The Tender Bar

R

Released Dec 22, 2021

1 hr. 46 min.

Comedy

Drama

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List

51%

186 Reviews

Tomatometer

70%

500+ Ratings

Audience Score

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 Consensus

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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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

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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

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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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Igor S

I loved this movie very much. Particularly, Ben Affleck's character, as it reminded me of certain times of my own life and some people i knew/know. All the characters and scenes were depicted in a very realistic way. It brought me back in time. Then around the middle or a bit further, it started to lose some steam, particularly due to some choices, but i understood why those were made and i was still very invested in how it would all play out. I never read the memoir but George Clooney did a great here, and as i said, Ben Affleck was phenomenal here. His character will stay with me forever, as i once had to fulfill that role and also had someone, in some sinilar ways, trying to guide me in my own life. I would have given it 5 stars, if it weren't for that loss of steam around the middle or a bit later.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/19/24

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Carissa C

I really enjoyed this movie. Great acting and story.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/13/24

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George Clooney

Director

Ben Affleck

Uncle Charlie

Tye Sheridan

J.R.

Lily Rabe

Dorothy

Christopher Lloyd

Grandpa

Max Martini

The Voice

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The Tender Bar: Movie Clip - You Gotta Have It

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The Tender Bar: Trailer 1

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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

Full Review

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

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Ty Burr

Ty Burr's Watch List

Affleck makes Charlie simultaneously lazy, acute, hard-nosed, and gentle, and the timing in his line delivery is phenomenal.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jan 7, 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

Full Review

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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
Executive Producer: Barbara A. Hall, J.R. Moehringer
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

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