Tender Mercies

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Tender Mercies

PG

Released Mar 4, 1983

1h 30m

Drama

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81%

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27 Reviews

81%

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2,500+ Ratings

Down-on-his-luck country singer Mac Sledge (Robert Duvall) has nowhere to turn when he wakes up in a motel, short on cash. So he takes a job from Rosa Lee (Tess Harper), the kindly widow who runs the place. Mac begins to fall for Rosa, who helps him confront his drinking, and also finds an unexpected bond with Rosa's young son (Allan Hubbard). When the opportunity for a career comeback surfaces, Mac must choose between his new life and the life he let slip through his hands.

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Critics Consensus

Anchored by a deftly understated performance from Robert Duvall, Tender Mercies is a quiet character study that leaves a lasting emotional impact.

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Pauline Kael

New Yorker

I kept waiting for Tender Mercies to get started -- to get into something. I was still waiting when it was over and I was back out on the street.

Sep 19, 2023

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Tender Mercies won Robert Duvall his only Academy Award in six nominations. It contains one of his most understated performances. It's mostly done with his eyes.

Rated: 4/4

Jun 20, 2018

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Ian Kane

Epoch Times

If you’re looking for an inspiring movie that has an unusual sense of authenticity, heartfelt drama, and a good splash of romance, you can do no better than “Tender Mercies.”

Rated: 4.5/5

Feb 13, 2023

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

An unfussy and unassuming gem.

Rated: 3.5/4

Aug 16, 2020

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Molly Haskell

Vogue

Tender Mercies' ultimate miracle is its faith in the audience. It assumes, perhaps unreasonably, that we are not so canned overblown effects that we cannot pick up on its quiet rhythms.

Feb 27, 2020

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Diego Galán

El Pais (Spain)

It's not bad, but none of it makes a difference. [Full Review in Spanish]

Sep 24, 2019

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Andrew M

Everybody is very nice to each other in this movie. It is therapeutic to watch if you are trapped in a toxic work environment. Quiet, slow moving, deeply meaningful film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/11/24

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Leaburn O

Based out in the sprawling bleak Southern dustbowl plains, this film about a country singer who turned to alcohol plays out very slowly. Expecting a crescendo of doom, we’re finally confronted with some underwhelming sadness and the kitsch easy finale of a reformed character. Wet acting from the ex wife and child star (not by any means a star), help set the scene. All too predictable and all too boring, this was a real disappointment of a Best Picture nominee. Watched on DVD.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

09/16/24

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Alec B

A subtle character piece that never wastes a second of its runtime and I love that Duvall won his Oscar for such a quiet and understated performance.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/21/24

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Ian M

Pure, honest, simple character study. It was nice to watch something that was 'the good 'ol days, when life had simple challenges.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/24/23

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Koi P

I thought it had to be based on a true story. Thought provoking and real.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/23/23

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Audience Member

A subtle character piece that never wastes a second of its runtime and I love that Duvall won his Oscar for such a quiet and understated performance.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

Full Review

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Bruce Beresford

Director

Robert Duvall

Mac Sledge

Tess Harper

Rosa Lee

Betty Buckley

Dixie

Wilford Brimley

Harry

Ellen Barkin

Sue Anne

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Synopsis

Down-on-his-luck country singer Mac Sledge (Robert Duvall) has nowhere to turn when he wakes up in a motel, short on cash. So he takes a job from Rosa Lee (Tess Harper), the kindly widow who runs the place. Mac begins to fall for Rosa, who helps him confront his drinking, and also finds an unexpected bond with Rosa's young son (Allan Hubbard). When the opportunity for a career comeback surfaces, Mac must choose between his new life and the life he let slip through his hands.

Director: Bruce Beresford
Producer: Philip Hobel, Mary Ann Hobel, Horton Foote, Robert Duvall
Screenwriter: Horton Foote, Horton Foote
Production Co: EMI Films Ltd.
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 4, 1983, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 2, 2009
Runtime: 1h 30m

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