Absence of Malice
Performance & Direction: Absence of Malice Review
Last updated: January 29, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Absence of Malice (1981) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.6/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Absence of Malice features a noteworthy lineup led by Sally Field . Supported by the likes of Paul Newman and Bob Balaban , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Absence of Malice
Quick Plot Summary: Absence of Malice is a Drama, Romance film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: Absence of Malice
Ending Breakdown: Absence of Malice concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Absence of Malice reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Absence of Malice Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Absence of Malice uses real-world events as narrative inspiration. As a drama, romance film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: Absence of Malice adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch Absence of Malice?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Box Office Collection: Absence of Malice
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $12.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $40.7M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Absence of Malice Budget
The estimated production budget for Absence of Malice is $12.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Absence of Malice
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Where to Watch Absence of Malice Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
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Apple TV StoreAbsence of Malice Parents Guide & Age Rating
1981 AdvisoryWondering about Absence of Malice age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Absence of Malice is 116 minutes (1h 56m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.6/10, and global performance metrics, Absence of Malice is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1981 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Absence of Malice worth watching?
Absence of Malice is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 6.6/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Absence of Malice parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Absence of Malice identifies it as PG. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Absence of Malice?
The total duration of Absence of Malice is 116 minutes, which is approximately 1h 56m long.
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Critic Reviews for Absence of Malice
Sidney Pollack has directed a lot of excellent movies but Absence of Malice, one of his lower profile efforts, is my favorite Pollack film. Paul Newman is excellent, of course, and Sally Fields holds her own portraying a reporter who is both ambitious and caring. The supporting cast is also good, especially the late Wilford Brimley as the razor sharp tobacco chewing “aw shucks“ Officer of the court late in the movie. In a way, this is a thinking man’s revenge film, without the violence. The Paul Newman character attempts to use the ambition and the zeal of those who have targeted him against them. There are traces of humor to be found also, and pockets of romance. I have watched it a few times and probably will again.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
