Rating: 
Summary: Decent first half, GREAT second half... Eastwood is perfect!
Review: This was a very good, not great movie. It is a bit slow at first, but you will find that there are just so many little things about this movie that are great. Eastwood is perfect: excellent acting, flawless direction... and he's got some of his typical one-liners. Definitly see this movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Blech! And that's being generous!
Review: A great opening twenty minutes, and then... nothing. The script, the direction, the acting- everything is fumbled. Eastwood asks the audience to condemn abuse of power but also indulges his own Dirty-Harry image. See "All The President's Men" (also from writer Goldman) instead, even if you already have.
Rating:
Summary: THIS TAKES A SWIPE AT CLINTON
Review: "Absolute Power" had me thinking that somebody read my screenplay, "A Murderous Campaign", used my idea but gave me no credit. Maybe. "Absolute" is a Clint Eastwood picture, playing on the public perception that Bill Clinton might just be a murderer. However, the President bears no resemblance to Clinton.STEVEN TRAVERS
AUTHOR OF "BARRY BONDS: BASEBALL'S SUPERMAN"
STWRITES@AOL.COM
Rating: 
Summary: Two fabulous moments
Review: Given its pedigree, and the talent on offer in every department, "Absolute Power" ought to be Absolutely Stunning. However, except for two sequences, it is merely competant entertainment. The first great moment is a conversation in the Museum between Ed Harris (a cop investigating a robbery and murder) and Clint Eastwood (a known jewel thief). Harris suspects Eastwood, and is hoping to trick him into an admission by asking for "advice" on how the crime might have been committed. Eastwood did in fact commit the break-in and witnessed the murder, neither of which facts he wants to reveal. The conversation is a delightful cat-and-mouse game, acknowledged as such by both characters while they continue playing. It ends with Eastwood remarking that he must leave to go and have his pace-maker checked: Harris counters that he will be back tomorrow: "Tomorrow is promised to no-one," comes the rejoinder. The second is a consumately filmed conversation between Gene Hackman and Judy Davis (respectively the U.S President and his Chief of Staff) while they give an exhibition-dance at a formal White House function. As they waltz, the President reveals to Davis that she is unknowingly wearing a necklace belonging to the murder-victim; in turn, Davis tells him that incriminating evidence is in the hands of Eastwood, who may use it to expose them both. As they trade this ghastly information back and forth in front of the assembled dignitaries, they have to pretend to be having a light-hearted, joking conversation. Two fine scenes do not make a fine movie. But the rest is sufficiently entertaining that you will probably feel it was worth it.
Rating: 
Summary: If only the movie would have followed the book....
Review: This movie was awful. That's all I can say about it. It killed the book, which happens to be one of my favorites. When I got this movie after reading the book, I excitedly stuck it in my VCR (yes, VCR-- no affordable DVD Players at the time), I was expecting so much more than what I received. I know movies have to cut out a lot from the books to fit them into 2-hours, but I've never before seen a movie cut out the main hero before! Now, that's just ridiculous! If I were the author, David Baldacci, I would be furious that my story had been so badly butchered. Clint Eastwood had to be the star, so he twisted the whole plot around to make Luther Whitney the hero, when in the book Luther Whitney is gunned down half-way though. In the movie, the book's hero Jack Graham is totally non-existent.
My advice to you if you're looking to buy a good movie: look someplace else. Read the book. If only the movie would've followed the book a little more closely... It might have been a blockbuster hit. Too bad.
Rating:
Summary: Slick and Entertaining Thriller
Review: This movie is directed by Clint Eastwood, written by William Goldman and stars Eastwood and Gene Hackman. So one expects to be kept entertained and one is. The plot is not dissimilar to `Murder at 1600' released the same year but this movie is a bit less preposterous if still a bit incredible. Eastwood is Luther Whitney, a likeable old housebreaker who is robbing a posh big house when he is interrupted. Hiding in a closet he witnesses a murder in which the Secret Service shoot dead a woman trying to defend herself against being raped by the US President no less. Though Whitney is obviously not the most honest man alive he's keen to blow the whistle but how? Surely nobody will believe him against the President and the Secret Service who are soon hard at work trying to wipe him out.
