Absolute Power (1997)
Average Rating: 5.5/10
Reviews Counted: 42
Fresh: 19 | Rotten: 23
No consensus yet.
Average Rating: 6.1/10
Critic Reviews: 12
Fresh: 6 | Rotten: 6
No consensus yet.
liked it
Average Rating: 3.2/5
User Ratings: 31,683
My Rating
Movie Info
In this thriller, an aging cat burglar becomes a crusader embroiled in a deadly cat-and-mouse game involving murder and a government cover-up. Adapted by distinguished scenarist William Goldman from a novel by David Baldacci and featuring a powerful all-star cast, the story works at different levels, not only as a straight-forward thriller but also as an insightful look at the love between the old thief and his estranged daughter, a highly successful prosecuting attorney. The trouble begins when
Feb 14, 1997 Wide
Jul 8, 1997
Warner Home Video
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Cast
-
Clint Eastwood
Luther Whitney -
Gene Hackman
President Alan Richmond -
Ed Harris
Seth Frank -
Laura Linney
Kate Whitney -
Judy Davis
Gloria Russell -
Scott Glenn
Bill Burton -
Dennis Haysbert
Tim Collin -
Melora Hardin
Christy Sullivan -
Alison Eastwood
Art Student -
Robert Harvey
Cop -
Richard Jenkins
Michael McCarty -
Penny Johnson
Laura Simon -
Elaine Kagan
Valerie -
Mark Margolis
Red -
E.G. Marshall
Walter Sullivan -
Kenneth Welsh
Sandy Lord -
George Orrison
Airport Bartender -
Charles McDaniel
Medical Examiner -
Kimber Eastwood
White House Tour Guide -
Joy Ehrlich
Reporter -
John Lyle Campbell
Repairman -
Yau-Gene Chan
Waiter -
Eric Dahlquist Jr.
Oval Office Agent -
Jack Stewart Taylor
Watergate Doorman
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All Critics (46) | Top Critics (12) | Fresh (21) | Rotten (23) | DVD (11)
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.
Doesn't rank with Eastwood's best work as actor/director, but it's nevertheless solidly enjoyable.
Mr. Hackman languishes in the smallish role of a White House buffoon, with Judy Davis equally cartoonish as his witchy chief of staff.
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.
Ultimately, this is a thriller in vain search of credible thrills.
Almost a drawing room thriller, unhurried and genteel but enlivened with suspense and surprising bursts of sly, even biting, humor.
...enough twists and turns going for it, and enough humor and suspense, to keep one occupied. Basically, it's a so-so effort from Eastwood. (Blu-ray Edition)
...Eastwood makes what he can of a nifty, though implausible, what-if idea.
Eastwood films with his usual effortless pace, generating suspense practically out of thin air.
One begins to long for a good explosion.
Not one of Clint's best, but still better-than-average entertainment.
Contrived and dawdling.
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...
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Foreign Titles
- Les Pleins pouvoirs (FR)
- Poder Absoluto (ES)


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