IMDb >
Tender Mercies (1983)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsTender Mercies (1983) More at IMDbPro »
| Videos |
|
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer:
Horton Foote (written by)
Release Date:
10 June 1983 (Australia)
more
Tagline:
Robert Duvall is Mac Sledge, down and out country singer. His struggle for fame was over. His fight for respect was just beginning more
Plot:
A broken-down, middle-aged country singer gets a new wife, reaches out to his long-lost daughter, and tries to put his troubled life back together. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Singer
|
Widow
|
Songwriter
|
Guitar
|
Behind The Scenes
more
Awards:
Won 2 Oscars.
Another 6 wins
&
10 nominations
more
NewsDesk:
(10 articles)
Great New Poster for 'Crazy Heart' with Jeff Bridges
(From Get The Big Picture. 14 November 2009, 11:59 AM, PST)
Austin Represents at Lone Star Film Festival
(From Slackerwood. 10 November 2009, 6:24 AM, PST)
(From Get The Big Picture. 14 November 2009, 11:59 AM, PST)
Austin Represents at Lone Star Film Festival
(From Slackerwood. 10 November 2009, 6:24 AM, PST)
User Comments:
A Good Film Carried by Robert Duvall's Oscar-Winning Performance
more (45 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Robert Duvall | ... | Mac Sledge |
 | Tess Harper | ... | Rosa Lee |
 | Betty Buckley | ... | Dixie |
 | Wilford Brimley | ... | Harry |
 | Ellen Barkin | ... | Sue Anne |
| Allan Hubbard | ... | Sonny |
 | Lenny von Dohlen | ... | Robert (as Lenny Von Dohlen) |
| Paul Gleason | ... | Reporter |
| Michael Crabtree | ... | Lewis Menefee |
| Norman Bennett | ... | Reverend Hotchkiss |
| Andrew Scott Hollon | ... | Larue |
| Rick Murray | ... | Jake - Slater Mill Boys Member |
| Stephen Funchess | ... | Bertie - Slater Mill Boys Member |
| Glen Fleming | ... | Steve - Slater Mill Boys Member |
| James Aaron | ... | Henry - Slater Mill Boys Member |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
100 min | 92 min (TCM print)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Singapore:PG |
Iceland:L |
Argentina:Atp |
Australia:PG |
Chile:TE |
Finland:S |
Sweden:Btl |
USA:PG (PCA #26678) |
UK:PG
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
'Robert Duvall (I)' is really singing in the nightclub scene.
more
Quotes:
Woman with Groceries:
Hey, mister, were you really Mac Sledge?
Mac Sledge: Yes, ma'm, I guess I was.
more
Mac Sledge: Yes, ma'm, I guess I was.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Howard Stern on Demand: Robert Duvall" (2006)
more
Soundtrack:
If You'll Hold the Ladder (I'll Climb to the Top)
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (45 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Tender Mercies (1983) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Short Cuts | The Night of the Hunter | The Sweet Hereafter | The Last Picture Show | Giant |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Drama section | IMDb USA section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |
"Tender Mercies" is a strong character study about a washed-up country singer (Robert Duvall, in his Oscar-winning role) who finds the will to live and makes the most of his life. After spending a drunken night at a small motel in Texas, he meets the woman (Tess Harper) who can change his life for the better. She owns the motel and after allowing Duvall to stay for a while by doing odd jobs, she marries him and he starts his transformation. Duvall still has songs to sing, but his heart is just not in it any more. His ex-wife has become a singing star, partly by using the songs that Duvall wrote himself. She has also kept their daughter away from him because she was afraid he might do something in a drunken rage. Duvall comes to terms with everything and shows that he is a changed man. He meets his now-grown daughter (Ellen Barkin) and realizes that everything that has happened has occurred for the right reason. However, tragedy will strike and Duvall will have to show how great a person he really is. "Tender Mercies" is a film that works due to quiet performances, subtle direction, and a smart screenplay. The film runs a crisp 89 minutes, but never feels rushed. Robert Duvall finally got the chance to showcase his acting ability and he does not disappoint. His performance is the greatest attribute here, but this does not mean that everything else is not impressive. 4.5 out of 5 stars.