Absence of Malice
Megan Carter is a reporter duped into running an untrue story on Michael Gallagher, a suspected racketeer. He has an alibi for the time his crime was allegedly committed—but it involves an innocent party. When he tells Carter the truth and the newspaper runs it, tragedy follows, forcing Carter to face up to the responsibilities of her job when she is confronted by Gallagher.
Despite its modest budget of $12.0M, Absence of Malice became a commercial success, earning $40.7M worldwide—a 239% return. The film's distinctive approach engaged audiences, proving that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Absence of Malice (1981) exemplifies precise narrative design, characteristic of Sydney Pollack's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 56 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Michael Gallagher
Megan Carter
Elliott Rosen
Teresa Perrone
James Quinn
McAdam
Main Cast & Characters
Michael Gallagher
Played by Paul Newman
An honest wholesale liquor distributor wrongly implicated in a murder investigation through manipulative journalism.
Megan Carter
Played by Sally Field
An ambitious investigative reporter who publishes a story that destroys innocent lives, then must confront the consequences of her actions.
Elliott Rosen
Played by Bob Balaban
A ruthless federal prosecutor who leaks false information to the press to pressure Gallagher into cooperating with his investigation.
Teresa Perrone
Played by Melinda Dillon
A fragile friend of Gallagher who becomes collateral damage when her abortion secret is revealed by the newspaper, leading to her suicide.
James Quinn
Played by Wilford Brimley
A powerful and principled Assistant U.S. Attorney General who investigates the corruption within his own department.
McAdam
Played by Josef Sommer
The managing editor of the newspaper who pushes Megan to publish the story and later defends the paper's actions.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Michael Gallagher runs his legitimate liquor warehouse business in Miami, living a quiet life despite his family's organized crime history.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Megan publishes a front-page story naming Michael Gallagher as a suspect in the Diaz disappearance, based on leaked FBI files, destroying his reputation overnight.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Michael decides to actively engage with Megan and the media, choosing to manipulate the situation back rather than hide, beginning a cat-and-mouse game., moving from reaction to action.
At 58 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Megan publishes Teresa's alibi story without understanding the consequences. Teresa, a devout Catholic, is exposed as having had an abortion, devastating her. False victory: Megan thinks she's getting the truth out, but she's actually destroying innocent lives., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 87 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Megan confronts the full weight of Teresa's death and her own role in it. The "whiff of death" is literal—an innocent woman is dead because of Megan's pursuit of a story., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 93 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Wells's hearing exposes the entire conspiracy: Rosen's manipulation, Davidek's leaks, Megan's willing blindness, her editor's failure. Everyone is held accountable for their role in the tragedy. Truth finally emerges through proper process., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Absence of Malice's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 13 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Absence of Malice against these established plot points, we can identify how Sydney Pollack utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Absence of Malice within the drama genre.
Sydney Pollack's Structural Approach
Among the 13 Sydney Pollack films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Absence of Malice represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Sydney Pollack filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Sydney Pollack analyses, see Tootsie, Havana and The Interpreter.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Michael Gallagher runs his legitimate liquor warehouse business in Miami, living a quiet life despite his family's organized crime history.
Theme
Strike Force attorney Rosen discusses with investigator Davidek how they can use the press to pressure Gallagher without evidence: the theme of manipulation and the abuse of power through media.
Worldbuilding
We meet Megan Carter, an ambitious reporter at the Miami Standard; the Strike Force investigating union leader Joey Diaz's disappearance; and learn about Michael's deceased mobster father and his determination to stay clean.
Disruption
Megan publishes a front-page story naming Michael Gallagher as a suspect in the Diaz disappearance, based on leaked FBI files, destroying his reputation overnight.
Resistance
Michael confronts Megan about the story; she defends her journalistic duty. Michael consults his lawyer and begins to understand he's been set up by the government to pressure him.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Michael decides to actively engage with Megan and the media, choosing to manipulate the situation back rather than hide, beginning a cat-and-mouse game.
Premise
Megan investigates deeper, publishing more stories while growing closer to Michael. Michael strategically feeds information, revealing he has an alibi: he was with Teresa Perrone during the timeframe. The promise of the premise: watching manipulation and counter-manipulation unfold.
Midpoint
Megan publishes Teresa's alibi story without understanding the consequences. Teresa, a devout Catholic, is exposed as having had an abortion, devastating her. False victory: Megan thinks she's getting the truth out, but she's actually destroying innocent lives.
Opposition
Teresa commits suicide after the exposure. Megan faces the horrific consequences of her actions. Michael reveals he manipulated her into publishing the story. The Strike Force pressures both of them. Megan's world collapses as she realizes her complicity.
Collapse
Megan confronts the full weight of Teresa's death and her own role in it. The "whiff of death" is literal—an innocent woman is dead because of Megan's pursuit of a story.
Crisis
Megan grapples with guilt and responsibility. Michael deals with his own guilt for using Teresa's memory. Both face the moral darkness of what they've done and been part of.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Wells's hearing exposes the entire conspiracy: Rosen's manipulation, Davidek's leaks, Megan's willing blindness, her editor's failure. Everyone is held accountable for their role in the tragedy. Truth finally emerges through proper process.
Transformation
Megan walks away from the courthouse, transformed and humbled, having learned the devastating cost of journalism without conscience. Michael is exonerated but forever marked by loss.