In this slick political thriller, an emotionally disconnected, aesthetically refined master thief is out for one final score before retiring to his treasure-lined hideaway. But during a robbery at a mansion near Washington, he witnesses a bizarre sex murder involving the President of the United States. As the president's slimy handlers frantically cover the crime up, the career criminal--and only outside witness--becomes the Secret Service's prime target. His relationship with his estranged daughter hangs in the balance. Adapted from the best-selling novel by David Baldacci.
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.
When we first encounter Luther Whitney (Clint Eastwood) in ABSOLUTE POWER, he is sitting in an art gallery sketching hands and eyes from paintings in one of those slow, silent moments characteristic of an Eastwood-directed film. Whitney, it turns out, is a professional thief, and when he breaks into a massive house with walls covered in art, we expect him to begin snaring the paintings. Instead, he finds a walk-in vault where he begins clearing out jewels, coins and cash. At that moment, you may be tempted to break into a slight smile, impressed that Eastwood has merely fleshed out his character under the guise of plot development. Perhaps, you think, this won't be just another plot-driven conspiracy thriller. Perhaps three-dimensional characters are going to make it something special.
