Synopsis

Veteran jewel thief Luther Whitney breaks into a wealthy Washington home and secretly observes a violent encounter involving the president and Secret Service agents. With evidence that could expose the highest levels of government, Luther becomes a target while detective Seth Frank investigates the crime. As the conspiracy closes in, Luther must decide whether to disappear, protect his estranged daughter, or bring the truth into the open.

Factoids & Trivia

• The film adapts David Baldacci's 1996 debut novel. William Goldman wrote the screenplay and later discussed the difficult adaptation process in his memoir *Which Lie Did I Tell?*

• Clint Eastwood reportedly wanted changes to the novel's darker material, including ensuring that sympathetic characters would not be eliminated simply for dramatic effect.

• Principal photography took place from June 3 through August 14, 1996. Although the story is set in Washington, D.C., much of the location work was done in Maryland, particularly around Baltimore and Towson.

• The museum scenes were filmed at Baltimore's Walters Art Museum. The El Greco artwork associated with the opening sequence is "Saint Francis Receiving the Stigmata," which remains part of the museum's collection.

• Washington locations included the Watergate Hotel and the Corcoran Gallery of Art. The production also used an apartment belonging to journalist Christopher Hitchens.

• *Absolute Power* was selected as the closing film of the 1997 Cannes Film Festival.

• The film is regarded as the final screen appearance of E. G. Marshall.