This is very watchable, well-made thriller much as was Eastwood's `In the Line of Fire' a few years earlier. The suspense is nicely done and the acting generally pretty good. It's nothing very deep, just a popcorn movie - sadly nowhere near scaling the heights Eastwood reached with 'Unforgiven' - but a pretty decent effort. Its biggest flaw on the credibility front is probably that highlighted when Whitney is interviewed by Ed Harris's cop who thinks he is the burglar if possibly not the killer. 'I'm way too old for that sort of thing' is the line Whitney tries to sell him to avert suspicion and, for the audience, it's maybe hard to avoid the thought that, Yes, Clint, old fellow, maybe you are...
Rating: 
Summary: By far , the best film noir of Clint Eastwood !
Review: Fantastic film ; memticulous and carefully built ,loaded of the highest suspense you may expect . In this clever film noir , Eastwood is an outsider . He is not a detective , but a jewel thief who watchs something he never had to see .
This brutal murderer will reach the highest governement levels in which a very well planned chase will be made behind the traces of Eastwood .
A great script . Hackman is absolute convincing in the best role which he has represented more than any one else ; the immoral, corrupt , decadent and perverse villain .
Intelligent puzzle and artistic film prove once more than industry and craft may join .
One of the best films in his career .
Rating:
Summary: TENSION DRIVEN BY CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, NOT CIRCUMSTANCE
Review: Despite the plot's dainty pablum (morality plus blackmail in high quarters) and somewhat farfetched setup (even if Clinton and a certain intern may have made it very credible for recent generations), the strength of Absolute Power lies in its character interactions. It is simply captivating to watch stalwarts exchange fairly taut dialogue.
The denouement comes a bit hot-footed and wraps up loose ends a bit too neatly, making you think "Why didn't they just do that earlier?" and leaving you with an after-taste that the film lacked consistence or even any real depth. E.g., couldn't we have done without the subplot involving the daughter? Why not use Ed Harris a bit more? etc.
Nonetheless, while watching it is riveting in its buildup of suspense, and to its credit the pace doesn't dilly-dally. Certainly a very worthy rental.
Rating:
Summary: THIS TAKES A SWIPE AT CLINTON
Review: "Absolute Power" had me thinking that somebody read my screenplay, "A Murderous Campaign", used my idea but gave me no credit. Maybe. "Absolute" is a Clint Eastwood picture, playing on the public perception that Bill Clinton might just be a murderer. However, the President bears no resemblance to Clinton. STEVEN TRAVERS
AUTHOR OF "BARRY BONDS: BASEBALL'S SUPERMAN"
STWRITES@AOL.COM
Rating:
Summary: THE POWER OF THE DIRECTOR
Review: With MYSTIC RIVER being the most recent example, director Clint Eastwood shows why his movies are so powerful: the casting and the expert, effective direction. Eastwood the director is much better than Eastwood the actor, and there are times I wish he'd cast others in the roles he takes. But that aside, this political thriller soars because of the wonderful actors and the way Clint works with them to bring out the best, even in smaller, seemingly insignificant scenes. Let's look at some of these performances:
GENE HACKMAN - an outstanding actor who always gives a hundred percent doesn't get a lot of screen time in this one, but of course his scenes are pivotal and his ability to create such a devious and self-centered liar are brilliant.
LAURA LINNEY - one of our most consistently good actresses, Laura takes the cliche role of abandoned daughter, but fills it with the hurt that comes from that; the love that still wants to get out, and her devotion to the man she feels abandoned her. Her scene with Ed Harris in which she goes to her father's apartment and sees all the pictures is wonderful.
ED HARRIS - he plays a smart cop and an attractive, lonely one at that. His falling for Linney is understandable, and Harris controls his performance brilliantly.
SCOTT GLENN & DENNIS HAYSBERT as the secret service men are very different and the contrast works well. Glenn is remorseful over his actions; Haysbert is obviously a man who likes to kill and feel power. Their supporting contribution is essential to the movie.
E.G. MARSHALL - this late great actor has never been better. An 80 year old billionaire with a young wife who he really loves faces her tragic death and seeks revenge. And yet, he had a room built where he could watch this young wife screw around with younger and more virile men just to prove he loved her. Marshall's scene in the limo with Clint is also very moving.
JUDY DAVIS - this talented actress at times reminded me of Cruella Deville with her flashy arm movements and histrionics, but as her character develops, one can see the motivation behind these gestures, and the deep passion she feels for Hackman. A very well done and enthralling movie.
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