Film Snail

6.6

Absence of Malice

PG·1981·116m

Drama

Romance

Drama

Romance

Summary

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.

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

Crew

Director

Sydney Pollack

Writer

Kurt Luedtke

Writer

David Rayfiel

Reviews

narrator56

September 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 them. There are traces of humor to be found also, and pockets of romance. I have watched it a few times and probably will again.