Drama,Romance,Thriller
United States of America
Absence of Malice is a 1981 American drama film directed by Sydney Pollack and starring Paul Newman, Sally Field, and Bob Balaban. The story revolves around a naive and ambitious reporter, Megan Carter (Sally Field), who is searching for a big scoop. In her pursuit of a story, she falsely implicates Michael Gallagher (Paul Newman) in a crime and destroys his reputation.
Gallagher, a wealthy businessman, is suspected of being involved in a criminal conspiracy involving the disappearance of a union leader. Carter writes a story that implies Gallagher's guilt, without any solid evidence, and the story makes headline news. However, it soon becomes apparent that Carter's story is flawed and that Gallagher has an alibi for the time the crime was committed.
The alibi involves a relationship between Gallagher and Teresa Perrone (Melinda Dillon), a woman with a troubled past who Gallagher had helped out of a tight spot. When Perrone is revealed as Gallagher's alibi, she becomes the target of a criminal gang who believe that she holds information about their activities.
As the investigation into the missing union leader continues, Carter is forced to confront the reality of her actions. She begins to realize that the story she wrote has had serious consequences for Gallagher and Perrone, and that she may have put their lives in danger.
The film explores themes of journalistic ethics, the power of the press, and the responsibilities of those who hold positions of power. At its core, Absence of Malice is a compelling drama that offers a nuanced and thought-provoking look at the impact of fake news and media sensationalism on people's lives.
