Sunday, June 04, 2006

Tender Mercies - 1983

This movie starts with a drunken Mac Sledge (Robert Duvall) waking up in a small motel in Texas. He's been abandoned by his friends and has no money to pay for the room. The hotel owner (Tess Harper) agrees to let him work it off but won't allow him to drink while working. Time passes and Mac has sobered up and fallen in love. He marries the owner and becomes a stepdad to her son.
More time passes and we discover that Mac used to be a country singer of some aclaim. He also has an ex-wife and daughter. His attempt to contact them with a new song he's written ends with lots of shouting. He's not welcome.
Meanwhile, a small town band has discovered that he's there and they become friends. He lets them use his new songs. They want him to record a record with him. His daughter reestablishes contact with him. She marries poorly and has a tragic ending.
This movie plays some interesting themes. The most interesting to me was that of a performer who missed what he did but didn't know how to go back doing it. The acting is good in an understated way. Overall, this movie is nothing special. Good, but largely forgotten.

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