Absence of Malice

Year: 1981

Runtime: 116 min

Language: English

Director: Sydney Pollack

DramaThrillerRomance

A sensational news report mistakenly implicates businessman Michael Gallagher in a financial scandal, turning him into a target of public suspicion. Reporter Megan Carter, initially driven by ambition, finds herself responsible for the damage inflicted on Gallagher's reputation and personal life. As Gallagher fights to clear his name, Carter must grapple with the ethical implications of her profession and the profound impact of her reporting. The film explores themes of truth, justice, and the potential for devastating consequences when facts are distorted.

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Timeline – Absence of Malice (1981)

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Last Updated: November 22, 2024 at 14:49

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Thrillers about systemic corruption like Absence of Malice

Stories where individuals are crushed by ruthless, powerful institutions.Movies like Absence of Malice where a single person's life is upended by powerful, unethical systems. If you enjoyed the tense battle against political and media corruption in Absence of Malice, you'll find similar gripping dramas about reputational damage and institutional power here.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative typically begins with an inciting incident—a false accusation, a leaked document, a wrongful targeting—that pits a relatively powerless protagonist against a mighty, often faceless, establishment. The story unfolds as a methodical unveiling of the system's ruthlessness, forcing the protagonist to use wit and resilience to expose the truth, often at great personal cost.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared focus on institutional power as the primary antagonist and the resulting heavy emotional weight. They create a cynical, urgent atmosphere where the tension comes from the imbalance of power and the high stakes of the personal fight for vindication.

Movies about professional ethics like Absence of Malice

Character-driven dramas where professionals face the consequences of their choices.Films similar to Absence of Malice that explore the heavy weight of ethical dilemmas in high-stakes professions like journalism, law, or business. If you liked Megan Carter's journey of realizing the damage caused by her reporting, you'll appreciate these stories of moral awakening and the quest for redemption.

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Narrative Summary

The plot follows a protagonist who, often with good intentions or simple ambition, sets in motion a chain of events that causes significant harm. The central conflict becomes internal as much as external, charting their growing guilt, the collapse of their professional certainty, and their difficult path toward making amends, leading to a bittersweet resolution where some personal growth is achieved but the damage is never fully undone.

Why These Movies?

These movies share a core character arc of moral awakening and the struggle for redemption. They are united by a heavy emotional weight, a somber and anxious mood, and a focus on the internal conflict of a professional confronting the real-world impact of their actions.

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Absence of Malice Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Absence of Malice

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More About Absence of Malice

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Discover movies like Absence of Malice that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.