Tender Mercies (1983)

Synopsis of Tender Mercies

Mac Sledge (Robert Duvall), a once-famous country western singer, wakes up broke, alone and hung over in a tiny Texas motel run by widowed Rosa Lee (Tess Harper). Having nowhere else to go, Sledge takes a job at the motel, and through the kindness and faith of Rosa he changes his self-destructive ways. He marries Rosa (after he's baptized at her urging) and becomes a father/pal to her son (Allan Hubbard). Given an opportunity to make a comeback, Sledge considers leaving his new family behind, but after a reunion with his own unhappy daughter (Ellen Barkin), he vows never again to ruin anyone else's life. A simple story simply told, Tender Mercies is a warm, persuasive tale of redemption, with Robert Duvall giving one of his finest performances. Also appearing is Betty Buckley as Duvall's ex-wife, a Dolly Parton-type country star, and Wilford Brimley as Duvall's former manager. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:

92 mins

Director(s):

Bruce Beresford

Writer(s):

Horton Foote

Producer(s):

Horton Foote, Robert Duvall, Philip Hobel

Theatrical MPAA Rating:

PG(Adult Language, Adult Situations, Questionable for Children)

• 1983 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama
• 1983 - Los Angeles Film Critics Association - Best Actor
• 1983 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Actor

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