Tender Mercies (1983): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Tender Mercies is a 1983 music drama directed by Bruce Beresford, starring Robert Duvall, Tess Harper and Allan Hubbard. It runs 1 hour 32 minutes and earned $8.4 million worldwide. It won 2 Oscars, including Actor in a Leading Role and Writing (Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen). Critics gave it 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.3/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 32m (92 min)
- Director
- Bruce Beresford
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Universal Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Tender Mercies About?
The premise of Tender Mercies without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A former country music star, struggling with past failures, finds himself adrift and seeking a fresh start. He takes shelter in a small-town motel and unexpectedly connects with Rosa Lee, a kind widow, and her young son. Finding comfort in their simple lives and Rosa Lee’s compassion, Mac begins a path toward healing and redemption. However, a potential comeback in the music industry arises, presenting a difficult choice between the peace he’s found and the allure of his former career.
Tender Mercies Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- hixploitation
- singer
- widow
- mother son relationship
- mother daughter relationship
- family relationships
- wealth
- wandering
- texas
- stepfather
- song
- small town
+38 more Show fewer
- roadside motel
- reunion
- religion
- present
- prayer
- music industry
- motel
- manager
- love
- loss of husband
- loss of father
- loss of daughter
- live performance
- jukebox
- jealousy
- husband wife relationship
- hope of reconciliation
- guitar
- gas station
- forgiveness
- football
- father son relationship
- father daughter relationship
- father daughter estrangement
- fame
- drifter
- death of loved one
- comeback
- church
- bar
- band
- artist
- alcoholism
- 1980s
- redemption
- musician
- songwriter
- behind the scenes
Tender Mercies Cast
Robert Duvall leads the cast, with Tess Harper and Allan Hubbard. Directed by Bruce Beresford; 10 actors are credited in all.
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Director Bruce Beresford
Also Starring in Tender Mercies
· 6 moreMore from Bruce Beresford
More films directed by Bruce Beresford, best-rated first: Ladies in Black, Driving Miss Daisy, Breaker Morant and Evelyn.
Tender Mercies Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Tender Mercies 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.3/10.
-
IMDb 7.3 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 76 Metascore
User score 7.4
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 67% User score
See on TMDB
Tender Mercies Plot Summary
What happens in Tender Mercies from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Mac Sledge, portrayed by Robert Duvall, is a washed-up country singer whose life has spiraled into a haze of alcoholism. Awakening one morning in a dilapidated motel and gas station situated in Texas, he encounters Rosa Lee, a young widow played by Tess Harper. Seeking shelter, Mac proposes to work for Rosa Lee in exchange for a room, under her condition that he abstains from alcohol while employed. Rosa Lee, still mourning her husband who perished in the Vietnam War, is struggling to care for their son, Sonny, who is brought to life by Allan Hubbard.
Full summary
The whole story of Tender Mercies, scene by scene
Tender Mercies Box Office
Tender Mercies grossed $8.4 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$8.4M
- US & Canada
- $8.4M
Tender Mercies Awards & Nominations
Tender Mercies won 2 Oscars, including Actor in a Leading Role and Writing (Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen). Its biggest night was the Oscars 1984, with 2 wins from 5 nominations.
2 wins11 nominations3 ceremonies
-
Oscars 1984 2 wins · 5 nominations- Won Actor in a Leading Role – Robert Duvall
- Won Writing (Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen)
- Nominated Best Picture
- Nominated Directing – Bruce Beresford
- Nominated Music (Original Song)
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Golden Globes 1984 5 nominations- Nominated Best Director – Bruce Beresford
- Nominated Best Motion Picture – Drama
- Nominated Best Original Song
- Nominated Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama – Robert Duvall
- Nominated Best Supporting Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama, Comedy or Musical – Tess Harper
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DGA Awards 1984 1 nomination- Nominated Feature Film – Bruce Beresford
Tender Mercies Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 clip.
- Clip Tender Mercies - Trailer
How Well Do You Know Tender Mercies?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is Mac Sledge's profession?
Cars in Tender Mercies
29 cars on screen, including the 1971 Chevrolet C-10 and the 1971 Ford Econoline.
-
1971 Chevrolet C-10 Main role -
1971 Ford Econoline Important role -
1964 Chevrolet C-Series Minor role -
1976 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Minor role
Tender Mercies Also Known As
20 alternative titles, including “Comeback der Liebe” and “På nåd och onåd”.
- Also known as
-
- Comeback der Liebe
- På nåd och onåd
- 温柔的怜悯
- Tender Mercies - Un tenero ringraziamento
- Az Úr kegyelméből
- Gracias y favores
- Pod czułą kontrolą
- 텐더 머시스
- Нежное милосердие
- A Força do Carinho
- Amor e Compaixão
- Den sidste drøm
+8 more Show fewer
- Nežno milosrđe
- Sangen til livet
- Sevecenlik
- Tendre bonheur
- Τρυφερές Σχέσεις
- Нежно милосърдие
- テンダー・マーシー
- สุภาพบุรุษนักเพลง
Seen Tender Mercies?
Movies Like Tender Mercies
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Tender Age, Country Strong and The Tender Bar.
Tender Mercies FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Tender Mercies, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Tender Mercies?
Tender Mercies runs 1 hour 32 minutes (92 minutes).
When was Tender Mercies released?
Tender Mercies was released on March 4, 1983.
Who directed Tender Mercies?
Tender Mercies was directed by Bruce Beresford.
More films by Bruce Beresford Who is in the cast of Tender Mercies?
Tender Mercies stars Robert Duvall, Tess Harper and Allan Hubbard, among 10 credited actors.
How much did Tender Mercies make at the box office?
Tender Mercies grossed $8.4 million worldwide.
How is Tender Mercies rated?
Tender Mercies has 7.3/10 on IMDb, 76 on Metacritic and 67% on TMDB.
What awards did Tender Mercies win?
Tender Mercies won 2 awards from 11 nominations, including Actor in a Leading Role at the Oscars 1984.
Does Tender Mercies have a post-credit scene?
No. Tender Mercies has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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