IMDb > Absence of Malice (1981)
Absence of Malice
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Absence of Malice (1981) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 27 | slideshow) Videos (see all 3 NEW)
Absence of Malice (1981) -- Michael Colin Gallagher is the son of a long dead Mafia boss who is a simple liquor warehouse owner. Frustrated in his attempt to solve a murder of a union head, a prosecutor leaks a false story that Gallagher is a target of the investigation, hoping that he will tell them something for protection.
Absence of Malice (1981) -- Open-ended Trailer from Columbia Tristar
Absence of Malice (1981) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
6.8/10   4,300 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 3% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Sydney Pollack
Writer:
Kurt Luedtke (written by)
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Absence of Malice on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
18 December 1981 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama | Romance more
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:
more
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
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
116 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Stereo
Filming Locations:
Coral Gables, Florida, USA more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Luther Adler's last film. more
Goofs:
Factual errors: Megan sends Gallagher a copy of the front page of the next morning's daily newspaper at least 12 hours before the edition even went to print. In reality, the front page is never laid out until the last minute before deadline to insure the most current news. more
Quotes:
Megan Carter: I am free every night this week but Friday.
Michael Colin Gallagher: How about Friday?
Megan Carter: Okay!
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Time Chasers (#9.21)" (1997) more

FAQ

How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
A Note Regarding Spoilers
How does Megan get wind of the supposedly "secret" investigation of Michael Gallagher?
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.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (52 total)

Message Boards

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

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The China Syndrome Fury Tension The Galloping Ghost Midnight Court
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Drama section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.