Absence of Malice
Seen it?1981 | 116 min | Drama, Romance, Crime
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (82% on Rotten Tomatoes). A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime-drama fans and romantics. If you loved Insomnia or Michael Clayton, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Dark and gritty, warm and romantic.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 56 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
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.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
82% on Rotten Tomatoes, 64 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
6.6 out of 10
- AwardsSolid
Nominated for 3 Oscars.
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$41 million worldwide on a $12 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 114K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Sydney Pollack
- Sally FieldMegan Carter
- Paul NewmanMichael Colin Gallagher
- Bob BalabanElliott Rosen
- Melinda DillonTeresa Perrone
- Luther AdlerSantos Malderone
- Barry PrimusRobert Waddell
- Josef SommerMcAdam
- John HarkinsDavidek
- Don HoodJames A. Quinn
- Wilford BrimleyJames J. Wells