Rating: 
Summary: Great talent - but not a film to match
Review: Eastwood and Hackman strut through a story that seems well below them and the other talents that parade through it. Eastwood is Luther Whitney, one of the last of a stealthy but proud breed of cat burglars. Whitney can break through any security system, but he possesses a sort of nobility - he only strikes at the rich, and he seems unusually obsessed with the beauty of artworks that draw him to theft. (Eastwood deftly makes Luther's eye for art and the intricacy of security systems a convincing character strength - Luther's a bit of an artist himself). Unfortunately, his latest "victim" is a wealthy and politically-connected capital-area magnate played by EG Marshall. Thinking the coast will be clear when Marshall's character is out of town, Eastwood breaks in - only to be trapped when the luxury manse plays host to a tryst between the tycoon's latest trophy-wife and her paramour, the President of the United States (Gene Hackman). When the President's latest "date" veers into rough-sex, the Chief's secret-service detail accidentally kills the rich man's wife. Hackman's slimy chief-of-staff, a velociraptor in heels played by Judy Davis, goes into damage-control mode. Though missing Whitney at the time of the murder, Davis's character quickly realizes that the President's latest act of shame was witnessed. Realizing that "Absolute Power" is not only at stake, but is also available, she quickly makes Whitney the chief suspect. Unfortunately for her and Hackman, Whitney's talents are well-suited, not only to eluding every major law-enforcement agency in America, but to getting back at the president as well, and clearing his name. Problem-wise, the story doesn't compare well to "No Way Out" (1988) with which it shares the same general premise - and the comparisons seem especially hard to avoid since Hackman plays what amounts to the same role in each movie. (As here, "No Way" had Hackman as a politically powerful figure who accidentally kills a lover, later learning that he'd been witnessed by the-man-that-can't-be-found; in both stories, Hackman's venal but single-minded assistant hits on the idea of framing the mystery-witness for the crime.) While Costner was easy to sympathize with (setting us up for a beautiful twist at the end that "Absolute" never tries to match), Eastwood's character seems a tad annoying - he's a thief, and he's smart enough to be able to escape and rebuild his life without fear of capture - which obviates the tension that Costner suffered because he had no-way-out. Also, Whitney had no connection to murdered woman which deprives the flick of emotional force (the film tosses in Laura Linney as his daughter, but gives her little to do but be used as a lure for Whitney's assassins). Lastly, Whitney had no strategy for getting at the truth - unlike Costner who possessed a single strategy for linking Sean Young's character to Hackman's. The ending seems a major cheat, one that doesn't begin to convince you (no matter how jaded you feel about politics) that Hackman's and Davis's characters would get anywhere near "Absolute Power". WISH I'D SAID THAT: When getting the better of an assassin disguised as a hospital orderly, Eastwood says "Dr. Kervorkian, I presume?" .
Rating: 
Summary: A gripping thriller
Review: Clint Eastwood is a professional thief in the middle of plying his trade when a middle aged man brings a young woman into the bedroom. Hidden in a vault behind a one way mirror, Eastwood witnesses the woman's rape and her murder. And he noticed the killer is president of the United States. Now the question is what to do about what he has seen ?
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding thriller!
Review: I enjoyed this movie very much. I didn't mind that there were plot holes here and there-I just didn't care. It was entertaining and gripping and I loved every minute of it. I especially loved that I didn't know *anything* about the plot of the movie as I watched it. There were a few extra surprises for me along the way, which enhanced my enjoyment of the movie. I loved Clint Eastwood's character. He's such a wiley and resourceful fellow, definitely able and capable. But he's not above playing the "age card", and making mentions of his AARP membership, and trying to pass himself off as someone who is too old to do anything interesting anymore. The twinkle in his eye as he starts in with the age thing is very amusing indeed. The rest of the cast in this film is also very good-special cudos for E.G. Marshall, in one of his last roles. His performance is articulate and strong and spot-on. Ed Harris has that friendly, open face, and he's very likeable in this movie. He's also able to show a sweet sense of humor. (The line, "I live alone" will have a special significance after you see this movie!) Gene Hackman is great as a wimpy yet simultaniously slimy character. Judy Davis is absolutely wonderful too-as an evil ice queen hiding behind the mask of an attractive woman. Dennis Haysbert (now playing Palmer in "24") and character actor Scott Glenn are good in their roles as well. The best part in this film, in my opinion, are the scenes between Eastwood and his estranged daughter, played by Laura Linney. Their relationship is what makes this movie stand out. Eastwood's character has been seemingly so distant from his daughter for so many years; yet she's still his "little girl" and we see how deeply he loves her as the film progresses. This is a worthwhile film, and very entertaining. Recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Absolute Indifference
Review: ABSOLUTE POWER didn't deliver a memorable performance by Clint Eastwood. While his character, Luther Whitney, is flawed, he also lacks much of the substance that makes Eastwood's other outings (FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE, UNFORGIVEN, etc.) real teeth. Still, this standard fare was one of the first to shed light on the inner workings of the White House, especially with its just-before-the-age-of-Clinton philandering politician who inadvertantly kills a woman and then does everything he possibly can to cover it up. Not a great film, by any measure, but one worth the viewing. It is Eastwood, after all.
