THE TENDER BAR – A Review by Cynthia Flores
Amazon Studios has given us an easy-paced story based on the best-selling memoir of the same name by J.R. Moehringer. Directed by George Clooney, the film has a great ensemble cast with Ben Affleck at the center of it as the beloved Uncle Charlie. This is one of Affleck’s least overwrought performances; he lives in the character in an easy natural manner. Also, the chemistry between Affleck and the young J.R (Daniel Ranieri) and the adult J.R. (Tye Sheridan) is touching, adding a sense of genuineness to the film.
The Tender Bar is a heart-warming story about J.R., a fatherless boy growing up in the glow of a bar where the bartender, his Uncle Charlie, is the sharpest and most colorful of an assortment of quirky and demonstrative father figures.
There is nothing flashy or groundbreaking in this movie and that’s alright. The Tender Bar takes its time telling the story of love between an uncle and his talented nephew. It’s refreshing to see a story of family love and support for a young boy abandoned by an SOB of a father. Most stories with that in the plot end tragically. The fact it’s a memoir makes it all the more touching.
I give The Tender Bar a 3.5-star rating. It’s a sweet film with nice moments about how a boy becomes a good man.
Directed by: George Clooney
Written by: William Monahan from the book by J.R. Moehringer
Rated: R
Selig Rating: 3.5 Stars
Running Time: 1h 44min
Drama
Wide Theatrical Release: December 17th and available on Amazon Prime January 7th
Starring: Ben Affleck, Tye Sheridan, Daniel Ranieri, Lily Rabe
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie, well worth the price.
4 Stars – Good movie
3 Stars – OK movie
2 Stars – No need to rush. Save it for a rainy day.
1 Star – Good that I saw it on the big screen but wish I hadn’t paid for it.
