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Absolute Power

  • 19971997
  • RR
  • 2h 1m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
57K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,808
698
Clint Eastwood and Melora Hardin in Absolute Power (1997)
Trailer
Play trailer0:28
1 Video
58 Photos
ActionCrimeDrama
Career thief Luther Whitney (Clint Eastwood) witnesses a horrific crime involving U.S. President Alan Richmond (Gene Hackman).Career thief Luther Whitney (Clint Eastwood) witnesses a horrific crime involving U.S. President Alan Richmond (Gene Hackman).Career thief Luther Whitney (Clint Eastwood) witnesses a horrific crime involving U.S. President Alan Richmond (Gene Hackman).
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
57K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,808
698
    • Clint Eastwood
    • David Baldacci(book)
    • William Goldman(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Clint Eastwood
    • Gene Hackman
    • Ed Harris
    • Clint Eastwood
    • David Baldacci(book)
    • William Goldman(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Clint Eastwood
    • Gene Hackman
    • Ed Harris
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 197User reviews
    • 81Critic reviews
    • 52Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Videos1

    Absolute Power
    Trailer 0:28
    Watch Absolute Power

    Photos58

    Gene Hackman, Judy Davis, Scott Glenn, and Dennis Haysbert in Absolute Power (1997)
    Judy Davis, Scott Glenn, and Dennis Haysbert in Absolute Power (1997)
    Clint Eastwood and Ed Harris in Absolute Power (1997)
    Clint Eastwood in Absolute Power (1997)
    Clint Eastwood in Absolute Power (1997)
    Gene Hackman in Absolute Power (1997)
    Clint Eastwood in Absolute Power (1997)
    Clint Eastwood and E.G. Marshall in Absolute Power (1997)
    Gene Hackman and Judy Davis in Absolute Power (1997)
    Clint Eastwood in Absolute Power (1997)
    E.G. Marshall in Absolute Power (1997)
    Clint Eastwood and Laura Linney in Absolute Power (1997)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Clint Eastwood
    Clint Eastwood
    • Luther Whitney
    Gene Hackman
    Gene Hackman
    • President Richmond
    Ed Harris
    Ed Harris
    • Seth Frank
    Laura Linney
    Laura Linney
    • Kate Whitney
    Scott Glenn
    Scott Glenn
    • Bill Burton
    Dennis Haysbert
    Dennis Haysbert
    • Tim Collin
    Judy Davis
    Judy Davis
    • Gloria Russell
    E.G. Marshall
    E.G. Marshall
    • Walter Sullivan
    Melora Hardin
    Melora Hardin
    • Christy Sullivan
    Kenneth Welsh
    Kenneth Welsh
    • Sandy Lord
    • (as Ken Welsh)
    Penny Johnson Jerald
    Penny Johnson Jerald
    • Laura Simon
    • (as Penny Johnson)
    Richard Jenkins
    Richard Jenkins
    • Michael McCarty
    Mark Margolis
    Mark Margolis
    • Red Brandsford
    Elaine Kagan
    Elaine Kagan
    • Valerie
    Alison Eastwood
    Alison Eastwood
    • Art Student
    Yau-Gene Chan
    • Waiter
    George Orrison
    • Airport Bartender
    Charles McDaniel
    • Medical Examiner
      • Clint Eastwood
      • David Baldacci(book)
      • William Goldman(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The movie features two of Clint Eastwood's daughters in very minor roles: Kimber Eastwood (born Kimber Tunis) and Alison Eastwood. The casting of Kimber raised a lot of eyebrows since Clint had never spoken publicly of her existence. He still hasn't, actually, but her presence in this film and billing under the surname Eastwood constitutes his acknowledgment.
    • Goofs
      When McCarty is setting up, he sticks his rifle out the window and dry fires it a few times. Anyone who even glances up at the building could easily see him, which hardly seems professional.
    • Quotes

      Luther Whitney: Remember, tomorrow is promised to no one.

    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Dante's Peak/SubUrbia/The Beautician and the Beast/Rosewood/The Whole Wide World (1997)
    • Soundtracks
      Power Waltz
      Composed by Clint Eastwood

      Orchestrated and conducted by Lennie Niehaus

    User reviews197

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    tense powerful crime and brilliance from Eastwood
    The Narrative.

    A consistent plot involving many different types of characters in the form of organised professional robber Whitney (Marvellously portrayed by Eastwood) who is involved in a huge conspiracy involving the very uncomfortable president Hackman.

    Perhaps the story gets too involved at points with a lack of realism. However the film is always tense and engaging, especially the beginning which was definitely one of my all time favourite openings to a crime film. Tense, exciting and with a few twists it presents a realistic view of a robber caught up in what will surely be a huge case.

    The story justifies the genre by being focused upon murders and robberies and adds sentimental value in the form of family and friendship values. Laura Linney (The Truman Show) is terrific as Eastwood's daughter and adds a great sentimental value to a heavy crime film. She is involved in a great twists towards the end which is a must watch.

    The ending surprised me. Although there were great twists, the final few scenes and the way the narrative came to never felt quite justified in my opinion but then again I may have been expecting too much from a film that was consistent and engaging from the beginning. The film is always kept exciting through the tense robbery scenes, character actions and a plot about a man and his power.

    Direction.

    Eastwood's direction is simply breathtaking. The opening sequence where he explores the neatly kept mansion for his robbery is the best moment in the entire film; I was literally on the edge of my seat. Dark, quiet and with a grace that any director would be proud of I held my breathe from start to finish. Heavy critics may argue it conforms too much to an action styled genre with many shots appearing focusing in or around the main priority but I appreciated it for what it was, which was sheer brilliance.

    Eastwood is outstanding in the whole of this film. Not only his ability to pull off a stern ageing character but this direction is also worthy of huge praise.

    watch it if...you enjoy the crime genre and appreciate tense dramatic sequences.

    but its simply just worth watching for the beginning.
    helpful•30
    9
    • Stampsfightclub
    • Dec 17, 2006

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 14, 1997 (United States)
      • United States
      • WarnerBros.com
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Corcoran Gallery of Art - 500 N. 17th Street, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
    • Production companies
      • Castle Rock Entertainment
      • Malpaso Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 2 hours 1 minute
      • Color
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS

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