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 | It feels almost criminal not to give the obligatory five stars and effusive accolades to this film. But, expecting a prototype of The Apostle, I was a little let down by Tender Mercies. Both films deal with the similar theme of redemption, of getting a second chance in life, but The Apostle hits you much harder. In that film, Duvall takes you on a rollercoaster ride from hell to heaven. Tender Mercies does not. It takes a quieter road and this doesn't always help it. As one reviewer said, it has a 'laconic sparseness,' much like its high plains backdrop. And sometimes this skeleton would have done better with a bit more meat on its bones. Duvall can't be faulted though. His performance as Mac Sledge, down and out ex-country legend, tormented by alcohol and the debris of divorce, is first class. Mac is taut and restrained. None of the explosive volatility of Sonny from the Apostle. By holding back, Duvall can still say everything and does, but I would have liked to have seen more tears, more rages. Having hit rock bottom in some podunk Texas motel room, salvation arrives in the form of Tess Harper's character. A Vietnam widow, she eeks out a living for herself and for her son by managing a rundown motel. She decides to give her boozy tenant a chance to start over in life. Seeing what he was and what he could still be, her faith in Mac inspires him to change. The only problem is that Tess's character doesn't really work. She doesn't have any depth. We never know why she opens her heart to this stranger. Ok, love...but their relationship is pretty passionless. At least from her side. With her simple wholesomeness and quiet piety, she seems a mere foil to Mac's worn-out worldliness. The characters of Mac's ex and daughter are far more fleshed out. And better acted as well. Mac's ex seethes with the bitterness of their divorce and thus gives the film a jolt of life with her high strung antics. Jealous of Mac both professionally and personally, she can't accept his new life, his new happiness. Their daughter, played by Ellen Barkin, is the surprise of the film. Without a doubt, the best female character of the film, she subtly plays out the pains of a girl in search of her daddy. Whom she nevers really finds. Again, the complexities of the father-daughter relationship are poignantly hinted at, but taken no further..... As is the spiritual change that inspires Mac to become baptized in the local church. What's the motivation behind it? Merely love for Tess's character or did he himself feel the need for it? Unexplored territory. Such unanswered questions often times increase the suspense of things, but here, too little was just too little. The ending though makes up for these grey areas. Tragedy stikes as one door of life is closed and another opens. Mac dies to his past so he can start again. But at a tremendous cost. With the ending, Beresford does a truly masterful job of mixing pain with hope, as the ultimate message of the film is revealed. The Lord does indeed shower us with His 'tender mercies.' As He taketh, He giveth. Tender Mercies, despite its flaws, is indeed a powerful story. Well worth the watch and for Duvall fans, a must. A taste treat, it gives a hint of even better things to come. |
