CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY.
During a burglary, veteran Luther Whitney (Clint Eastwood) becomes an accidental witness to the U.S. President (Gene Hackman) trying to seduce a younger woman, which ends in her death. One of the author’s most sensational thrillers becomes a fairly intriguing movie in Eastwood’s hands, primarily a chance for himself to deliver a charming performance as the aging thief who’s really a man of honor. Now that’s he’s chased by both cops and the President’s henchmen, it turns into an opportunity for him to mend fences with his daughter. A good cast and several moments of tension compensate for the weak finale.
1997-U.S. 120 min. Color. Directed by Clint Eastwood. Screenplay: William Goldman. Novel: David Baldacci. Cast: Clint Eastwood (Luther Whitney), Gene Hackman (Alan Richmond), Ed Harris (Seth Frank), Laura Linney, Judy Davis, E.G. Marshall… Scott Glenn, Richard Jenkins.
Quote: “I’ve got to go have my pacemaker checked, it has been so exciting talking to you.” (Eastwood to Harris)