Absence of Malice( 1981)

TV-MADramaRomance

66%

User
Score

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.

Top Billed Cast

Sally Field
Megan Carter
Paul Newman
Michael Colin Gallagher
Bob Balaban
Elliott Rosen
Melinda Dillon
Teresa Perrone
Luther Adler
Santos Malderone
Barry Primus
Robert Waddell
Josef Sommer
McAdam
John Harkins
Davidek
Don Hood
James A. Quinn
Wilford Brimley
James J. Wells
Arnie Ross
Eddie Frost
Barbara Keegan
News Staff
Barry Hober
News Staff
Phanie Napoli
Nickie
Shelley Spurlock
Sarah Wylie
Shawn McAllister
Hood
Joe Petrullo
Hood
William Kerwin
Walker
Oswaldo Calvo
John
Sharon Anderson
Secretary
Ilse Earl
Nun
John DiSanti
Longshoreman
Rachel Jacobs
Clardy Malugen
Donna
Jody Wilson
Raggedy Lady
Pat Sullivan
Meersma
Bill Hindman
Priest
Patricia Matzdorff
Susan
Ted Bartsch
Beverage Manager
Sugar Ray Mann
Copy Boy
Richard O'Barry
Driver
Chuck Lupo
Dock Boy
Laurie V. Logan
McAdam's Assistant
Gary Van Auken
Marshall
Diane Zolten
Reporter
Kathy Suergiu
Reporter
Jeff Gillen
Reporter
John Archie
FBI Agent
Timothy Hawkins
FBI Agent
Ricardo Márquez
FBI Agent

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Review 1Discussion

A review by Peter McGinn

Written by Peter McGinn on Sat Sep 19 2020

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...