The Tender Bar

I really enjoyed this one. It has a phenomenal soundtrack, with some heartwarming moments and great performance by Ben Affleck as Uncle Charlie - the Uncle we all wish we had.

In some ways, it reminded me of Hillbilly Elegy. It's a solid coming-of-age film with a refreshing softness. The atmosphere of the film is infectious - we could all do with some of those bar characters in our corner.

Ron Livingston was well suited as narrator. It was also great to see Christopher Lloyd as the farting Grandpa - he's on a roll these days. I also thought Tye Sheridan held his own alongside the likes of Affleck. Lily Rabe really excelled at being JR's loving mother who just wants him to do well in life.

There are some laughs, some emotional moments, and a few thought-provoking lines. It's not short on inspiration for aspiring writers either. It's about life. It's about the people who help shape us, and it's about the importance of a writer finding their voice.

It's 1973. JR (Daniel Ranieri) and his mother (Lily Rabe) have to move back in with her father (Christopher Lloyd). It's a house full of extended family including Uncle Charlie (Ben Affleck). JR doesn't know his long-absent irresponsible father and Uncle Charlie who owns a local bar becomes his father figure. As an older kid, JR (Tye Sheridan) fulfills his mother's wish for higher education.

There are interesting moments of humanity and humor within an extended non-dramatic coming-of-age story. This is really a series of vignettes of his early life. Director George Clooney is a good workman but this story needs something extra. As it stands, it probably would work better as TV show. I kept thinking the kid needs some friends. Of course, the central theme is the father figure in a young boy's life. The movie needs to concentrate harder on that. Quite frankly, the movie needs more Ben Affleck. He has to sell this. He can't be a side character. I'm not sure if Clooney has the vision as a director.

[UPDATE. AN UNBELIEVABLE AWARDS-SNUB BY THE ACADEMY!!) Clooney directs a highly capable ensemble cast in this intimate feel-good coming of age film based on the memoirs of J. R. Moehringer.

The adapted screenplay by William Monahan tells Moehringer's true story of an underdog finding his way from childhood to adulthood, while pursuing an ivy league education, and his dream of a writing career (including publishing his real-life memoirs that this film is based upon), despite the odds stacked against him of near-poverty, an alcoholic abusive father that abandoned the family, and a dysfunctional (but caring and committed) extended three-generation family.

Ben Affleck plays the boy's well-read self-educated uncle who takes over the reigns of his birth father, and together with his dedicated mother (Lily Rabe), and grandfather (Christopher Lloyd), help guide him (as best they can) along his journey through childhood to adulthood.

The story is interesting, meaningful, and ultimately inspirational, avoiding the cliche' Hollywood treatment that often makes such films unbelievable.

A low key film like this one that makes you reflect and captures your emotional involvement without manipulating is a rare treat indeed.

Clooney directs, teaming with past collaborators Martin Ruhe behind the camera, and Tanya Swerling as Editor, bringing this story to fruition in under two hours.

Oddly, a scene that was partially cut out from the middle of the film, becomes additional-footage shown while credits roll...I deducted points for this uneven editing decision, and don't understand why it wasn't simply pasted back to complete the scene. Regardless, stay with it til the end, as it's worth seeing.

Understanding the awards machine has tilted towards "agendas" of late, I'm not making a prediction for The Tender Bar. However, Affleck has already received both a Golden Globe and SAG nomination, so that at least indicates some sense will be applied this year in voting. That being said, this will be one of the most competitive years ever for Lead Actor awards... If Affleck gets nominated for an Oscar (he should), that alone is amazing. If he wins (he could), he knocks out a handful of the very best performances. Stay tuned...

[EDIT: Tinder Bar receives my "2nd Annual Oscar Snub Award" for the Academy's complete disregard for the film, and especially Ben Affleck who earned but did not receive a nomination, despite the Golden Globes and SAG Awards honoring him with such.]

Films like this don't come along every year, and I'm very thankful this one did.

Bravo to everyone involved 👏.

👍👍

This year's entry in the poor kid who makes it as a writer awards bait entry. Like last year's HILLBILLY ELEGY, George Clooney's movie laddles on the woes and miseries while always trying to assure the audience that it will be all right in the end -- it's a memoir, after all (J. R. Moehringer).

Ben Affleck plays Uncle Charlie (literally "Uncle Charlie") who becomes a mentor to the author, JR (Daniel Ranieri as a tyke; Tye Sheridan as a college student). Affleck is good here, even if the character is idealized - yes, he's a bartender still living with his father, but he's also wicked smarht! Ranieri is a decent child actor, but Sheridan is more annoying than heroic here. Briana Middleton is winning as JR's on again, off again girlfriend, but one never gets why she's be attracted to him. Lily Rabe and Chrisopher Lloyd do fine, but they are playing cliches.

More crucially, the viewer never gets a true glimpse of JR's supposed writing talent. It's all second hand - "that kid's got it!" William Monahan's screenplay plays it safe and to the middle, and Clooney doesn't really give it much style, either.

The movie was good. Very touching and heartwarming, with a great sense of time and place. A little uneven at times. But Affleck gives what I think is his best, most real performance. Not his usual movie star stuff. He should be nominated for an Oscar for this.