ABSOLUTE POWER (1997)

MORGAN'S RATING

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 witnsesses 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.

Clint Eastwood (Luther Whitney), Gene Hackman (President Allen Richmond), Ed Harris (Seth Frank, D.C. Homicide), Laura Linney (Kate Whitney), Scott Glenn (Bill Burton), Dennis Haysbert (Tim Collin), Judy Davis (Gloria Russell), E.G. Marshall (Walter Sullivan), Melora Hardin (Christy Sullivan), Kenneth Welsh (Sandy Lord), Penny Johnson (Laura Simon), Richard Jenkins (Michael McCarty), Mark Margolis (Red Brandsford), Elaine Kagan (Valerie), Alison Eastwood (Art Student), Yau-Gene Chan (Waiter), George Orrison (Airport Bartender), Charles McDaniel (Medical Examiner), John Lyle Campbell (Repair Man), Kimber Eastwood (White House Tour Guide), Eric Dahlquist Jr. (Oval Office Agent), Jack Stewart Taylor (Watergate Doorman), Joy Ehrlich (Reporter), Robert Harvey (Cop), Buddy Van Horn.

CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY.

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

DIRECTOR: Clint Eastwood (Pale Rider) WRITERS: William Goldman, and based on the book by David Baldacci. PRODUCERS: Clint Eastwood and Karen S. Spiegel. ASSOCIATE PRODUCER: Michael Maurer.  EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Tom Rooker. ORIGINAL MUSIC: Lennie Niehaus and Clint Eastwood. DISTRIBUTOR: Warner Bros.

FACTS

RELEASE DATE: February 14th, 1997 (USA) BOX OFFICE OPENING: $16.7 million (USA) BOX OFFICE RESULT: $50.0 million (USA) BUDGET: $50 million (USA) - This adaptation of David Baldacci's novel omits the novel's hero: Jack Graham, a lawyer and good friend of both Luther and Kate Whitney. In the novel, he outlives Luther and carries on the battle to clear Luther's name of the murder charge. - The team that scores a touchdown in the game that Clint Eastwood watches is James Madison University. - Gene Hackman plays the President of the United States and E.G. Marshall co-stars. In Superman II (1980), Marshall plays the President and Hackman co-stars.

QUOTES

Tim Collin: Mercy. Luther: I'm fresh out.

Bartender: Your life could be a whole lot simpler if you could learn to operate a VCR.

Luther: You're the only famiy I have. Kate: Luther, you don't have me.

Luther: I've got to go have my pacemaker checked, it has been so exciting talking to you.

Medical Examiner: Looks like he tried to strangle her. Seth: He strangled her, then he went to the door to shoot her from behind? Medical Examiner: He also inspected her vagina. Seth: He did WHAT? Why? Laura: Maybe he didn't remember that he did her. Seth: A strong burglar with a weak mind. Obviously another open-and-shut case.

CRITICAL COMMENTS

"Unintentional yuks litter an otherwise somber political thriller adapted from David Baldacci's novel." -- Mike Clark, USA Today

"This film, although watchable and enjoyable, makes me wonder if Eastwood burned himself out after the masterpiece of Unforgiven." -- Widgett Walls, Needcoffee.com

Kate: Do you know what it's like to be the only kid in the first grae who got to talk about visiting day?

Walter: I'd been married to my Rebecca for 47 years. When she died, I decided I never wanted that pain again. One thing I knew about Christy, she was going to outlive me.

"The script calls for no bold statements about the politics of the White House, which makes the film rather weak in purpose." -- Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Luther: You heartless whore!