THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 16, 1997 TAG: 9702140071
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E13 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Movie review
SOURCE: BY MAL VINCENT, MOVIE CRITIC
LENGTH: 65 lines
HAS BILL CLINTON'S Hollywood turned on him?
Last year, before the election, we were seeing a bunch of movies about a young, sunny, incumbent prez who was much in contrast to stodgy ``old'' types. The White House was a youthful place in ``First Kid.'' The dynamic, youthful president stood up to aliens in ``Independence Day'' and fought gossip-mongers who frowned on his romance in ``The American President.''
This year, this none-too-subtle imagery has changed. We're getting movie after movie that pictures a cynical White House - a place steeped in scandal. We've already had Charlie Sheen as a White House aide who discovers a plan to overthrow the government. Soon, we'll have Wesley Snipes investigating a murder at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
The most recent of these government thrillers is ``Absolute Power,'' produced and directed by Clint Eastwood, based on the novel by David Baldacci. Among its characters is a womanizing president (Gene Hackman) who is a specialist in cover-up and double-dealing. He is supported by a strong, conniving woman who is the brains of his schemes (Judy Davis). One of his aides commits suicide.
Any resemblance to any persons living or dead is, according to the lawyers, purely coincidental.
Sure. And the sun won't come up tomorrow, either.
There is some fun in seeing how far ``Absolute Power'' will go.
After a great opening sequence, it never quite gets back up to speed. It asks us to stretch a bit much to believe the rest of it.
Eastwood, looking comfortable with his age and wrinkles, plays a veteran thief who easily breaks into the mansion of a political power (E.G. Marshall, age 80). He's merrily making off with jewels and other goodies when Marshall's young wife returns, with a lover. Hiding behind a two-way mirror Eastwood views rough sex - and worse.
The culprits, who include secret service agent Scott Glenn, never notice him. He gets away with a tell-tale weapon imprinted with incriminating fingerprints and blood. Eastwood's character can't really call the FBI, or the police.
A strong cast keeps the eventual implausibilities playing in such a level-headed manner that we're willing to go along with it. Ed Harris is the investigating officer. Laura Linney (daughter of playwright Romulus Linney, who was once director of the Virginia Museum Theater in Richmond) plays Eastwood's daughter.
The eventual showdown is a little weak, but the opening set-up is intriguing. The most interesting thing about this film is that Hollywood apparently thinks that the movie-going public is now willing to buy a plot about a cynical and corrupt White House. Last year, the plots it was selling were quite different. ILLUSTRATION: COLUMBIA PICTURES
Clint Eastwood portrays Luther Whitney, a veteran thief, in
``Absolute Power.''
MOVIE REVIEW
``Absolute Power''
Cast: Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Judy Davis, Ed Harris, Scott
Glenn, Laura Linney
Director: Clint Eastwood
Screenplay: William Goldman
MPAA rating: R (violence, some language)
Mal's rating: ***