Absence of Malice ★★½ 1981 (PG) High-minded story about the harm that the news media can inflict. Field is the earnest reporter who, after being fed some facts by an unscrupulous federal investigator, writes a story implicating Newman in a murder he didn't commit. Field hides behind journalistic confidentiality privilege to put off the outraged Newman, who loses a friend to suicide during the debacle. Interesting performances by Field and Newman. 116m/C VHS, DVD. Paul Newman, Sally Field, Bob Balaban, Melinda Dillon, Luther Adler, Barry Primus, Josef Sommer, John Harkins, Don Hood, Wilford Brimley;
Director:
Sydney Pollack;
Writer:
Kurt Luedtke;
Writer:
Owen Roizman;
Cameo:
Dave Grusin.
