Sydney Pollack's harsh take on the press plays out with Paul Newman as an innocent liquor dealer and Sally Field as the delusional, yet still spunky reporter that implicates Newman in the disappearance of a local Miami labor leader.
"Absence of Malice" takes a rather tough look at the newspapers in this country. Instead of being the hero, as they were in say "All the President's Men," they are portrayed here as the agitators that don't seem to care about flimsy accusations and exposing very personal secrets.
The plot is at times a little too convoluted and Newman's character's actions/dealings toward the end of the film are a little too unbelievable for me, at least. Tension also fails to build. The film, however, isn't a mystery, so plot machinations like people getting murdered in a dark alley aren't here and shouldn't be.
Newman is great here. At his cool, suave best. Even at 56 years of age, he is still incredibly gorgeous. He could just coast on that, but he doesn't. He gives a polished and reserved performance, while definitely adding more layers to the character. Sally Field, on the other hand, is totally miscast here - too much Norma Rae here. She is feisty for sure, but seems to be trying too hard to play this strong willed, tough, and smart reporter. This is especially evident when she's playing against Paul Newman who in turn is giving such an effortless performance. Jane Fonda would've been so much better! Wilford Brimley is great in a small supporting role near the end of the film and Melinda Dillon, giving a very subtle and quiet performance, is very effective as a woman with a secret that eventually gets exposed.
"Absence of Malice" takes a rather tough look at the newspapers in this country. Instead of being the hero, as they were in say "All the President's Men," they are portrayed here as the agitators that don't seem to care about flimsy accusations and exposing very personal secrets.
The plot is at times a little too convoluted and Newman's character's actions/dealings toward the end of the film are a little too unbelievable for me, at least. Tension also fails to build. The film, however, isn't a mystery, so plot machinations like people getting murdered in a dark alley aren't here and shouldn't be.
Newman is great here. At his cool, suave best. Even at 56 years of age, he is still incredibly gorgeous. He could just coast on that, but he doesn't. He gives a polished and reserved performance, while definitely adding more layers to the character. Sally Field, on the other hand, is totally miscast here - too much Norma Rae here. She is feisty for sure, but seems to be trying too hard to play this strong willed, tough, and smart reporter. This is especially evident when she's playing against Paul Newman who in turn is giving such an effortless performance. Jane Fonda would've been so much better! Wilford Brimley is great in a small supporting role near the end of the film and Melinda Dillon, giving a very subtle and quiet performance, is very effective as a woman with a secret that eventually gets exposed.