Clint Eastwood is a big-time burgular who, during a job, witnesses a murder involving an important political figure -- say, a very important political figure -- played by Gene Hackman in another of his stupid mean guy roles. Ed Harris is the investigator assigned to the case. The film is tense and, for the most part, expertly staged. (A scene where Harris questions Eastwood and another where Hackman dances the waltz are quite impressive.) It thankfully builds to a climax devoid of the usual Hollywood action cliches. While not great, this Eastwood-directed espionage thriller is very good and makes but a single major misstep -- an out-of-character, anti-heroic act that takes place in a hospital and backfires in its play for cheap revenge thrills.