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Absence of Malice

In America can a man be guilty until proven innocent?

1981 · 1h 56m · PG Drama, Romance
Directed by Sydney Pollack

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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 and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
81%
Tomatometer
Fresh

Absence of Malice does not invalidate All the President's Men. But with entertainment values -- and a moral sense -- every bit as high as that film's, it observes that there is an underside to journalistic gallantry.

Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine
Fresh

A splendidly disturbing look at the power of sloppy reporting to inflict harm on the innocent.

Variety Staff, Variety
Fresh

I not only liked this movie despite its factual and ethical problems -- I'm not even so sure they matter so much to most viewers.

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Fresh

What Mr. Pollack's movies lack in momentum, they make up for in quiet gravity.

Janet Maslin, New York Times
Rotten

The picture has a smug, demoralizing sense of pervasive corruption.

Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

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