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Absolute Power (1997)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Release Date:
14 February 1997 (USA)
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Tagline:
Corrupts Absolutely.
Plot:
A career thief witnesses a horrific crime involving the U.S. President. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
1 nomination
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NewsDesk:
(11 articles)
Doc Jensen geeks out on 'FlashForward': Follow the clues; crack the mystery! (maybe)
(From EW.com - PopWatch. 20 November 2009, 3:01 PM, PST)
Warner announces 'Public Enemies' sequel
(From digitalspy. 18 October 2009, 6:16 AM, PDT)
(From EW.com - PopWatch. 20 November 2009, 3:01 PM, PST)
Warner announces 'Public Enemies' sequel
(From digitalspy. 18 October 2009, 6:16 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
Quite good, rather.
more (111 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Clint Eastwood | ... | Luther Whitney | |
| Gene Hackman | ... | President Allen Richmond | |
| Ed Harris | ... | Seth Frank | |
| 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 (as Ken Welsh) | |
| Penny Johnson | ... | Laura Simon | |
| Richard Jenkins | ... | Michael McCarty | |
| Mark Margolis | ... | Red Brandsford | |
| Elaine Kagan | ... | Valerie | |
| Alison Eastwood | ... | Art Student |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated R for violence, sexuality and language.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
121 min
Country:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Philippines:PG-13 |
Netherlands:12 (TV version) |
Argentina:16 |
Australia:M |
Belgium:KNT |
Chile:18 |
Finland:K-16 |
France:U |
Germany:12 (bw) |
Iceland:14 (original rating) |
Iceland:16 (video rating) |
Netherlands:16 |
Norway:15 |
Peru:18 |
Portugal:M/12 |
Singapore:PG |
South Korea:18 |
Spain:18 |
Sweden:15 |
UK:15 |
USA:R (certificate #35038)
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The house in the beginning of the film is actually a real castle in Brooklandville, Maryland. It belongs to Maryvale Preparatory school. Classes are held inside, as well as some administration and offices. The carpet and the painting seen hanging were left in the Castle after filming was finished.
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Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: When the Special Agents of the US Secret Service are pushing Kate off the cliff, a mechanical device is seen clearly pushing the car over the cliff.
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Quotes:
Medical Examiner:
Looks like he tried to strangle her.
Seth Frank: He strangled her, then he went to the door to shoot her from behind?
Medical Examiner: He also inspected her vagina.
Seth Frank: He did WHAT? Why?
Laura Simon: Maybe he didn't remember that he did her.
Seth Frank: A strong burglar with a weak mind. Obviously another open-and-shut case.
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Seth Frank: He strangled her, then he went to the door to shoot her from behind?
Medical Examiner: He also inspected her vagina.
Seth Frank: He did WHAT? Why?
Laura Simon: Maybe he didn't remember that he did her.
Seth Frank: A strong burglar with a weak mind. Obviously another open-and-shut case.
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in The Slanted Screen (2006)
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Soundtrack:
Kate's Theme
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (111 total)
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When I first saw this movie I wasn't expecting anything great. I thought it was just going to be another 'corruption-in-the White-house-plot' but it turned out to be rather different. At the time such films were popular thanks to the Lewinskigate scandal. Absolute Power is much better than other films in the sub-genre like Murder at 1600.
The plot and subject matter are handled with care and maturity and the direction was dignifying to the source material despite having some radical changes near the end. This was the second film I saw that Eastwood had directed (after Perfect World) and I was surprised to see that he is as good at directing as he is acting. Every scene is masterfully edited and framed. Even with a 121 minute running time the film doesn't drag at any point.
I was most impressed with the opening of the movie. Despite the fact that Clint in on screen for the entire first 35 minutes he only has two short lines. I wonder why he didn't cut these out and say nothing until after the opening act as a way of giving the film a peculiar edge. Still, Absolute Power has an opening that has more class and masterful storytelling than most entire movies.
There are three other main actors in the movie. Gene Hackman as the conniving President, Laura Linney as Eastwood's estranged daughter and Ed Harris as the investigating cop. Despite the scope of the film I thought it was brilliant how Eastwood kept the entire story between a handful of characters.
Absolute Power focuses more on these characters and their motivations and feelings rather than giving us ridiculous reasons for set-pieces and shoot-outs. But the movie still has action and it is very well done indeed.
I recommend you see this movie but try to see it in widescreen to fully appreciate Eastwood's great cinematography.