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All Flixster 3.0 Stars (602) Want To See 303 Not Interested 1905
Female 3.0 Stars (277) Want To See 139 Not Interested 874
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Plot: The ethics of the press are roundly slapped around in an entertaining if not always believable drama from director Sydney Pollack. Sally Field is the Miami reporter who is set up to leak information o...( read more read more... )n a dead-end murder investigation. A sneaky government official (a marvelous, rubber-band-spinning Bob Balaban) provides the information that implies liquor distributor Paul Newman is under investigation. When the story runs, it uncorks a legal quagmire that puts the spotlight on presumably innocent lives. As the lawyers explain, the paper's story is accurate, even though it may be untrue. The details of the story are sharply drawn by first-time screenwriter and former reporter Kurt Luedtke (who later went on to win an Oscar scripting Pollack's Out of Africa); the film could be used in a Media Ethics 101 class. Newman secretly counterattacks in a clever plot to derail the process that quickly encompasses his jittery friend (Oscar nominee Melinda Dillon). Field's continuing ethical gaps--including falling in love with her subject--stretch the film's credibility. Then again, who wouldn't fall for Paul Newman in the Florida sun? --Doug Thomas

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Recent Reviews


  • 4.5 Stars
    MCT:
    September 27, 2008
    One of my favorite movies. Everyone doeas a great job. Fields and Newman are perfect. The story is awesome. The ending is not predictable.
  • 3.0 Stars
    MCT:
    June 3, 2008
    heavy courtroom drama with strong cast lead byPaul Newman...another message driven movie that will hold your interest
  • 4.0 Stars
    MCT:
    May 8, 2007
    Worth four starts for one scene alone, in which Wilfred Brimley (best known as The Oatmeal Guy) comes in as special prosecuter and tells the assembled group Just How Things Are Gong To Be Done
  • 3.0 Stars
    MCT:
    May 4, 2007
    A slow, studied film about the ethics of journalism, with solid performances by the leads - and, unfortunately, a rather pat storyline. Everything fits a little too easily, everyone forgives a little too quickly. Sally Field's character keeps making the same mistake, over and over, and barely gets called out on it. Still, the film doesn't deserve to have been completely forgotten in the way it has.
  • 3.5 Stars
    MCT:
    October 31, 2006
    Brings up some very intriging points about journalism. Also, with Newman and Field plus with director Pollack you can't get much better!
  • 3.5 Stars
    MCT:
    August 17, 2006
    A solid well-written that has a really good story and great performances by Paul Newman, Sally Field and Melinda Dillion.
  • 2.5 Stars
    MCT:
    July 20, 2006
    Caught this on cable the other night. I don't believe that any real reporter would be as cavalier with the facts as Field's character was portrayed. Ultimately, not believable.

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Absence of Malice Recent Reviews

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Details


  • Rated: (PG)
  • Directed by: Sydney Pollack
  • Genres: Drama, Mystery & Suspense
  • Released: November 19, 1981
  • DVD Released: March 31, 1998

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