Write a plot summary of the film Absence of Malice IN YOUR OWN WORDS.
Absence of Malice is the story of Michael Gallagher (Paul Newman), son of a former famous bootlegger. After the disappearance of one Joey Diaz, reporter Megan Carter (Sally Fields) gets a not-so-subtle tip that Gallagher could be a suspect. She prints the story.
Enter Gallagher. One of those men who don’t say much, he demands to know why he’s a suspect in this investigation. A relationship sparks. Megan is intrigued—both by the potential story and by the guy (who could blame her? It’s Paul Newman!). As their relationship grows deeper than either could have imagined, the story takes a turn when one of Megan’s sources—and Gallagher’s closest friend—commits suicide after being interviewed.
Gallagher takes matters into his own hands, convinced that the report has taken a turn which does more damage than good. If he (who has done nothing wrong) is going to be made suspect in this case then he will dig up a few secrets, too. Although Megan plays a fairly innocent role (the pretty reporter who runs on journalistic integrity, or what she thinks journalistic integrity is—absence of malice), Gallagher’s going after those other reporters.
It’s a little payback, and it’s done in such a sly way that Gallagher gets away with it in the end. Ultimately, Gallagher’s not charged with anything and his relationship with Megan is left open-ended.
List ten things you learned from the film, Absence of Malice, which will help you become a better journalist.
1. Sometimes a “scoop” for a potential article works out for reporters but not always. Be careful which sources your story ideas come from.
2. Don’t just get the story (get to the heart of the story).
3. Consider the interviewees (and respect what they say). As important as your story is, it touches beyond those you interview.
4. That being said, you can’t be afraid to go where the story takes you.
5. A good reporter looks for facts from all sides. Try to be as objective as possible if not writing an opinion piece.
6. Do not sensationalize.
7. Be professional with those you interview. It’s okay to be sympathetic (if the story affects you, it’s likely to affect your readers), but don’t get overly involved. In other words, do not sleep with your interviewee even if he does look like Paul Newman.
8. What kind of message is your story sending to the public? Is it important? Is it true?
9. Once something’s gone to press, it is out of your hands.
10. Reporting is a tricky field. Good reporters are those who learn from their sources, their editors, and their mistakes.
