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IMDbPro

Absence of Malice

  • 19811981
  • PGPG
  • 1h 56m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
13K
YOUR RATING
Absence of Malice (1981)
Home Video Trailer from Columbia Tristar
Play trailer2:03
2 Videos
50 Photos
  • Drama
  • Romance
  • Thriller
When a prosecutor leaks a false story that a liquor warehouse owner is involved in the murder of a union head, the man's life begins to unravel.When a prosecutor leaks a false story that a liquor warehouse owner is involved in the murder of a union head, the man's life begins to unravel.When a prosecutor leaks a false story that a liquor warehouse owner is involved in the murder of a union head, the man's life begins to unravel.
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
13K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Sydney Pollack
  • Writers
    • Kurt Luedtke
    • David Rayfiel(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Paul Newman
    • Sally Field
    • Bob Balaban
Top credits
  • Director
    • Sydney Pollack
  • Writers
    • Kurt Luedtke
    • David Rayfiel(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Paul Newman
    • Sally Field
    • Bob Balaban
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 131User reviews
    • 28Critic reviews
    • 64Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 3 Oscars
      • 3 wins & 8 nominations total

    Videos2

    Absence of Malice
    Trailer 2:03
    Absence of Malice
    Sneak Previews Season 4 Episode 12
    Video 29:51
    Sneak Previews Season 4 Episode 12

    Photos50

    Wilford Brimley in Absence of Malice (1981)
    Paul Newman in Absence of Malice (1981)
    Paul Newman and Luther Adler in Absence of Malice (1981)
    Absence of Malice (1981)
    Sally Field in Absence of Malice (1981)
    Melinda Dillon in Absence of Malice (1981)
    "Absebce Of Malice," Sally Field & Paul Newman.
    Absence of Malice (1981)
    Absence of Malice (1981)
    Paul Newman and Sally Field in Absence of Malice (1981)
    Sally Field in Absence of Malice (1981)
    Sally Field in Absence of Malice (1981)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Paul Newman
    Paul Newman
    • Gallagheras Gallagher
    Sally Field
    Sally Field
    • Meganas Megan
    Bob Balaban
    Bob Balaban
    • Rosenas Rosen
    Melinda Dillon
    Melinda Dillon
    • Teresaas Teresa
    Luther Adler
    Luther Adler
    • Malderoneas Malderone
    Barry Primus
    Barry Primus
    • Waddellas Waddell
    Josef Sommer
    Josef Sommer
    • McAdamas McAdam
    John Harkins
    John Harkins
    • Davidekas Davidek
    Don Hood
    Don Hood
    • Quinnas Quinn
    Wilford Brimley
    Wilford Brimley
    • Wellsas Wells
    Arnie Ross
    • Eddie Frostas Eddie Frost
    Phanie Napoli
    • Nickieas Nickie
    • (as Anna Marie Napoles)
    Shelley Spurlock
    • Sarah Wylieas Sarah Wylie
    Shawn McAllister
    Shawn McAllister
    • Hood 1as Hood 1
    Joe Petrullo
    • Hood 2as Hood 2
    William Kerwin
    William Kerwin
    • Walkeras Walker
    • (as Rooney Kerwin)
    Oswaldo Calvo
    • Johnas John
    Clardy Malugen
    • Donnaas Donna
    • Director
      • Sydney Pollack
    • Writers
      • Kurt Luedtke
      • David Rayfiel(uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      According to writer Kurt Luedtke in the DVD special feature The Story Behind Absence of Malice (2004), the film's story was inspired by the media law legal case of Times v Sullivan [i.e., The New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, 376 U.S. 254 (1964)]. Luedtke summarized this case by saying that American libel laws, due to this case precedent, indicate that truth is not always necessary to journalism in situations involving public figures. As such, a newspaper can effectively make a bad mistake and hurt a public figure and the latter cannot always collect damages for it.
    • Goofs
      The union workers who struck Michael told him that if their union cards were pulled they would not be able to work anywhere. Florida is a right to work state and you don't need to have a union card to work. They would be considered "scabs" but they would be able to work at any dock in Miami.
    • Quotes

      James A. Wells, Assistant U.S. Attorney General: Now we'll talk all day if you want to. But, come sundown, there's gonna be two things true that ain't true now. One is that the United States Department of Justice is goin' to know what in the good Christ - e'scuse me, Angie - is goin' on around here. And the other's I'm gonna have somebody's ass in muh briefcase.

    • Connections
      Featured in The Making of 'Absence of Malice' (1982)

    User reviews131

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Requiem for two heavyweights...
    I taped this lauded 80's movie months ago and prompted by the recent death of Paul Newman, finally made time to watch it, only realising as I did so that its director too, Sydney Pollack, has also lately taken his last bow. The film is about the corrupting power of trial by newspaper to damage and sometimes destroy innocent lives and in this particular case of one man's courage and ingenuity in fighting back, even for what seems in the end a Pyrrhic victory against his malefactors. Pollack's favoured ouevre certainly seemed to be contemporary thrillers, often positing a faceless establishment body, personified by dehumanised no-names and their usually destructive oppression of innocent individuals. Although dated by things like contemporary fashions and background music, (no-one surely can defend this era for its style and music!) these films (and there were loads of them in the mid 70's and early 80's - "All the President's Men", "Dog Day Afternoon", "The Verdict", to name but a few, often directed by the two Sydneys, Pollack and Lumet, and peopled by acting heavyweights like Pacino, Redford, Newman, Winger and Fonda) represent a largely neglected sub-genre of quality movie-making rarely seen today. The film at hand here, "Absence of Malice" occasionally lacks narrative drive and suspense but makes up for that with everyday realism, for example drawing in themes on disparate subjects like abortion and trade-union relations. With Pollack's usual high-standard cinematography, particularly his naturally-lit interiors and indeed exteriors, you always feel that this fictional story could actually be happening here and now. It's helped by good dialogue and the skills of the ensemble acting cast. Newman walks away with the acting plaudits, effortlessly drawing the viewer's sympathy and admiration although I was very impressed by Melinda Dillon's underplaying of her part as Newman's "close personal friend", caught in the cross-fire and also Wilford Brimley's cameo as the State Department official who effectively acts as judge and jury at the mini-courtroom climax. Sally Field, who was briefly, at this time, the it-girl for modern-day character parts, lacks some heft alongside the predominantly male cast and at times plays the part more like Jean Arthur than Faye Dunaway. You can also see her acting at key points, particularly in the scene when Newman loses his temper and almost assaults her. Despite a brief (perhaps unnecessary) romantic liaison between the two leads, the film ends satisfyingly with an enigmatic shot of Newman sailing (literally) into the sunset leaving a chastened Field behind. In conclusion then, an intelligent, thought-provoking, well-structured and plotted movie, its main theme still relevant today in tabloid-land.
    helpful•5
    2
    • Lejink
    • Oct 3, 2008

    FAQ6

    • What is 'Absence of Malice' about?
    • Is "Absence of Malice" based on a book?
    • What does the title "Absence of Malice" mean?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 18, 1981 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Die Sensationsreporterin
    • Filming locations
      • Coral Gables, Florida, USA
    • Production companies
      • Columbia Pictures
      • Mirage Enterprises
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $12,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $40,716,963
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $97,667
      • Nov 22, 1981
    • Gross worldwide
      • $40,716,963
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 56 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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