Wolff rating: GOOD
Plot summary: Thief witnesses a high-ranking government official covering up a murder.
Biased, pithy comments: Although this a is a cliche-ridden thriller (golly, I've never seen Hackman act as a corrupt, gruff dictator before, nor Eastwood as a lone wolf fighting for justice), it works on many levels. There are a few chases, a few tense moments, but the real action comes between the father and daughter---their relationship is nuanced and complex, giving us a story about people we care about. As such, this makes for a tight film that packs a nice emotional punch, even as it explores not *political* corruption but the ugly corruption of the powerful.
How many times I have seen it: x1
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Ed Harris, Laura Linney, Scott Glenn.
Directed by: Clint Eastwood