Absence Of Malice is a well-acted, smoothly paced melodrama that suffers from an illogical premise.

Absence of Malice does not invalidate All the President's Men. But with entertainment values -- and a moral sense -- every bit as high as that film's, it observes that there is an underside to journalistic gallantry.

A splendidly disturbing look at the power of sloppy reporting to inflict harm on the innocent.

An intelligent and emotionally charged drama.