Robert Duvall (Apocalypse Now) is Mac Sledge, a down and out country singer. His struggle with fame was over. His fight for respect was just beginning as he struggles with alcohol and depression.His ex-wife, Dixie (Betty Buckley, Frantic), with whom he had a tortured life, will not allow him to see their 18-year-old daughter Sue Ann (Ellen Barkin, Sea of love) and she is now making popular the songs Mac had written and sung. Mac's new family, Rosa Lee (Tess Harper, No Country For Old Men) and her son Sonny, will not let his heartbreaks bring him down again. Together they are determined to find happiness and success.From Bruce Beresford, acclaimed director of Breaker Morant and written by Horton Foote, screenwriter of To Kill A Mockingbird.
Critic Reviews:
- " An unfussy and unassuming gem. " – Matt Brunson (Film Frenzy)
- " Tender Mercies won Robert Duvall his only Academy Award in six nominations. It contains one of his most understated performances. It's mostly done with his eyes. " – Roger Ebert (Chicago Sun-Times)
- " Little gem of a film complements Duvall's later film “The Apostle” " – Robert Roten (Laramie Movie Scope)