IMDb > Absolute Power (1997)
Absolute Power
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Absolute Power (1997) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 42 | slideshow) Videos (see all 4)
Absolute Power (1997) -- HV post
Absolute Power (1997) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)
IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
6.5/10   18,462 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 12% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Clint Eastwood
Writers (WGA):
David Baldacci (book)
William Goldman (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for Absolute Power on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
14 February 1997 (USA) more
Genre:
Crime | Drama | Thriller more
Tagline:
Corrupts Absolutely.
Plot:
A career thief witnesses a horrific crime involving the U.S. President. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
1 nomination more
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)
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
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for violence, sexuality and language.
Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parents
Runtime:
121 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English | Spanish
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby Digital | SDDS
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:
Baltimore, Maryland, USA more
Company:
Castle Rock Entertainment more

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. more
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. more
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.
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in The Slanted Screen (2006) more
Soundtrack:
Kate's Theme more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.

User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
22 out of 25 people found the following comment useful.
Quite good, rather., 15 June 2000
8/10
Author: Shawn Watson (gator_macready@yahoo.com) from The Underverse

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.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (111 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Absolute Power (1997)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
24 NiceGuyTommy
I'm confused about how the movie ended alcatab
Ridiculous Plot dmiller2000
Hot Mistress cdguerra-1
The chair in the vault? SofaKingFresh
How come he did not recognize the president earlier? sunshinde
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Presumed Innocent Touch of Evil Strangers on a Train La hija del caníbal A History of Violence
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Crime section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.