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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 09/19/2023
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. Go to Full Review Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times 06/20/2018
4/4
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. Go to Full Review Julian Singleton Cinapse Jul 12
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. Go to Full Review Ian Kane Epoch Times 02/13/2023
4.5/5
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.” Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy 08/16/2020
3.5/4
An unfussy and unassuming gem. Go to Full Review Molly Haskell Vogue 02/27/2020
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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Vincent S @Vin_E_At_The_Movies 2d Robert Duvall gives one of the best performances anyone has ever given on a movie screen. It is a flawless, nuanced, lived in, subtle work of pure craftsmanship. Tess Harper is also outstanding and the cast is perfect. The writing here is wise, smart, haunting, beautiful and the music is glorious. Bruce Beresford has directed a lived-in emotional masterpiece. See more Carin Feb 22 I first saw this movie in 1983 and then here and there parts of of it but always remembered the greatness of the film. It holds up this many years later its a no brainer this was Robert Duvall award winning film. A film to cherish and watch and enjoy See more STEPHEN P @IslandAdventurer Jun 10 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. See more Andrew M 10/11/2024 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. See more Leaburn O 09/16/2024 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. See more Alec B @Alec97 02/21/2024 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. See more 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

Tender Mercies (1983) Tender Mercies (1983) Tender Mercies (1983) View more photos

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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