Absence of Malice

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Absence of Malice

PG

1982

1h 56m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

82%

Tomatometer

28 Reviews

64%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

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 supposed crime was committed but it involves an innocent party. When she 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.

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Bob Thomas

Associated Press

Absence Of Malice is a well-acted, smoothly paced melodrama that suffers from an illogical premise.

Oct 22, 2018

Full Review

Richard Schickel

TIME Magazine

Absence of Malice does not invalidate All the President's Men. But with entertainment values -- and a moral sense -- every bit as high as that film's, it observes that there is an underside to journalistic gallantry.

Oct 1, 2008

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

A splendidly disturbing look at the power of sloppy reporting to inflict harm on the innocent.

May 26, 2008

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

An intelligent and emotionally charged drama.

Rated: 3.5/4

Aug 17, 2025

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...benefits from its atmospheric visuals and raft of compelling performances...

Rated: 3/4

Jan 22, 2023

Full Review

Larry Vitacco

Philadelphia Gay News

Director Pollack does a fine job at keeping this tense and emotionally charged story on the right track throughout.

Rated: 4/4

May 27, 2020

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Rich O

Newman is as always a brilliant actor and Sydney Pollack does a superb job of directing.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/29/25

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bob c

Dated. But even then, the plot is not easy to follow. Paul N too old for the role and the sailing off into the sunset conclusion is a bit too cheesy. I watched it to the end, so it could not have been quite that bad.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

08/13/25

Full Review

Mikey B

Sally Field and Paul Newman are the heavyweights in this movie about journalistic responsibility. Melinda Dillion does an outstanding job. While the story is effective and draws you in, it lacks that something to put it at next level.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

05/16/25

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Matthew P

I've seen this a number of times - a solid drama about journalistic integrity and ethics given excellent performances by Paul Newman and Sally Field.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/11/25

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CodyZamboni Z

Solid movie about media, greed, and morals. As Paul Newman battles the feds, the DA, and a Florida newspaper reporter, Sally Field. Newman is very effective in an understated performance. Highlight of the movie is a great summation by Wilford Brimley,

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/09/25

Full Review

Alain E

Very well constructed journalism procedural. Objections have been raised regarding whether the events described could happen in reality. We have to assume that some of our fellow citizens already inhabit paradise where district attorneys and other authorities always go by the book and newspapers and other media tell the truth and only the truth. I hope they have not been following the news these past few weeks with the bloodbath in the Department of Justice and all the lawsuits against media. The movie carefully avoids a happy ending but leaves open the possibility that things could improve in the future. Newman and Field are very good and Melinda Dillon portrays very well the individual who is crushed by the system.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/05/25

Full Review

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Sydney Pollack

Director

Paul Newman

Gallagher

Sally Field

Megan

Bob Balaban

Rosen

Melinda Dillon

Teresa

Luther Adler

Malderone

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Synopsis

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 supposed crime was committed but it involves an innocent party. When she 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
Producer: Sydney Pollack
Screenwriter: Kurt Luedtke
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Production Co: Mirage Enterprises, Columbia Pictures Corporation
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 18, 1982, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 1, 2010
Runtime: 1h 56m
Sound Mix: Stereo

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