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Absence of Malice

  • 1981
  • PG
  • 1h 56m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
16K
YOUR RATING
Paul Newman and Sally Field in Absence of Malice (1981)
Home Video Trailer from Columbia Tristar
Play trailer2:03
1 Video
51 Photos
TragedyDramaRomanceThriller

When prosecutor Elliot Rosen leaks to naive but well-meaning Miami reporter Megan Carter that liquor wholesaler Mike Gallagher is suspected in the murder of local longshoreman union presiden... Read allWhen prosecutor Elliot Rosen leaks to naive but well-meaning Miami reporter Megan Carter that liquor wholesaler Mike Gallagher is suspected in the murder of local longshoreman union president Joey Diaz, Gallagher's life begins to unravel.When prosecutor Elliot Rosen leaks to naive but well-meaning Miami reporter Megan Carter that liquor wholesaler Mike Gallagher is suspected in the murder of local longshoreman union president Joey Diaz, Gallagher's life begins to unravel.

  • Director
    • Sydney Pollack
  • Writer
    • Kurt Luedtke
  • Stars
    • Paul Newman
    • Sally Field
    • Bob Balaban
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    6.9/10
    16K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Sydney Pollack
    • Writer
      • Kurt Luedtke
    • Stars
      • Paul Newman
      • Sally Field
      • Bob Balaban
    • 146User reviews
    • 25Critic reviews
    • 64Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 3 Oscars
      • 3 wins & 8 nominations total

    Videos1

    Absence of Malice
    Trailer 2:03
    Absence of Malice

    Photos51

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    Top cast45

    Edit
    Paul Newman
    Paul Newman
    • Michael Colin Gallagher
    Sally Field
    Sally Field
    • Megan Carter
    Bob Balaban
    Bob Balaban
    • Elliott Rosen
    Melinda Dillon
    Melinda Dillon
    • Teresa Perrone
    Luther Adler
    Luther Adler
    • Santos Malderone
    Barry Primus
    Barry Primus
    • Bob Waddell
    Josef Sommer
    Josef Sommer
    • McAdam
    John Harkins
    John Harkins
    • Davidek
    Don Hood
    Don Hood
    • District Attorney Quinn
    Wilford Brimley
    Wilford Brimley
    • James J. Wells
    Arnie Ross
    • Eddie Frost
    Phanie Napoli
    • Nickie
    • (as Anna Marie Napoles)
    Shelley Spurlock
    • Sarah Wylie
    Shawn McAllister
    Shawn McAllister
    • Hood 1
    Joe Petrullo
    • Hood 2
    William Kerwin
    • Walker - Standard's Photographer
    • (as Rooney Kerwin)
    Oswaldo Calvo
    • John
    Clardy Malugen
    • Donna
    • Director
      • Sydney Pollack
    • Writer
      • Kurt Luedtke
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Paul Newman once said of this movie while publicizing The Verdict (1982): "I'd rather have the freedom to do the kind of pictures like The Verdict (1982) ... I enjoyed kicking the beejeezus out of the press in Absence of Malice (1981)."
    • Goofs
      After spending his first night with Megan, Michael tells her as he is leaving that it is 5:30 a.m. It is clearly daylight outside. In Miami in mid-December, it would still be dark outside at that time.
    • Quotes

      James J. Wells: I tell you something, you're a smart fellow. Don't get too smart. I'm pretty smart myself.

      Michael Gallagher: Everybody in the room is smart. Everybody's just doing their job - and Teresa Perrone's dead. Who do I see about that?

      James J. Wells: Ain't nobody to see. I wish there was. You're excused now, sir.

    • Connections
      Featured in Sneak Previews: Pixote, Ragtime, Buddy Buddy, Absence of Malice (1981)

    User reviews146

    Review
    Review
    Featured review

    Wilford Brimley stole the show...

    Absence of Malice is an alright drama that is smartly casted with Sally Field and Paul Newman. The story is interesting enough and moves along just fine until Wilford Brimley's character, he plays a no nonsense-no BS judge who sets everyone straight. It makes you grateful you sat through this okay film. Great job by Mr. Brimley. He makes it worth the price of admission(or video).
    • simba-18
    • Feb 17, 2004
    • Permalink

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    FAQ26

    • How long is Absence of Malice?Powered by Alexa
    • What is 'Absence of Malice' about?
    • Is "Absence of Malice" based on a book?
    • What does the title "Absence of Malice" mean?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 18, 1981 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Die Sensationsreporterin
    • Filming locations
      • Coral Gables, Florida, USA
    • Production companies
      • Columbia Pictures
      • Mirage Enterprises
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $12,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $40,716,963
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $97,667
      • Nov 22, 1981
    • Gross worldwide
      • $40,716,963
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 56 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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