When a prosecutor leaks to a Miami reporter that a liquor wholesaler is suspected in the murder of a union head, the man's life begins to unravel.When a prosecutor leaks to a Miami reporter that a liquor wholesaler is suspected in the murder of a union head, the man's life begins to unravel.When a prosecutor leaks to a Miami reporter that a liquor wholesaler is suspected in the murder of a union head, the man's life begins to unravel.
- Nominated for 3 Oscars
- 3 wins & 8 nominations total
- Nickie
- (as Anna Marie Napoles)
- Walker - Standard's Photographer
- (as Rooney Kerwin)
- Director
- Writers
- Kurt Luedtke
- David Rayfiel(uncredited)
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAccording to Frank DiGiaomo, Paul Newman stated that this picture was a direct attack on the New York Post because it had published a caption with a photo of Newman, a caption that Newman stated was inaccurate. A row occurred, and the Post allegedly banned his name from appearing in the paper.
- GoofsThe union workers who struck told Michael that if their union cards were pulled, they would not be able to work anywhere. Florida is a right to work state and a union card is not needed to work. They would be considered "scabs", but they would be able to work at any dock in Miami. (At the time though, and possibly still, it's very unlikely that a non-union member would last long as a dock worker.)
- Quotes
James J. Wells: I tell you something, you're a smart fellow. Don't get too smart. I'm pretty smart myself.
Michael Gallagher: Everybody in the room is smart. Everybody's just doing their job - and Teresa Perrone's dead. Who do I see about that?
James J. Wells: Ain't nobody to see. I wish there was. You're excused now, sir.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Sneak Previews: Pixote, Ragtime, Buddy Buddy, Absence of Malice (1981)
The essence of the film is "What is the nature of truth?" What we read in the paper ain't necessarily so. Jibes are poked at bureaucrats too who certainly have problems determining what is truth. As long as the paperwork looks good then so goes the world. With the Horatio Alger success formula still around in the world of big government and big business, empire builders are a dime a dozen. Usually their asses are saved by cover ups and fall guys. In "Absence of Malice" the innocent victim outsmarts the bureaucrats and the Fourth Estate to bring the house of cards down, certainly an anomaly in the 21th century as it was in 1981, maybe even more so.
Admittedly, the film becomes too preachy at times which not only grates on the nerves but also slows the picture down. Yet the well-written script and Sydney Pollack's knowing direction keep it from becoming a total disaster. Not on the level of Pollack's previous "Three Days of the Condor" or his next feature "Tootsie," "Absence of Malice" still packs a wallop.
- krorie
- Feb 23, 2006
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $12,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $40,716,963
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $97,667
- Nov 22, 1981
- Gross worldwide
- $40,716,963