                                ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times

DATE: Saturday, February 15, 1997            TAG: 9702190028
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 12   EDITION: METRO 
                                             TYPE: MOVIE REVIEW 
SOURCE: MIKE MAYO CORRESPONDENT

OLD-FASHIONED SUSPENSE FROM 'POWER'

"Absolute Power" is a deliberately paced thriller with a dry sense of humor. Curiously, it combines elements from two of director-star Clint Eastwood's recent films, "In the Line of Fire" and "The Bridges of Madison County," with mature characters and a plot that depends more on suspense than razzle-dazzle technique.

Luther Whitney (Eastwood) is a professional thief who chooses the wrong night to rob Walter Sullivan's (E.G. Marshall) mansion. Without giving away the entire plot, Luther witnesses a crime involving the president of the United States (Gene Hackman), his chief of staff (Judy Davis) and two Secret Service agents (Scott Glenn and Dennis Haysbert).

The other key players are Luther's estranged daughter, Kate (Laura Linney), and Seth Frank (Ed Harris), a Virginia police detective in charge of a murder investigation.

The long opening sequence is a deftly handled bit of business, reminiscent in some ways of Hitchcock's "Dial M for Murder." The rest of the film doesn't maintain that level of involvement, but writer William Goldman does his usual solid work on David Baldacci's best-selling novel.

Compared to most of today's hyperactive, pyrotechnic thrillers, this one is positively sedate. Gunplay and action sequences are underplayed. Instead, director Eastwood lets his cast of seasoned character actors carry the load. They're up to the job, but Davis steals all of her scenes. Most of the comedy comes into play through her character, and she has a wonderfully dry delivery. Note her waltz scene with Hackman.

The film won't pass any strict logic tests or reality checks - few suspense stories can - but it's not offensively silly, either.

"Absolute Power" is unapologetically old-fashioned and unashamed of its characters' wrinkles.

Abosolute Power ***

A Columbia TriStar release playing at Salem Valley 8 and Valley View 6. 120 minutes. Rated R for violence, sexual content, some strong language.

LENGTH: Short :   47 lines
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO:  Clint Eastwood in "Absolute Power." color.

by CNB