ABSENCE OF MALICE

ABSENCE OF MALICE (1981-PG),

AWARDS: 3 Academy nominations including Best Actor.

STARRING: Paul Newman & Sally Field

RATING: PG for language and a scene where Newman loses his temper and roughs up Field, ripping her blouse accidentally.

THEME: Ethics and power in journalism and government. How easily a life or career is destroyed by unscrupulous or even well intentioned but thoughtless people with the power of the press or the power of the subpoena. How many lives have been ruined or disrupted because of the arrogance and unscrupulousness of the power of the press. Is 'Absence Of Malice' the only criteria??

OTHER REVIEWS: ROGER EBERT gave it 3 out of 4 stars.

STORY: The movie opens with Field, an up and coming, zealous newspaper reporter, overhearing a conversation about an ongoing investigation by a special FBI unit investigating the mob and, in particular, an unsolved murder case, for which they have no real suspects. She makes an appointment to see the lead FBI agent. They have a person of interest (Newman) that they believe can lead them to the perpetrators. The agent plants a 'fake' file on his desk knowing that Field will look when he leaves the room. She takes the bait and runs a story about Newman's 'involvement', falling right in to the FBI's trap. She's shocked when Newman shows up at her desk the next day demanding to know the source and having a retraction printed. Field refuses but is intrigued by Newman's claim of innocence (he really is) despite his father's mob connections and other family members still having 'Mafioso' ties. She tries to trap Newman during a lunch meeting but he outsmarts her and she starts to be personally interested in him-obviously unethical and compromising to her work. But she's conflicted between her professional responsibilities and personal feelings. She's already ruined Newman's business (a liquor distributor) and reputation. In trying to repair the damage, she destroys another person's life. In the meantime, the FBI and the Federal Attorney keep pursuing Newman, trying to make him crack. This all leads to a surprising and, if you like to see unethical, arrogant and power-hungry prosecutors get what's coming to them, very creative ending. Wilford Brimley does a great job in his brief but powerful performance at the end. Lu G for Lu's Reviews. 9/2/2007

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