[11] The script was rejected by many American directors, creating concerns for Foote and the producers that the film would never be made. Showing all 9 wins and 14 nominations. [72] Tender Mercies was released on VHS some time later, and was first released on DVD on June 22, 1999. [8], Mac's redemption and self-improvement run parallel with his conversion to Christianity. The music, just as the film does, perfectly captures Country & Western music as it existed in 1983, Texas, Robert Duvall (who did his own singing & guitar-playing) & the phenomenal Betty Buckley at their best. The screenplay by Horton Foote focuses on Mac Sledge, a recovering alcoholic country music singer who seeks to turn his life around through his relationship with a young widow and her son in rural Texas. With her help, … [16] Duvall collaborated with Beresford in deciding on the unusual staging of the emotional scene in which Mac sings it after reflecting on the reunion with his daughter. That's the case with Tender Mercies, a quietly luminous character piece about an alcoholic, washed-up country singer named Mac Sledge (Robert Duvall in an Oscar-winning performance) who hits bottom in a motel room one night and then slowly finds his way back into the land of the living with the help of the widow (Tess Harper) and her young son. [45], Tender Mercies also emphasizes the father–child theme common in the works of Foote, a theme that operates on both transcendent and temporal levels. Harry's not over there, Harry's not over here. He meets the owner, a young widow named Rosa Lee (Tess Harper), and offers to work in exchange for a room. But Duvall said the greatest crime of the runaway preacher in The Apostle was one of passion, not premeditation. The film also stars Josh Hartnett, Luciana Duvall and fellow sometime-singer, James Franco. 1983 Press Photo Actor Robert Duvall in "Tender Mercies" Movie - hcq24105 This is an original press photo. 92 Mins. ... Beresford's nice little movie seems so afraid to make a false move that it runs the danger of not moving at all. The town portrayed in the film is never identified by name. Horton Foote thought the choice made the scene more moving and called it "an extraordinary moment" in the film. Still, the absence of a single, sharply dramatic story line is a relatively small price to pay for the plainness and clarity with which these other issues are defined." I don't know now how we got through it, but we got through it. When country star Willie Nelson offered to help publicize it, a studio executive told Duvall she did not understand how the singer could contribute to the promotion, which Duvall said was indicative of the studio's failure to understand both the film and the country music genre. Scholar Rebecca Luttrell Briley suggests that although Mac begins to plant new roots with Rosa Lee and Sonny in earlier scenes, they are not enough to fully satisfy his desire for redemption, as he is nearly driven to leave the family and return to his alcoholic ways. "[52] At the urging of Rosa Lee, Mac begins to attend church regularly and is eventually baptized for the first time, along with Sonny. [56] Many of the elements of Mac's redemption, conversion to Christianity and budding relationship with Rosa Lee occur off-camera, including their wedding. Tender Mercies. "[10] Some media outlets reported that Duvall and Barkin were involved romantically for a brief time during filming. Directed by Gary Hertz. The interviews on the DVD extras tell an amazing story of the making of this movie. This is a great movie! [13] Beresford flew to New York and reportedly was ready to quit, until Duvall flew out to speak with him. [4] Foote sought to portray each character as realistic and flawed, but not unsympathetic. I've Decided to … oliversarmy March 5, 2010, 6:13am #5 But, let’s talk about Duvall in “Tender Mercies,” probably my favorite movie. Mac Sledge (Robert Duvall), a washed up, alcoholic country singer, awakens at a run-down Texas roadside motel and gas station after a night of heavy drinking. Following what Foote saw as a far more successful adaption of his 1968 play Tomorrow in 1972, his interest in filmmaking was rekindled, under the condition that he maintain some degree of control over the final product. Photo: Jeff Bridges (left) and Robert Duvall in Fox Searchlight Pictures' "Crazy Heart" "Crazy Heart" has been described as similar to your film "Tender Mercies." Starring Robert Duvall, Tess Harper, and Wilfred Brimley. 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. [24] When filming ended, Duvall gave her a blue cowgirl shirt as a gift with a card that read, "You really were Rosa Lee". [5], Foote took the script to Philip and Mary Ann Hobel, a married couple who ran Antron Media Production and had produced more than 200 documentaries between them. Eventually Sue Anne visits Mac, their first encounter since she was a baby. The Hobels approached EMI Films, a British film and television production company, which agreed to provide financing for Tender Mercies as long as Duvall remained involved, and under the condition the Hobels find a good director. [37][38], Roy M. Anker, Catching Light: Looking for God in the Movies[31], Mac Sledge finds redemption largely through his relationship and eventual marriage with Rosa Lee. Photo is dated 05-15-1983. "[80] Maslin said he "so thoroughly transformed into Mac that he even walks with a Texan's rolling gait"; she also complimented the performances of the supporting cast. Written and Sung by Robert Duvall. "Tender Mercies" won Robert Duvall his only Academy Award in six nominations. Scholar Robert Jewett compares this line to the first verse of Romans 12, in which Paul the Apostle appeals to Christians to live out their lives in service to others "through the mercies of God". Report This. [19] Duvall developed a strong, trusting relationship with Hubbard, which Foote felt improved the duo's on-screen chemistry. Behind every dream project, there's a dreamer. According to Briley, Sue Anne's visit prompts Mac to realize that reconciliation with her and a reformation of their father–daughter relationship is the ingredient that had been lacking in his quest for redemption. Mary Ann Hobel said the owner, when approached about its availability, immediately handed over the keys: "We said, 'Don't you want a contract, something in writing?' Sonny finds a father figure in Mac. Later, he secretly attends Dixie's concert. Log in Ask Question. The story completely unfolds, when Mac Sledge (Robert Duvall) meets a widow (Tess Harper), and the two fall and love and get married. Duvall sung both of these tunes, as well as the three tracks "Wings of a Dove", "It Hurts to Face Reality", and "If You'll Hold the Ladder (I'll Climb to the Top)", totalling five songs sung by Duvall in the movie. All I can remember is, ‘Shy Ann/Shy Ann, hop on my pony/There’s room here for two, never mind the alimony.’ That’s not the song at all!,” he says with a laugh. Beresford was so impressed with her that he cast her in the lead. "[76] Ansen said, "Robert Duvall does another of his extraordinary disappearing acts. [13] When filming on Diner wrapped, Barkin joked to her agent about future roles, "No more troubled teenagers, unless the movie is with Robert De Niro, Robert Duvall or Robert Redford. [13], Harper described the extent to which Duvall inhabited his character: "Someone once said to me, 'Well, how's Robert Duvall?' and he responds, "Yes ma'am, I guess I was," was based on an exchange that Foote overheard between a washed-up star and a fan. Rural romantic. The actor who shouted, "I love the smell of napalm in the morning!" It would be a good exercise for students to rewind the film and watch the scene several times (see the link below to watch just this scene). Is there a reason that happened? Tess Harper later claimed that Universal spent most of its advertising budget on, "If You'll Hold the Ladder (I'll Climb to the Top)", performed by Robert Duvall in, "Over You", performed by Betty Buckley in, Best Screenplay – Written Directly for the Screen, Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures, Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards, Best Drama Written Directly for the Screenplay, "Delicate Prose Marked Work Of Screenwriter Foote", "Tender Mercies :: rogerebert.com :: Great Movies", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tender_Mercies&oldid=1000179990, Films featuring a Best Actor Academy Award-winning performance, Films featuring a Best Drama Actor Golden Globe winning performance, Films whose writer won the Best Original Screenplay Academy Award, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, "Over You" – Austin Roberts and Bobby Hart, Best Young Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture, This page was last edited on 14 January 2021, at 00:07. 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