FRIDAY MOVIE SUGGESTION NIGHT PRESENTS: "TENDER MERCIES"!

Yeah, I liked the Italian movie poster better, so I used it!
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Back when there still was a Texas Film Commission, I hosted their Annual Awards Night for three years in a row, and while it was great fun meeting so many wonderful actors and actresses such as Shirley McClaine, Chuck Norris, Sheree J. Wilson and others, I was pleased to have met Tess Harper (who appears in our movie selection for tomorrow night). Unfortunately, I never met the multi-talented Robert DuVall. From his roles as a cab driver in Steve McQueen's "Bullitt", to "The Godfather" trilogy as a mob lawyer, to a criminal in Clint Eastwood's "Joe Kidd", a beat cop with Sean Penn in "Colors", the original motion picture M*A*S*H as kooky "Frank Burns", to "Lonesome Dove", I predict that this highly versatile actor will one day receive a Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Film Institute--that's my prediction. Why pick this film? Well, for one thing it is low-key.

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While I am (for once) safely tucked away in the majestic "Valley" of Phoenix, Arizona where it was 66 degrees to my hometown of Cincinnati's 19 degrees (with ice storms predicted), I am very aware of just how many of you have braved the Winter with colds, the flu and worse. So, this film is perfect to light the fireplace, and (go ahead and laugh, I can't hear you) pour some Bailey's Irish Cream straight up into a coffee mug to sip on with a movie that is easy to love. Director Bruce Beresford adapted Horton Foote's story of an former country singer-turned alcoholic named Mac Sledge whose fame rivaled today's popularity of George Straight. His days of fighting for fame are behind him, and his life appears to have stalled at a dead-end. But fate lends a hand when he makes friends with a young widow (Tess Harper) and her son (Allan Hubbard). His life also takes an upward turn when he finds the strength to give up drinking and he eventually meets his long-estranged daughter (a brief but very memorable performance given by Ellen Barkin). After a lot of anguish, he summons up the courage to pick up the guitar again, and he discovers that his songwriting ability is still intact! I won't give away the whole movie when I smile and mention a favorite scene of mine: when a young up-and-coming country band manages to locate Sledge in a small Texas town for advice and mentoring. Duvall's understated mannerisms reveal the fear of his once soaring past that these young guys have unintentionally tapped into. Here are two worlds: the world of musical fame from the past, and the present-day perspectives Duvall's character comes to experience off stage. Overall, this is a story of Hope and of newfound happiness, through dire circumstances and gratitude for the blessings of "tender mercies" that each of us hopefully experiences.

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Tess Harper in some regards became over-associated with her role in this movie that seemed to dog her at seemingly every Hollywood occasion. "And here's Tess Harper from 'Tender Mercies' ". I don't remember how long she endured that. But she is a fine actress along with Betty Buckley (here as Duvall's first wife) who also has a beautiful and strong singing voice. I tend to forget that she was in the original ensemble of "Cats" where she sand "Memory". A caution: you do NOT have to be a fan of country music to appreciate some wonderful songs here, none of which made their way to Country radio when this film debuted way back in 1983. But it's nicely done and simple.

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The Cast: Robert Duvall is Mac Sledge; Tess Harper is Rosa Lee; Betty Buckley is Dixie; Wilford Brimley is Harry; Ellen Barkin is Sue Anne and Allan Hubbard is Sonny. 1984 ACADEMY AWARDS WIN: to Robert Duvall as Best Actor in a Leading Role and Horton Foote for Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen. You will love this one!

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Enjoy, and I'll see all of you after
The NPF Gala!