Rating:
Summary: Eastwood's film needs a Presedential Pardon
Review: There was a time when ABSOLUTE POWER had success written all over it. It is based on a best-selling novel of political intrigue, adapted by screenwriter William Goldman (BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID) and was directed by and starred the sturdy Clint Eastwood. But, like most things political, the film gets lost in red tape and the story is trivialized. Luther, a slick jewel thief (Eastwood) witnesses and is blamed for a crime of passion while 'working'. As the murder intimately involves the President of the United States, more than jail awaits Luther if he is trapped. The President's chief of staff and bodyguards will stop at nothing to keep the President 'Protected'. Thrown in to round out the film is Luther's derivative quest to mend his relationship with his daughter. Gene Hackman, who is able to add a touch of class to every film (except HEARTBREAKERS), is the President who gets less out of his cabinet when he's not out of his drawers. At the books writing, the concept of the philandering command-in-chief was unique. Not since John Kennedy had the tabloids been filled with such material. But the film is watered down by President Clinton's controversial real-life relationships. But bad timing is no excuse for the poorly executed material and awkward scenes. An overlong and overcomplicated relationship between Luther and the Homicide detective who hunts him down is only made worse when he falls for the daughter, Kate. The usually strong Ed Harris plays agent Seth Frank feebly and Laura Linney fills the unrewarding victim role of Kate nicely. Scott Glenn is wallpaper as the bodyguard that gets a crisis of conscience. He works alongside one of the only bright points in the film, Judy Davis as the manipulative Chief of Staff. This film has some clever moments but is altogether shoddily constructed as potentially short scenes are dreadfully long and vice versa. However, the film can be a brief distraction from what ails you. The DVD has an audio video transfer worthy of a better film.
Rating: 
Summary: absolutely awful
Review: My BF and I watched this movie about Hackman being the Pres,and attacking his girlfriend, I became digusted when he smacks her around(likes [it] rough,does he?) and is drunk. Why would the Pres have his mistress in the White House?Even worse,why does she get shot defending herself after she is the victim of an... assault by the Pres?Scott Glen is a Secret Service agent who should ask first,why is this woman here with her clothes torn and bruises on her face?Why does she need a weapon and why isn't the adulterous Pres asked what th heck he's up to? Waste of time in my opinion.Total waste of cast and extermely offensive
Rating: 
Summary: Well made believable Thriller.
Review: When a Professional Thief (Three Time Oscar-Winner:Clint Eastwood) witness a rape and a murder of a young beautiful woman is murder by the President of the United States (Two Time Oscar-Winner:Gene Hackman). Now the question is what the thief sees and how to stay alive long enough to tell the truth, what he did saw. Directed by Actor:Clint Eastwood (The Bridges of Madison Country, True Crime, Blood Work) has made a fine suspense-thriller. Based on the Novel by David Baldacci and Screenplay by Two Time Oscar-Winner:William Goldman. This film has a fine supporting cast including:Ed Harris, Laura Linney, Judy Davis, Scott Glenn, Dennis Haysbert and E.G. Marshall. This is a well made gripping thriller. Panavision. Grade:A-.
Rating:
Summary: Just Terrible
Review: This film was without a doubt, terrible. The plot, although based on a novel, was ridiculously obserd. The fact that the President of the United States was having as affair behind the world's back... not very likely at all. Not to mention the Secret Service as the President's personal assassins, the fact that no one overheard the conversations between the President and the Chief of Staff and the incidents in the hospital. They surely would be caught in camera. This was nothing more than a cheap thriller. I am very surprised Clint Eastwood was able to cast such great actors such as Gene Hackman, Ed Harris and Laura Linney. I hardly enjoyed watching their acting careers slowly disintigrate with this film. It tried to be emotional at certain parts when the viewer feels absolutely no bond with the portrayed characters, simply making it ridiculous. No emotions leapt when watching this film, not even any cheap thrills. Trust me when I tell you it is a waste of time and money and the inaccuracies are so incredible it will seem like the true work of an amateur.
Rating:
Summary: Cat burgler plays both cat and mouse sides of game.
Review: Clint Eastwood plays a career thief who witnesses a violent tyrst between the drunk President of the United States (played reasonably well by Gene Hackman) and a young woman that ends in an unintended murder. After escaping, he decides to run, until seeing the President milking the murder for PR points at a press conference. Disgusted, he decides to fight and bring the President down. While the plot of Absolute Power might prove a tad hard to swallow, it nonetheless keeps the viewer on the edge of the seat, eager to find out what will happen next. This is a battle of minds, not brawn, so there is little real gun battle action (though the gloves come off in the end) to satisfy Eastwood's Dirty Harry fans. A well polished suspense thriller, worth a look.
Rating:
Summary: ONE OF THE BEST MOVIES EASTWOOD HAS MADE.
Review: HE WAS AT THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME AND SAW WHAT HE SHOULD NOT HAVE SEE. WHO WILL BELIEVE A THIEF WHEN HE SAID HE SAW A WOMAN GET KILLED AND THAT THE PERSON SHE WAS WITH WAS THE PRESISDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. CLINT EASTWOOD STARS AS LUTHER WHITNEY A MASTER THIEF WHO GOES TO ROB THE PRESIDENTS HOUSE PLAYED BY GENE HACKMAN. BUT GENE AND HIS GIRLFRIEND COME HOME AND CLINT IS FORCED TO HIDE IN THE VAULT FOR A LONG TIME AND WATCH WHAT GENE DOES TO THE GIRL. THEN THE COP WHO GETS INVOLVED IS ED HARRIS WHO BELIEVES CLINT DID THE ROBBERY. RATED R FOR VIOLENCE,SEXUALITY,AND SOME LANGUAGE.
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