Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- tense
- politically cynical
- sardonic
- late night thriller viewing
- 1990s crime movie marathon
What critics said
Critics found Clint Eastwood's direction and laconic performance effective, but broadly agreed that the film's preposterous plotting undermines its polished political-thriller framework.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
President Alan Richmond uses the authority of the White House and the Secret Service to suppress a murder witness and protect his private misconduct.
Luther Whitney is an expert thief whose ability to evade capture becomes his main defense against the Secret Service.
Whitney is the sole witness to a presidentially connected murder, making his silence or testimony the central source of suspense.
The White House, Secret Service apparatus, and Washington political environment frame the conspiracy through controlled, official-looking settings.
Films like Absolute Power, and why
The Pelican Brief
shared political corruption, presidential conspiracy, and paranoid thriller structure
Enemy of the State
shared government conspiracy, morally compromised institutions, and tense crime investigation
The Manchurian Candidate
shared political thriller atmosphere, assassination stakes, and lone-witness suspense
Movie Details
- Director
- Clint Eastwood
- Release Date
- 1997-02-14
- Runtime
- 121 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (1300)
Cast
- Clint Eastwood
- Gene Hackman
- Ed Harris
- Laura Linney
- Judy Davis
- Scott Glenn
- Dennis Haysbert
- E.G. Marshall
- Melora Hardin
- Kenneth Welsh
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Absolute Power about?
- A master thief becomes the lone witness to a presidential murder and must outmaneuver the Secret Service before power erases the truth.
- What is Absolute Power like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Absolute Power as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Absolute Power violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Absolute Power as moderate.
- What did critics think of Absolute Power?
- Critics found Clint Eastwood's direction and laconic performance effective, but broadly agreed that the film's preposterous plotting undermines its polished political-thriller framework.
- Which films are like Absolute Power?
- Films with a similar feel include The Pelican Brief, Enemy of the State, and The Manchurian Candidate.
- How long is Absolute Power?
- Absolute Power runs 121 minutes.
- Where can I watch Absolute Power?
- In United States, Absolute Power is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand.
