Absolute Power (1997)

Director: Clint Eastwood

Writers: David Baldacci, William Goldman

Composer: Lennie Niehaus

Starring: Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Ed Harris, Laura Linney, Scott Glenn, Dennis Haysbert, Judy Davis, E.G. Marshall, Melora Hardin, Kenneth Welsh, Penny Johnson, Richard Jenkins

More info: IMDb

Tagline: Corrupts Absolutely.

Plot: Based on the novel by David Baldacci, Absolute Power is about the ruthlessness of people in power. The President believes that everything he does is beyond reproach, including an affair or two. That leads to murder and everyone around him is involved. There is only one witness, a thief named Luther Whitney. They are sure he'll talk, but when? The Secret Service is determined to keep him quiet, but catching a thief isn't always easy.

My rating: 6.5/10

Will I watch it again? No.

Up until re-watching it last night I wouldn't have been able to tell you much about this except some basic plot lines.  I guess that's because it isn't all that great.  It's pretty good up until the third act when it gets a little ridiculous and falls flat by the end.  The performances are fine.  Hackman is always fun to watch and it's great having a cast as good as this one.  Ed Harris' character, Seth, seems like he's been neutered a bit because he really doesn't further the story along much.  Maybe there was more to him in the novel.  While we're at it, maybe the ending was better handled in the novel, too.  The film finale was pretty weak in its credibility.  It's not a bad picture but then it's disappointing considering the talent in front of and behind the camera. So-so thriller.