Let Us Descend
2025
“In America can a man be guilty until proven innocent?”
Absence of Malice (1981)
November 19, 19811h 56mEN
6.6
245 votes
Overview
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.
Director
Sydney PollackWriter
Where to Watch
Streaming availability for India
Rent
Buy
Top Billed Cast
Status
Released
Original Language
Spanish
Budget
$12.0M
Revenue
$40.7M
Production Companies
Mirage EnterprisesColumbia Pictures
Movies Like Absence of Malice
5.7
Kiss of Death
1995
6.8
Gosford Park
2001
6.6
The Pledge
2001
5.2
Black Crown
1951
6.0
Mord am Meer
2004
6.6
Death Scream
1975
Recommended for You
5.9
The Detective
1968
6.1
Angel Eyes
2001
6.4
Man from Reno
2014
6.3
The Seven-Ups
1973
6.3
High Crimes
2002
6.3
Killer's Kiss
1955
6.8
Party Girl
1958
User Reviews
Peter McGinn
9.0Sidney 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 agains…
Read full review →