Absence of Malice

Absence of Malice (1981) starring Paul Newman, Sally Field, Bob Balaban, Melinda Dillon, Wilford Brimley. A reporter (Field) is fooled into printing a story that is critical of an innocent man (Newman). Offended by the cruel power of the press, he decides to get even -- and succeeds. Newman and Field have one love scene together, but frankly there's not much believable chemistry between the two. The main plot, with Newman setting up the government officials who are harassing him, is pretty nifty. (Subtitles in English are available, as well as closed captions.) Grade: B