Absolute Power

Bomb Rating: 

Frankly, I think this whole "Bridges of Madison County" fiasco hasmade Clint soft. He ought to check into a rest home where he can needlepoint pictures of baby ducks and stop exposing his touchy-feely side in public.

Master thief Luther Whitney (Clint Eastwood) establishes the basis for his heroics in a crucial scene. He's already witnessed the President's (Gene Hackman) involvement with a murder, and the efforts of his chief of staff (Judy Davis) and Secret Service agents (Scott Glenn, Dennis Haysbert) to cover it up. So, he's standing next to a television watching the President console his friend (E.G. Marshall) - the guy whose wife he helped kill. Lo and behold, our master thief reveals that he has, believe it or not, a conscience!

What a great example of cinematic fence-jumping. Where's the Dirty Harry we've all come to know and love? Shoot first, ask questions later, Clint. Remember? Suddenly, Clint has got to steady his moral compass. Of course, if he doesn't the film is over, because he's about to leave the country. Let's see: leave the country with millions of dollars, or risk life and limb to right the moral scales of the universe?

Not surprisingly, as Luther uses a little creative sleuthing to solve the country's problems while a cop (Ed Harris) is on his tail, he's also got to make things right with his estranged daughter (Laura Linney). This is because all criminals ever have is estranged relatives, and settling familial problems is always one of their primary goals in life -- especially when they're being chased by men with very accurate firearms.

Frankly, I think this whole "Bridges of Madison County" fiasco has made Clint soft. He ought to check into a rest home where he can needlepoint pictures of baby ducks and stop exposing his touchy-feely side in public.