Overview
A gripping tale of media ethics and personal redemption unfolds in the heart of Miami.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- serious
- uneasy
- restrained
- thoughtful movie night
- classic film night
What critics said
Critics broadly regarded the film as a morally serious and disturbing drama about journalistic irresponsibility, strengthened by Paul Newman and Sally Field's performances.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Megan Carter publishes an FBI-sourced investigation without confirming Gallagher's involvement, causing serious personal consequences.
Gallagher devises a nonviolent plan to make the FBI and federal prosecutor confront the consequences of manipulating the press.
The story turns on an FBI investigation, a federal prosecutor, suppressed information, and the tactical use of evidence.
Miami offices, newspaper spaces, court proceedings, and investigative encounters are presented with sober mainstream filmmaking craft.
Films like Absence of Malice, and why
All the President's Men
shared journalism ethics, institutional pressure, and morally serious investigative drama
The Verdict
shared legal-crime suspense, compromised institutions, and understated procedural tension
The Pelican Brief
shared romantic tension, investigative power struggles, and polished adult drama
The Insider
shared crime investigation, media scrutiny, and intelligent revenge without action spectacle
Movie Details
- Director
- Sydney Pollack
- Release Date
- 1981-11-19
- Runtime
- 116 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (261)
Cast
- Sally Field
- Paul Newman
- Bob Balaban
- Melinda Dillon
- Luther Adler
- Barry Primus
- Josef Sommer
- John Harkins
- Don Hood
- Wilford Brimley
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Absence of Malice about?
- A Miami liquor wholesaler retaliates against the federal investigators and journalist who turn an unverified mob allegation into a public scandal.
- What is Absence of Malice like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Absence of Malice as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Absence of Malice violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Absence of Malice as mild.
- What did critics think of Absence of Malice?
- Critics broadly regarded the film as a morally serious and disturbing drama about journalistic irresponsibility, strengthened by Paul Newman and Sally Field's performances.
- Which films are like Absence of Malice?
- Films with a similar feel include All the President's Men, The Verdict, The Pelican Brief, and The Insider.
- How long is Absence of Malice?
- Absence of Malice runs 116 minutes.
- Where can I watch Absence of Malice?
- In United States, Absence of Malice streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
