Absence of Malice (1981) Retrospective 

Always appreciate that

Really appreciate that professor!

I don’t think it would be fair either- just trying to represent all potential sides of the argument. To me Newman’s character is basically a total alpha male worthy of adoration.

Thanks so much!

Haha he is amazing in it!

His Postmaster General Henery Atkins on Seinfeld was based on his performance in Absence of Malice. Just as brilliant, just as scary. He was also incredibly good in a similarly scary role as Bill Devasher head of security for The Firm. Brimley could steal a film in a few minutes.

Some interesting perspectives. In my opinion Woodward and Bernstein should be commended for being tenacious on the Watergate scandal, but both their novel and the movie “All the President’s Men” greatly exaggerated the WaPo’s internal resistance to their quest. Ben Bradlee HATED Nixon and authorized an unusually large investment in time and money to allow the reporters to chase down the story. Today’s media relies way too much on anonymous sources which I believe is one of the negative consequences of the Watergate story. Changing the subject, that climax scene with Wilford Brimley is one of the best “revenge” scenes in modern cinema. Finally, Sally Field’s range to play different types of women was quite evident.

Glad you enjoyed it

Thanks man!

What are the other 2?

@@FilmJournal Papillion & the other one changes depending on my mood.... Maybe Syriana, Apocalypse Now, a few others I really like

I actually liked Norma Rae- total propaganda, but they did it better back then.

Yeah- kind of wild. I don’t know how you can prove you did something “without malice” seems like an insane standard. I took a first amendment class in college. I like the idea that you can say wild shit about people who are public figures (politicians etc.) the assumption being that they have a larger platform/ access to a public forum to defend themselves. But- figuring out who qualifies as a public figure is more difficult.

I laughed at times!

Amen boss

100% agree her character was a bitch kinda of got mad at paul newman's character when he got with her although i did always think he was just using her which is a deserving thing although i think the guy in the video is trying to defend her more than she deserved

Interesting, I thought this video would get me labeled a sexist. She's a character with no real agency- climbing the status ladder because she's been told to.

Her ambition leads her to make ethically questionable decision to write the initial article. But later he decision to write the second article clearing Gallagher's name causes the suicide of Gallagher's close friend.

Gidget? Unlikable?

It’s rather incomprehensible to me how often boomer Cons interpret my work as left wing. When did I offer a value judgment of “patriarchy”? Maybe I think Patriarchal norms are good.

How so?