Absence of Malice (1981)

6.9	Rating (68 ratings)
6.9	IMDB rating

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Directed by

Sydney Pollack

Starring (View all)

Paul Newman
Gallagher

Sally Field
Megan

Bob Balaban
Rosen

Melinda Dillon
Teresa

Luther Adler
Malderone

Barry Primus
Waddell

Josef Sommer
McAdam

John Harkins
Davidek

Written by

Kurt Luedtke
(written by)

David Rayfiel
uncredited

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Absence of Malice Videos

Absence of Malice 1981 TV trailer

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Reviews

A good movie

11 years ago at Apr 3 7:40

johanlefourbe

Since I have a weak spot for Sydney Pollack’s work and since I’m a huge fan of Paul Newman, I was really eager to check this flick. And, indeed, I thought it was pretty good. It is basically a decent journalistic thriller, quite reminiscent of ‘All The President’s men’, even though it never reaches the same level as this classic. As usual, Pollack delivered some solid directing and Paul ... read more

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Description: The ethics of the press are roundly slapped around in an entertaining if not always believable drama from director Sydney Pollack. Sally Field is the Miami reporter who is set up to leak information on a dead-end murder investigation. A sneaky government official (a marvelous, rubber-band-spinning Bob Balaban) provides the information that implies liquor distributor Paul Newman is under investigation. When the story runs, it uncorks a legal quagmire that puts the spotlight on presumably innocent lives. As the lawyers explain, the paper's story is accurate, even though it may be untrue. The details of the story are sharply drawn ... (more)

Release date: 18 December 1981
UPC: 043396269590

Tags: Drama (4), Romance (3), Suspense (3), Murder (2), Media (2), Ethics (2), 1981 (2), 1980s (1), 80's (1), HQ (1), Columbia Pictures (1), (1)

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Agent Kermit D. Fonz added this to a list 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Pop Culture Phenomenon Films: 80’s (1473 movies items)

" Megan Carter is a reporter duped into running an untrue story on Michael Gallagher, a suspected racketeer. He has an alibi for the time his crime was allegedly committed—but it involves an innocent party. When he tells Carter the truth and the newspaper runs it, tragedy follows, forcing Carter to face up to the responsibilities of her job when she is confronted by Gallagher. The title refers to one of the defenses against libel defamation, and is used in journalism classes to illustrate th"