Absolute Power

R

1997

2 hr. 0 min.

Mystery & Thriller

List

56%

57 Reviews

Tomatometer

52%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

While robbing the home of aging billionaire Walter Sullivan (E.G. Marshall), Luther Whitney (Clint Eastwood) is interrupted by an amorous couple entering the building. As Whitney hides, he sees Sullivan's young wife, Christy (Melora Hardin), and the U.S. President, Alan Richmond (Gene Hackman). When their affection turns violent, Christy is killed by the Secret Service. Although Whitney flees, he is framed for the murder. Now, he seeks justice with the help of detective Seth Frank (Ed Harris).

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Critics Consensus

Absolute Power collapses under its preposterous plotting despite an all-star cast and Clint Eastwood's deft direction.

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Eye C

I like the character of Mr. Eastwood, the story at the beginning it's so interesting… but the ending doesn't feel real, it resolves the conflict in a way that doesn't feels believable. But very entertaining.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/07/24

Full Review

DanTheMan 2

Absolute Power sees Eastwood at his effortless, slyboots best, infused with a predictably deliberate sensibility. A constantly spiralling game of cat-and-mouse, that steadily raises the stakes throughout, boasting an all-star, high-calibre cast and seemingly no one under the age of 30. Eastwood deftly cranks up the suspense at the beginning, and by the end, he's cruising along so briskly that he can afford to throw away the climactic, violent scenes other directors would belabour. Although the film ends on a whimper, it offers one of Eastwood's more understated and deeply felt performances. Unhurried and genteel but enlivened with suspense and bursts of sly humour, there's a real dad energy to this film. Granted it's mostly in how everyone talks with a lot of delightful back and forth between Eastwood and Harris; Gene Hackman plays an absolute slimeball and the supporting cast all fulfil their roles exceptionally well. Married by William Goldman's taut script and a fantastic, if somewhat repetitive, score by regular collaborator Lennie Niehaus (Eastwood, of course, contributed to this as well, mainly in the gorgeous piano pieces); Absolute Power remains a terrific and solidly enjoyable suspense thriller about impending mortality. Even if the plot is a doomsday version of Bill Clinton's Paula Jones problem...

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/03/24

Full Review

Maik S

Created an account on rotten tomatoes just to be able to rate this. Should proudly receive the raspberry award for poorest screenplay of the century. Unbelievably lazy plot writing. Watch it and waste your time.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/03/24

Full Review

Red B

It's ok. The main issue is the subpar pacing. Scenes like the 15 minute killing that sets everything up just drags more than anything or dialouge that goes on a bit too long. Even the set up to capture Clint drags out. It's clear these scenes are trying to build suspense but this never really does as much as it just prods along at a leisurely pace. The acting is the highlight and is solid all around from the cast and does make it easier to watch these slow/draggy scenes.The romance subplot between his daughter & Harris feels forced and could've been cut out though. Everything else is jus ok enough. This needed a better soundtrack as its very boring and hardly used at times giving this a very dry feeling throughout. There are a few farfected/plot conviences as well. How he doesn't recognize that is POTUS for hours watching, he just happens to see him on the TV as he's about to leave, he happens to have a cop uniform to escape, he somehow becomes his driver without no one noticing or being alerted to him. Scenes are shot well and this alternates to boring scenes of dialouge between other supporting characters explaining the plot and what they know so it jumps around quite a bit in the middle but makes sense enough. It's very clear Clint Eastwood isn't as strong working with thrillers as he is with other genres like War, Drama, and Westerns. The writing, pacing (which is huge for a thriller more than any other genre), and music all needed better execution. If your a die hard fan of any actors in this AND a fan of thrillers than maybe give this a watch. Otherwise you can skip this.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/29/23

Full Review

Bruno V

A história do filme é um tremendo PLOTA. Mas, os furos de roteiro, de interpretação, de sonoplastia e a má direção que deram nesse filme, não conseguiu me motivar a dar mais estrelinhas. Esperava mais de Clint.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

08/06/23

Full Review

Robin S

One of the best movies I have ever seen. Hackman and Eastwood together is an unforgettable combination, and they were both at their best. The plot of the movie is unique, a burglar witnesses a murder by the President of the United States and chooses not to run. While it walks on the fringes of believability, the movie is plausible and one fantastic drama. It's as fresh now as it was in 1997 when it was made. You will be glued to your screen.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/30/22

Full Review

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Clint Eastwood

Director

Clint Eastwood

Luther Whitney

Gene Hackman

President Allen Richmond

Ed Harris

Seth Frank

Laura Linney

Kate Whitney

Judy Davis

Gloria Russell

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Rita Kempley

Washington Post

Eastwood the director sets a pace so poky that grannies with walkers seem fleet in comparison. Of course, this makes the many plot holes and implausibilities all the more evident...

Jun 25, 2020

Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Clint Eastwood as producer-director-star strikes out in a rather slack thriller that oddly recalls a couple of Hitchcock's lesser movies, To Catch a Thief and Topaz.

Jun 25, 2020

Full Review

Peter Travers

Rolling Stone

Absolute Power is... fresh out of the clichés that reduce most thrillers to formula.

Jun 25, 2020

Full Review

Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

A Clint Eastwood film that lays out the ingredients for a well-made political thriller, but its lack of intrigue and calculated effect throws the mix into an unfinished sketch. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 6/10

Dec 7, 2021

Full Review

Tom Hutchinson

Radio Times

Credibility is the main casualty of the piece, but William Goldman's taut script is well realised by thoughtful direction and the high-calibre cast.

Rated: 3/5

Jun 25, 2020

Full Review

Chris Hewitt

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Absolute Power" is appealingly untrendy: no car chases, no explosions, no nubile strippers. There isn't even a single character in the movie under 30.

Jun 25, 2020

Full Review

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Synopsis

While robbing the home of aging billionaire Walter Sullivan (E.G. Marshall), Luther Whitney (Clint Eastwood) is interrupted by an amorous couple entering the building. As Whitney hides, he sees Sullivan's young wife, Christy (Melora Hardin), and the U.S. President, Alan Richmond (Gene Hackman). When their affection turns violent, Christy is killed by the Secret Service. Although Whitney flees, he is framed for the murder. Now, he seeks justice with the help of detective Seth Frank (Ed Harris).

Director: Clint Eastwood
Executive Producer: Tom Rooker
Production Co: Castle Rock Entertainment, Malpaso Company
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 15, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $50.0M
Sound Mix: Surround

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