Tender Mercies1983
Tender Mercies (1983)
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Movie Info
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Cast
as Mac Sledge
as Rosa Lee Wadsworth
as Dixie Scott
as Sue Anne
as Harry
as Sonny
as Robert Dennis
as Reporter
as Lewis Menefee
as Henry
as Rev. Hotchkiss
as LaRue
as Jake
as Jake
as Bertie
as Steve
as Nurse
as Man at Bar
as Concessionaire
as Boy at Dance
as Doorman
as Man at Motel
as Man at Dixie's House
as Man at Dixie's House
as Man at Dixie's House
as Woman with Groceries
as Country Woman
as Concessionaire
as Country Man
as Waiter
as Choirmaster
as Man in Bar
as Ada
Critic Reviews for Tender Mercies
All Critics (20) | Fresh (17) | Rotten (3)
An anti-Hollywood drama that glitters in its subdued form because it's a real gem.
Aussie director Beresford makes an impressive American debut with this rural Texas based saga of the recovery and redemption of an alcoholic and abusive country singer, splendidly played by Robert Duvall in an Oscar-winning performance.
I found myself filled with disquieting wishes for something to happen to break the silence.
Like a quiet child whose primary virtue is that he doesn't make any waves, Tender Mercies is so muted and obedient that it's hard in good conscience to praise it.
Earthy Duvall vehicle, wonderful character study
Duvall won an Oscar for this one, and it's still a moving and fascinating flick.
Audience Reviews for Tender Mercies
This Duvall piece influenced a lot of similar films in the future. A lot has been mined out of the "cowboy has difficulty in the modern world" storyline but they all reasonate universally.
Super Reviewer
"Tender Mercies" is a very minimalist effort from director Bruce Beresford, who moves the film along at a calm and unhurried pace. As well, Robert Duvall gives an endearing and honest performance that resonates with every word that he says. Overall, the impact that "Tender Mercies" has on the viewer is not lasting, but watching it is a pleasant experience.
Super Reviewer
Robert Duvall delivers a great, oscar-winning performance in a film that is actually worthy of it (as opposed to "The Great Santini"). Hell, even the kid (Allen Hubbard) does a good job. Duvall plays an alcholic country singer who, after waking up in a desolate country farmhouse/gas station/motel, decides to stay on and help out the owner (who is a single mother) when he can't afford to pay off his bill. Obviously, the two fall in love and get married (their relationship is formed so quickly they're already married before the movie is ten minutes in), and she helps him sober up and straighten out his life. It's interesting to see how subdued or distant the wife (Tess Harper) is. One of the closing scenes, where Duvall's character has a breakdown, any other movie wife would run to him and hug and comfort him, but this woman (who appears in the corner of the screen), merely turns and walks away. For such a loving wife, it's rather strange behavior (in fact, it leads one to question whether she really loves him, or married him just because he provided a role model for her son). His ex-wife stands in stark contrast, she's driven purely by her music career and doesn't seem to care about anything else. She's a woman who seemingly has it all, but really has nothing, whereas he is someone who appears to have nothing but really has everything he could ever want. He doesn't covet his ex wife's success. Their daughter (Ellen Barkin) is kept from him until at 18, she decides to look him up for herself. It's such a slow-moving, simple tale and yet it feels realistic, like it could've been made-for-television by Robert Altman. Duvall is convincing as a country music singer, and does a good job performing the songs in the movie. Tender Mercies would make a nice contrasting companion piece for Altman's "Nashville", if someone were in the mood for country & western, slice-of-life.
Super Reviewer
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