The Tender Bar

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2:34

The Tender Bar

R

Released Dec 22, 2021

1h 46m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

51%

Tomatometer

186 Reviews

69%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

The Tender Bar tells the story of J.R. (Tye Sheridan), a fatherless boy growing up in the glow of a bar where the bartender, his Uncle Charlie (Ben Affleck), is the sharpest and most colorful of an assortment of quirky and demonstrative father figures. As the boy's determined mother (Lily Rabe) struggles to provide her son with opportunities denied to her -- and leave the dilapidated home of her outrageous if begrudgingly supportive father (Christopher Lloyd) -- J.R. begins to gamely, if not always gracefully, pursue his romantic and professional dreams -- with one foot persistently placed in Uncle Charlie's bar. The Tender Bar is based on the best-selling memoir of the same name by J.R. Moehringer.

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Critics Consensus

It's well-acted and suffused with a warm nostalgic glow, but none of that is enough to overcome The Tender Bar's sleepy, sentimental noodling.

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Audience Says

The Tender Bar could have been set higher, but a great cast helps this heartwarming story get where it needs to go.

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Christina Newland

iNews.co.uk

This movie is so likeably forgettable that it feels like amnesia in celluloid form.

Rated: 2/5

Sep 19, 2024

Full Review

Jason Bailey

Crooked Marquee

That its at least watchable is an improvement; that it is even occasionally enjoyable feels like a miracle. Clooney's worst instincts occasionally kick in, but generally speaking, its a pleasant enough diversion.

Rated: C+

Mar 19, 2022

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Stephen Romei

The Australian

The moments between JR and Uncle Charlie are full of tenderness, as the title suggests, and humour. Affleck is quietly brilliant...

Rated: 3.5/5

Jan 19, 2022

Full Review

Zach Pope

Zach Pope Reviews

A tender, charming, & easily the best directed George Clooney movie

Jul 26, 2023

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M.N. Miller

Ready Steady Cut

The Tender Bar is a feel-good, coming-of-age film with one of Ben Affleck’s best performances.

Rated: 3.5/5

Oct 21, 2022

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Chase Hutchinson

The Inlander (Spokane, WA)

The Tender Bar is content to serve you a stiff yet bland drink and chat it up without much of anything substantial to say.

Rated: 1/4

Sep 23, 2022

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Leslie

We liked the authenticity of life, the complexity of the relationships. The characters were relatable. The attention to detail at the various decades, the hairstyles, the clothing, facial hair, how people walked etc was tremendous.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/02/22

Full Review

Donna Hunley

Great movie but the end was not complete and left you hanging. Should have completed the ending and it would have been better

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/30/21

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Kathleen T

Ben Affleck was excellent, as was Christopher Lloyd. The young main character was great. However, the movie didnt get into depth for the significant points of conflict for the main character. And it was supposed to be Manhassatt Long Island. Anyone that grew up on Long Island could clearly tell that was not Long Island.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/29/21

Full Review

William

I liked it. A cool memoir about a kid that wanted to be a writer, but how his growing up with his uncle and friends helped shape his life.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/23/21

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David F

Yeesh… soooo boring. The best thing about it was that it couldn’t possibly offend anyone.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

04/24/25

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Nancy G

I loved this film! I thought it had a great acting, excellent writing and was a very enjoyable slice of life. It seemed realistic and with a good blend of libe and grit. I'd rate it a 95 and I give the soundtrack 100%

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/29/25

Full Review

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George Clooney

Director

Ben Affleck

Uncle Charlie

Tye Sheridan

J.R.

Lily Rabe

Dorothy

Christopher Lloyd

Grandpa

Max Martini

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The Tender Bar: Movie Clip - You Gotta Have It

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The Tender Bar: Trailer 1

2:34

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Synopsis

The Tender Bar tells the story of J.R. (Tye Sheridan), a fatherless boy growing up in the glow of a bar where the bartender, his Uncle Charlie (Ben Affleck), is the sharpest and most colorful of an assortment of quirky and demonstrative father figures. As the boy's determined mother (Lily Rabe) struggles to provide her son with opportunities denied to her -- and leave the dilapidated home of her outrageous if begrudgingly supportive father (Christopher Lloyd) -- J.R. begins to gamely, if not always gracefully, pursue his romantic and professional dreams -- with one foot persistently placed in Uncle Charlie's bar. The Tender Bar is based on the best-selling memoir of the same name by J.R. Moehringer.

Director: George Clooney
Producer: George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Ted Hope
Screenwriter: William Monahan
Distributor: Amazon Studios
Production Co: Big Indie Pictures, Smokehouse Pictures
Rating: R (Language Throughout|Some Sexual Content)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 22, 2021, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 7, 2022
Runtime: 1h 46m

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