Hide in Plain Sight is a 1980 American drama film directed by and starring James Caan with the story line based on an actual case from the files of New York attorney Salvatore R. Martoche, who represented Tom Leonhard, a real-life victim from Buffalo, New York who had sued to recover contact with his children, estranged by the culpability of the new husband and government, soon realizing his own past is coming back to get him.

He is mystified after approaching the authorities, who refuse to assist, but speculates when he becomes aware that her new husband is in the United States Federal Witness Protection Program.

He becomes determined upon discovering the government advised the low-tier mobster new husband to marry his ex-wife in order to disqualify her from testifying against him in the eventuality of a trial for his criminal activities.

It tells the true story of a working man's fight against the system, features several poignant moments, and makes a number of political messages in an effective yet unobtrusive manner.

"[1] Filmink magazine wrote "Caan’s handling of the material is genuinely assured and interesting – he uses lots of masters and long takes (he seems influenced by Claude Lelouch).