Skip to main content
Absence of Malice Movie Poster
Plot, Details & Awards

Absence of Malice

PG In Theaters 11/19/1981 , 116min.
Share this movie on

Plot & Details

In this legal drama from director Sydney Pollack, Sally Field stars as Megan, an ambitious newpaper reporter who, based on information from FBI investigator Rosen, played by Bob Balaban, writes a scathing article that implicates Gallagher, a reclusive business-owner played by Paul Newman, in the recent disappearance of a labor leader. When Gallagher confronts Megan and sets her straight, the two team together to prove his innocence and have a few romantic interludes along the way. Wilford Brimley and Melinda Dillon also star.
  • MPAA Rating: PG
  • Genre(s): Drama,Romance
  • Run Time: 116min.
  • Theatrical Release Date: 11/19/1981
  • DVD Release Date: 04/15/1998
  • Distributor(s): Sony
  • Director(s): Sydney Pollack
  • Starring: Paul Newman , Sally Field , Bob Balaban , Melinda Dillon , Luther Adler
  • Themes: Miscarriage of Justice,Members of the Press,Work Ethics
  • Tone: Angry,Earnest,Matter-of-Fact,Tense
  • Keywords: FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation),courtroom,false-accusation,investigator,journalism,media,newspaper,reporter,revenge,suicide,suicide-attempt
  • Language: English

Awards

Academy Awards

Year Award CategoryCast & Crew Result
1981 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Supporting Actress Melinda Dillon Nominated
1981 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Original Screenplay Kurt Luedtke Nominated
1981 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Actor Paul Newman Nominated

Golden Globes

Year Award CategoryCast & Crew Result
1981 Hollywood Foreign Press Association Best Screenplay Kurt Luedtke Nominated
1981 Hollywood Foreign Press Association Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama Sally Field Nominated
Netflix - Try for Free

Instantly watch TV episodes and movies via the Internet on your computer or TV. 1 month FREE!

Stay Connected with Moviefone