IMDb > Absence of Malice (1981)
Absence of Malice
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Absence of Malice (1981) More at IMDbPro »

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Absence of Malice (1981) -- Open-ended Trailer from Columbia Tristar
Absence of Malice (1981) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)

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Overview

User Rating:
6.8/10   4,332 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 13% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer:
Kurt Luedtke (written by)
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Contact:
View company contact information for Absence of Malice on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
18 December 1981 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Suppose you picked up this morning's newspaper and your life was a front page headline... And everything they said was accurate... But none of it was true. more
Plot:
Michael Colin Gallagher is the son of a long dead Mafia boss who is a simple liquor warehouse owner... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 4 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(2 articles)
Paul Newman: 1925 - 2008
 (From IMDb News. 27 September 2008, 8:49 AM, PDT)

Stars Pay Tribute To Pollack
 (From WENN. 27 May 2008, 5:15 AM, PDT)

User Comments:
The Fourth Estate on trial more (52 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Paul Newman ... Gallagher

Sally Field ... Megan
Bob Balaban ... Rosen
Melinda Dillon ... Teresa
Luther Adler ... Malderone
Barry Primus ... Waddell
Josef Sommer ... McAdam
John Harkins ... Davidek
Don Hood ... Quinn
Wilford Brimley ... Wells
Arnie Ross ... Eddie Frost
Anna Marie Napoles ... Nickie

Shelley Spurlock ... Sarah Wylie

Shawn McAllister ... Hood 1
Joe Petrullo ... Hood 2
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Additional Details

Runtime:
116 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Paul Newman and director Sydney Pollack were both gourmet chefs and had a running culinary competition throughout filming with Sally Field as the judge. Though a good sport at first, Sally grew tired of eating gourmet night after night, and began begging off her judging duties in favor of hamburgers and omelettes at local diners. more
Goofs:
Factual errors: 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. more
Quotes:
Michael Colin Gallagher: Why aren't you married?
Megan Carter: How do you know I'm not?
Michael Colin Gallagher: I don't see a ring.
Megan Carter: Haven't you heard of women's lib?
Michael Colin Gallagher: Most of them are ugly.
Megan Carter: Is that supposed to be a compliment?
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Movie Connections:

FAQ

How does Megan get wind of the supposedly "secret" investigation of Michael Gallagher?
Why is Michael Gallagher under investigation?
How does the movie end?
more
5 out of 7 people found the following comment useful.
The Fourth Estate on trial, 23 February 2006
7/10
Author: krorie from Van Buren, Arkansas

Paul Newman and Sally Field, though somewhat opposites both in their roles as Michael Colin Gallagher and Megan Carter respectively and in real Hollywood life, mesh and make believable lovers. Megan tells Michael that she is 30 something and doesn't need courting to play in the hay. Michael retorts, "Maybe I do," and drives away. Megan winds up somewhat of a failure both as a newspaper hound and as a liberated female. Then along comes Wilford Brimley in a bit part and runs away with the show. That's saying a lot since the well chosen cast gives it all they've got including ace jobs by Bob Balaban and Melinda Dillon.

The essence of the film is "What is the nature of truth?" What we read in the paper ain't necessarily so. Jibes are poked at bureaucrats too who certainly have problems determining what is truth. As long as the paperwork looks good then so goes the world. With the Horatio Alger success formula still around in the world of big government and big business, empire builders are a dime a dozen. Usually their asses are saved by cover ups and fall guys. In "Absence of Malice" the innocent victim outsmarts the bureaucrats and the Fourth Estate to bring the house of cards down, certainly an anomaly in the 21th century as it was in 1981, maybe even more so.

Admittedly, the film becomes too preachy at times which not only grates on the nerves but also slows the picture down. Yet the well-written script and Sydney Pollack's knowing direction keep it from becoming a total disaster. Not on the level of Pollack's previous "Three Days of the Condor" or his next feature "Tootsie," "Absence of Malice" still packs a wallop.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Absence of Malice (1981)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
A better ending. What do you think? (spoilers) chadbellan
That was a bad ending (spoilers) weejogs
6.8? azumahh
viewability? deaston
Wilford Brimley was great bstar56
Is this movie the one I'm thinking? jtrinc
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