Absolute Power

Based on the book by David Baldacci, Absolute Power follows aging thief Luther Whitney (Clint Eastwood) as he witnesses a horrific crime involving no less than the President of the United States (Gene Hackman’s Richmond) – with the narrative detailing Luther’s ongoing attempts at staying one step ahead of a dogged detective (Ed Harris’ Seth Frank) and several tenacious assassins. Filmmaker Eastwood has infused Absolute Power with a predictably deliberate sensibility that fits the material quite well, ultimately, as the picture boasts a progressively absorbing vibe that’s heightened by a series of superb performances – with Eastwood’s rock-solid turn as the agreeable protagonist matched by a fantastic supporting cast that includes Scott Glenn, Laura Linney, and Judy Davis. (It’s undoubtedly Hackman, cast as a serious smarmy Commander in Chief, who walks away with the title of MVP, no contest.) The engaging hybrid of slow-moving drama and gripping political thriller that ensues contains plenty of elements designed to keep the viewer interested (and guessing), which does, in the end, confirm Absolute Power‘s place as a top-notch adaptation that delivers the goods.

***1/2 out of ****