Tender Mercies (1983)

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.

Director:

Bruce Beresford

Writer:

Horton Foote

Stars:

Robert Duvall, Tess Harper, Betty Buckley

Won 2 Oscars. Another 8 wins & 10 nominations.

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

Storyline

Alchoholic former country singer Mac Sledge makes friends with a young widow and her son. The friendship enables him to find inspiration to resume his career.

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Plot Keywords:

singer | widow | behind the scenes | alcoholism | reunion | 

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Taglines:

Robert Duvall is Mac Sledge, His fight for respect was just beginning.

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Genres:

Drama | Music

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 June 1983 (Australia)

Also Known As:

El precio de la felicidad

Filming Locations:

Palmer, Texas, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Antron Media Production, EMI Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min 92 min (TCM print)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

"Over You" is sung by the actors in the film, but the soundtrack version is sung by Lane Brody (of "Yellow Rose of Texas" fame). This song was nominated for an Oscar, and the Lane Brody version was nominated for an Academy of Country Music award.

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Goofs

In the final scenes, Sonny is shown with empty farmland behind him, then after a cut to a wider shot, suddenly the gas station and motel are behind him.

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Quotes

Woman with Groceries: Hey, mister, were you really Mac Sledge?
Mac Sledge: Yes, ma'm, I guess I was.

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Connections

Featured in Miracles & Mercies (2002)

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Soundtracks

"Wings of a Dove"
Written by Bob Ferguson
Sung by Robert Duvall

User Reviews

Laid back movie with a surprising emotional impact

This is a great, great film. Robert Duvall richly deserved the Oscar he won for Best Actor, and Bruce Beresford's direction is quirky but consistently entertaining.

The most wonderful aspect of this movie is how the screenwriter (Horton Foote) doesn't let the characters engage in all the obvious, "Hollywood" histrionics that the plot would allow them to do. For example: when Mack (Duvall) finally meets his long-lost daughter late in the film, he doesn't run to her and embrace her with tears staining his face while music swells beneath the scene, as a hack director would have him do. Instead, he looks at his shoes, makes small talk, and acts embarrassed. Why? Because, consistently throughout the film, he doesn't believe he deserves the good things that come his way.

This is the tale of a man who, in the absolute pit of despair and hopelessness, is saved by the love of a good woman and the love of God. You need to see it.