Cheapest Absolute Power: The Screenplay (Applause Books)

Absolute Power, 1997 film

The film begins in a museum. Artists are sketching. Luther enters a bar, then returns home. What will he do at night? How does he know about that secret room? But he hears a slight noise and hides. An older man and a young woman walk into the room. Later there is a struggle. Two guards end the fight. "What the hell is that?" "Nothing we haven't heard before." They clean up the mess. They will blame a burglar. The burglar escapes the house but not detection; he is able to outrun younger men in top shape. Did they get the plate number? The blood spatter tells about the crime. Strangle then shoot her at a distance from behind? Walter Sullivan tells about his relationship with his young wife. Later we see President Alan Richmond. "Tennis elbow."

Luther gets new passports for his departure. The police continue the investigation. Two different bullets? Sullivan hires a private detective. The police list the top burglars in the country, only one is in Washington. Police detective Seth Frank questions Luther about the crime. Sullivan was a backer of the president. Miss Kate Whitney is a Prosecutor but knows little about Luther. Can she help bring him in? Will Luther believe her? The trap is set. Are there snipers waiting? Will the plan fail? Luther planned ahead. He tells his daughter what happened. What will he do? "Its dangerous outside." Miss Russell gets a gift. Will the Secret Service guard Kate Whitney? Will there be a car chase to provide action? Is the hospital room safe? "That was unacceptable." Will Luther confess to Walter Sullivan? What will he do? [The ending is ambiguous.] The news media report the tragedy in the White House. "I'm still here." Will they be just fine?

This, like some other Eastwood movies, seems to run on too long. Would a president go on a Top Secret Mission with only two guards? Would the Secret Service cover up a major felony by the president? No, this is the flaw in the story. A talented and moral burglar who returns millions in loot? Could a Federal Prosecutor have a father who was a career criminal? This is a fantasy that has a hidden agenda. I'm not buying it.Get more detail about Absolute Power: The Screenplay (Applause Books).