Absence of Malice
In America, can a man be guilty until proven innocent? Suppose you picked up this morning's paper and your life was front page headlines... And everything they said was accurate but not true. This is the dilemma that must be faced in this timely drama about the incredible power of the press.
Michael Gallaher reads in the paper that he is the subject of a criminal investigation. Suddenly, everything he has ever worked for is in jeopardy. He confronts the author, Megan Carter, a relentless investigative reporter. Together they learn that the story was purposely leaked to Carter as part of a plot by the chief investigator. Gallaher's life hangs in the balance as he and Carter try to uncover the truth.
Member Reviews
A Quality Film - c4th
The Sydney Pollack film, Absence of Malice, starring Paul Newman and Sally Field is a fabulous morality piece that explores the power of the press and the responsibility of journalists to consider the consequences of the stories they run. Superb script writing, magnificent acting from a talented cast, and an energizing musical score all formulate a masterpiece worthy of its numerous awards and three Oscar nominations.
Paul Newman plays Michael Gallagher, the son of a crime lord who has remained clear of the criminality in his family. Sally Field plays Megan Carter, a young reporter and writer of a story causing a young woman to commit suicide. The two become involved as Megan investigates Gallagher’s involvement in the disappearance of a racketeer that the D.A. office has been unable to solve. Both along with Melinda Dillon (suicide victim) received recognition for their performances in the form of major nominations.
Although it received only nominations and no awards in the writing category, actors were blessed with an amazing script. Dialogue between characters is intellectual and thought provoking. It addresses how the press dodges responsibility by playing with subtle distinctions behind terms like truth and accuracy. A resonating excerpt from the words of the chief editor provides the title for the movie.
"The truth of your story is irrelevant. We have no knowledge the story is false. Therefore, we are absent malice."
Be sure to see this quality piece of cinema from one of the most respected producer/directors in Hollywood.Revenge without bullets - bUgs1
When you watch the theatrical trailer of ABSENCE OF MALICE, you are lead to think that this movie describes Paul Newman's revenge and will contain a lot of violent scenes. This is not true. In fact, has a trailer ever described accurately a movie ?
ABSENCE OF MALICE is, in the first place, an "actors" movie, with two stars of 1981 : Paul Newman and Sally Field. The secondary roles are also well written and interesting. The movie belongs to the category of moral movies and tries to defend these two ideas :
- Things and people are not always what or who they seem to be.
- The newspapers should have the duty to verify their sources before printing anything.
The treatment of the subject is well done, the script being sometimes too weak. But Sydney Pollack, with this material, was able to present a conventional but still watchable movie.Something to Talk About - brotherbear
A good movie , worth watching.
The movie is interesting in a way that I didn't expect it to be. It's a discussion of journalism, ethics and
even "THE TRUTH". The question, "What is the truth?" comes up in the film on more than one occassion and it's
entertaining to watch the characters try to find the answer.
Newman and Field don't ring any bells here: there is no acting tour de force and there are no heart wrenching
speeches from anybody. Come to think of it there isn't even any particular scene in the movie that will
stay with you for any longer than 30 minutes after the end of the show. The best character in the whole thing
is the Asst. US Attorney General played by Wilford Brimley, the Oatmeal guy -- he's on screen for about 10 minutes but he does
the right thing and he knows the right way to do it. The problem with making movies that are true to life is that life is can be dreadfully boring sometimes. Sometimes I feel like watching a movie where some people are wearing white hats and other people are wearing black hats and this isn't one of those movies. You can't really tell what colour hat anybody is wearing.
OK, I don't sound too excited about it but it's just that kind of movie: it won't excite you but you won't feel
like you've been cheated either and if you and your wife or partner or friends are in a talkative mood
it'll give you something to talk about.
Member Reviews
Read All...
A Quality Film - c4th
The Sydney Pollack film, Absence of Malice, starring Paul Newman and Sally Field is a fabulous morality piece that explores the power of the press and the responsibility of journalists to consider the consequences of the stories they run. Superb script writing, ...Revenge without bullets - bUgs1
When you watch the theatrical trailer of ABSENCE OF MALICE, you are lead to think that this movie describes Paul Newman's revenge and will contain a lot of violent scenes. This is not true. In fact, has a trailer ever described accurately a movie ?
ABSENCE ...Something to Talk About - brotherbear
A good movie , worth watching.
The movie is interesting in a way that I didn't expect it to be. It's a discussion of journalism, ethics and
even "THE TRUTH". The question, "What is the truth?" comes up in the film on more than one occassion and it's ...