Absence of Malice

11/19/19811h 56m

Theatrical (limited) Release (US)

~ In America can a man be guilty until proven innocent? ~

Overview:

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.

Director:

Sydney Pollack

Status:

Released

Language:

English

Buget:

$12,000,000.00

Revenue:

$40,716,963.00

Key words:

murder
prosecutor
newspaper reporter
labor union
legal thriller

Cast

Sally Field

~ as ~

Megan Carter

Paul Newman

~ as ~

Michael Colin Gallagher

Bob Balaban

~ as ~

Elliott Rosen

Melinda Dillon

~ as ~

Teresa Perrone

Luther Adler

~ as ~

Santos Malderone

Barry Primus

~ as ~

Robert Waddell

Josef Sommer

~ as ~

McAdam

John Harkins

~ as ~

Davidek

Don Hood

~ as ~

James A. Quinn

Wilford Brimley

~ as ~

James J. Wells

View full cast & crew

Reviews (1)

Peter McGinn
Written 5 year(s) ago
9
Sidney Pollack has directed a lot of excellent movies but Absence of Malice, one of his lower profile efforts, is my favorite Pollack film. Paul Newman is excellent, of course, and Sally Fields holds her own portraying a reporter who is both ambitious and caring. The supporting cast is also good, especially the late Wilford Brimley as the razor sharp tobacco chewing “aw shucks“ Officer of the court late in the movie.

In a way, this is a thinking man’s revenge film, without the violence. The Paul Newman character attempts to use the ambition and the zeal of those who have targeted him against them. There are traces of humor to be found also, and pockets of romance. I have watched it a few times and probably will again.