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Movies / On DVD / Absence of Malice
Absence of Malice

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Absence of Malice (1981)

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Reviews Counted:22

Fresh:18

Rotten:4

Average Rating:6.6/10

Runtime: 1 hr 57 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: While investigating the death of a local union leader, an ambitious young reporter (Sally Field as Megan) becomes involved in a dangerous triangle of love, deceit, and national espionage. After all... While investigating the death of a local union leader, an ambitious young reporter (Sally Field as Megan) becomes involved in a dangerous triangle of love, deceit, and national espionage. After all story leads fall through, shady government agent Rosen cajoles Megan into befriending financier, Gallagher (Paul Newman), a man with filial ties to the Mafia. Becoming Gallagher's confidant, Megan conducts a secret investigation of his life and is soon convinced that Gallagher is involved with the murder. Megan then publishes an article containing a staggering amount of incriminating evidence against him. Written by American journalist Kurt Luedtke, ABSENCE OF MALICE takes an honest look at the world of journalism. Its dialogue and characters are of the upmost realism. Newman delivers a riveting performance as the innocent "patsy," fingered by the government. Director Pollack and writer Kurt Luedtke team up again four years after this film to script the epic OUT OF AFRICA. [More]

Starring: Paul Newman, Sally Field, Melinda Dillon, Bob Balaban

Starring: Paul Newman, Sally Field, Melinda Dillon, Bob Balaban

Director: Sydney Pollack

Director: Sydney Pollack

[See More Credits]

Reviews for Absence of Malice

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

Impeccably liberal in its orientation to 'issues,' his avoids the excesses of Stanley Kramer-like telegraphy, only to come up looking aesthetically wet.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

gripping little thriller

comment Comment
08/26/05
Rich Cline
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall

Superbly observed.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
05/24/03
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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.

Full Review Source: TIME Magazine | comment Comment
10/01/08
Richard Schickel
Richard Schickel
TIME Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A solid, absorbing drama.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
05/26/08
TV Guide's Movie Guide
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
05/26/08
Variety Staff
Variety Staff
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Well-meaning liberal message story.

Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
02/28/07
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

An offensive film to intelligent viewers that will particularly disturb women since the journalist played by Sally Field is not only irresponsible and immoral but also not very bright.

Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com | comment Comment
02/03/06
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

comment Comment
10/09/05
Chuck O'Leary
Chuck O'Leary
Fantastica Daily

I not only liked this movie despite its factual and ethical problems -- I'm not even so sure they matter so much to most viewers.

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
10/23/04
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

No review available.

comment Comment
07/25/04
Linda Cook
Linda Cook
Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)

Além de errar ao não condenar os absurdos cometidos pela repórter vivida por Field, o filme inclui um romance forçado e implausível. Definitivamente, não envelheceu bem.

comment Comment
05/16/04
Pablo Villaca
Pablo Villaca
Cinema em Cena

No review available.

comment Comment
02/08/04
Daniel M. Kimmel
Daniel M. Kimmel
Worcester Telegram & Gazette

No review available.

comment Comment
01/23/04
Carol Cling
Carol Cling
Las Vegas Review-Journal

What Mr. Pollack's movies lack in momentum, they make up for in quiet gravity.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
05/20/03
Janet Maslin
Janet Maslin
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The ultimate conclusion of the film will leave you thoughtful and even perhaps a touch sad -- rare for any film, and even more rare for a thriller.

Full Review Source: Netflix | comment Comment
11/07/02
James Rocchi
James Rocchi
Netflix

No review available.

comment Comment
10/17/02
Jeffrey Westhoff
Jeffrey Westhoff
Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

No review available.

comment Comment
09/14/02
Robert Roten
Robert Roten
Laramie Movie Scope

No review available.

comment Comment
07/29/02
Philip Martin
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Sally Field and Paul Newman deliver some great work in this look at journalistic warfare.

comment Comment
07/26/02
Scott Weinberg
Scott Weinberg
eFilmCritic.com
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
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