Clint Eastwood directed and starred in this 1997 political thriller.
But how does it stand up thirteen years on?
But Goldman had pedigree.
Surely a page-turner from an ex-lawyer would be chicken feed to one so experienced?
Absolute Poweris the hardest screenplay I have ever written, confesses Goldman in the chapters first line.
The problem, it turned out, was too many characters.
Sixteen major ones and not a hero to root for among them.
The thief who stumbles upon the storys murder, Luther, dies halfway through.
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Until Clint Eastwood turned up.
He wanted to play Luther, he said.
And he wanted him to live.
Because, when youve got Eastwood, you write for Eastwood.
Its a highly implausible story, but Eastwood handles it with a respect and diligence it doesnt always deserve.
From there the pursuit begins.
But, Goldman gets bogged down in Baldaccis overabundance of characters.
Theres little time to develop any of them properly, and Goldmans lament too many characters!
comes back to haunt him.
Some of them have their moments.
And Ed Harris plays the determined cop with more enthusiasm than it deserves.
Others are left stranded, though, saddled with a pulpy excess ported over wholesale from the book.
Holding it all together is Eastwood, the director, and Eastwood, the star.
Absolute Poweris not a great movie, he confesses.
True, but its still a very enjoyable one.
The Disc
Nothing, not even a trailer in extras department.
So, the only draw here is the picture, which isnt all that.
If youve got the standard DVD, theres nothing here to warrant an upgrade.
If youre an Eastwood fan looking to add to your collection, its worth a look.
The Film:
Absolute Poweris out now andavailable from the Den Of Geek Store.
Rating:
3 out of 5
