenting cinema verite conversations between actors, but since he takes nearly an hour to begin the baby shower that the cast assemble for, we have to endure Foyt with Matt Salinger. These scenes feel improvised to the miniscule degree and Foyt overplays her discomfort, especially when she barks to release tension. Her energy in general here seems lower than it was in Hamptons, and soon her anguish over Salinger and whether or not she is pregant to him becomes tiresome. There is an unnecessary diversion with Zack Norman as the husband of the shower hostess, Norman being the least talented of the Jaglom/Emil/Norman triumvirate. Thankfully Eric Roberts turns up for one scene (odd casting even for Jaglom) as a past suitor and brings some edge. However things pick up for the shower when the film populates. Jaglom amusingly shows us a wall of cascading water to coincide with the confirmed pregnant women, though surprisingly the one with a born child is removed quickly. Foyt is better when she has scenes with the deep-voiced Dinah Henney, and scores a laugh when the aforementioned baby reacts badly to her. I liked Henney's line referring to Salinger, that you can't marry someone who deals in golf metaphors. The range of opinions expressed to camera covers alternative views, including career women with no interest in childbirth, a lesbian couple, women married to men who don't want children, those infertile, and those who believe motherhood has deprived them of careers. We also get a female doctor on hand, who herself looks pregnant, to deliver technical advice which bogs down proceedings. Perhaps the confessions have less depth and reveal less pain than the shameful feelings on display in Eating, but I guess this topic is less prone to such negative emotions. Unlike the end of Eating where Jaglom identified each actor by face and name, there are some quirky touches that I am unable to attach to an actor, though perhaps not being able to identify the singer who delivers some bum notes in her performance is a blessing.

I Couldn't Take It Anymore!
Now, this may read strangely coming from a Jaglom fan, and a young father at that, but "Babyfever" was excrutiating to watch. I made it roughly midway and had to (1) stop, (2) rewind and (3)return. Sorry.

A must for all women between the ages fo 30 and 48
I have watched this about ten times and every time I am overwhelmed at the emotions I feel. I laugh, but most of all I cry, sometimes happy tears, sometimes sad tears, but most of the time because I never saw my feelings expressed before the way they are in this film. Henry Jaglom and Victoria Foyt are true geniuses and this is such a moving and important film. I cannot give it enough praise except to say, buy it and see for yourself. ... Read more