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Tender Mercies

Play trailer Poster for Tender Mercies PG 1983 1h 30m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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82% Tomatometer 28 Reviews 81% Popcornmeter 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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Tender Mercies

Tender Mercies

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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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Critics Reviews

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Pauline Kael The 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Julian Singleton Cinapse Coupled with Foote’s screenplay, the natural chemistry that blossoms between Mac and Rosa Lee as a result makes Tender Mercies more than live up to its title. Jul 12, 2025 Full Review 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 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy An unfussy and unassuming gem. Rated: 3.5/4 Aug 16, 2020 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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STEPHEN P This movie still stands up to the test of time. Of course from a much simpler time but it is very well done from many perspectives. The characters are very believable and even sensible for the most part. The story of a reformed alcoholic songwriter/singer who lucks into something worth changing for. Inspiring without being over the top at all. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/10/25 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews
Tender Mercies

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Cast & Crew

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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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Tender Mercies

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Movie Info

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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