Fails to connect. Pacing is sluggish, set-pieces lack confidence & plot falls apart under scrutiny. If there's interest to be had it's in the heft of the film's rich thematic subtext; the air of political corruption & the disillusionment with modern justice exploiting those without power capture the (pre-Clinton scandal) zeitgeist. Early scenes establish a theme of voyeurism & objectification, but this goes nowhere.
A rare misstep from Eastwood, all the more surprising with such stellar talent as Gene Hackman, Ed Harris Laura Linny, Eastwood himself and a script by William Goldman. Despite engaging performances, the script is a mess with plot holes abound and zero tension in this supposed political thriller. Hackman (a personal favorite) is sadly miscast.
3/10
The first half hour of Absolute Power features a tense atmosphere that provides for a compelling viewing. However, what comes next is a mixture of police investigation/man on the run/family dynamics tropes that never quite come together is satisfying fashion, leading to a frustrating and anti-climatic ending. There are moments throughout that elevate the narrative, but all in all, a disappointment.
There are many cinematic experiences I will cherish deeply. Surprisingly, a 15-minute sex scene with reaction shots of Clint Eastwood won't join the list. Somewhat enjoyable, though mostly unfocused.
Entertaining but ultimately frivolous. It has one of those "sum-up-in-4-sentences-in-an-elevator" plots, which I despise. So in that spirit, the plot summed up in the immortal words of Tech N9ne: "Power the evil way is power the people say / Rebel yellin' with felons and my pockets are swellin' / This beats from Berlin Germany throwin' up Mizzizzy / So ain't no other city concerning me."
Grossa delusione. Una buona idea di partenza ed un ottimo cast non sono stati supportati da una sceneggiatura debolissima ( dopo 30 secondi lo scoprono e il ruolo della figlia è incomprensibile); ci sono molte scene forzate con un montaggio che non contribuisce ad un fluido svolgersi degli eventi. La tensione è zero ed il finale è imbarazzante. Una stecca nella fantastica carriera di Mr Eastwood.