Absence of Malice is a 1981 film which tells the story of the son of a dead Mafia boss who discovers that he has become a front-page story on the local newspaper indicating that he is being investigated for a murder he didn't commit. It stars Paul Newman, Sally Field, Bob Balaban, Melinda Dillon and Wilford Brimley.

The movie was written by Kurt Luedtke and David Rayfiel (uncredited) and directed by Sydney Pollack.

It was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Paul Newman), Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Melinda Dillon) and Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen.