Absolute Power *** (1997, Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Ed Harris) – Classic Movie Review 1829

This improbable but modestly good and moderately exciting 1997 thriller stars a usefully employed Clint Eastwood as a veteran career thief named Luther Whitney who witnesses a horrific crime involving the US President.

Whitney is a veteran burglar who breaks into the Washington mansion of an elderly millionaire named Walter Sullivan (E G Marshall). Whitney inadvertently witnesses a killing from his hiding-place in the bedroom when Sullivan’s young wife Christy (Melora Hardin) enters with her lover, US President Allen Richmond (Gene Hackman).

[Spoiler alert] Shockingly, rough sex lover Richmond starts slapping Christy and she slaps him back but the sex session goes wrong when she attempts to stab him with a letter-opener. Richmond calls for help and his Secret Service bodyguards burst into the room and open fire, killing Christy. It’s a brilliantly compelling opening sequence, getting things off to a mesmerising start.

The Chief of Staff Gloria Russell (Judy Davis) immediately organises a cover-up. And when the President’s staff realise that Whitney is a witness to the killing, he is forced to go on the run – but the Secret Service is determined to keep him quiet.

Screenplay writer William Goldman does his usual sterling job of adapting David Baldacci’s book. Eastwood directs conscientiously but anonymously, encouraging strong acting performances, and produces efficiently. Eastwood, Hackman, Ed Harris as the police chief investigating Christy’s killing and Laura Linney as Eastwood’s daughter are all very good value.

© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Movie Review 1829

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