The Tender Bar

[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 👏.

👍👍

There is Uncle Charlie, bartender ( Ben Affleck) in a bar named "The Dickens" inspired by Charles Dickens and instead of liquor bottles in the cabinet he has a collection of books. Something more unusual is that he doles out serious advice to young 10 year old boy JR ( Daniel Ranieri) on how an ideal man should behave. This movie is based on the memoirs of famous journalist JR Moehringer, and chronicles his growth from a boy to a young man studying at Yale and later aspiring to be a writer.

JR has gone through a troubled childhood without a father, has been through a turbulent manhood ( getting dumped 9 times, getting rejected for a job) but learns a lot from Uncle Charlie constantly. ( Later in life Uncle Charlie tells him to select philosophy as a subject since there are no right answers in this subject). JR's mom however has been supporting him throughout and this keeps him going as he navigates his ups and downs. A heart-warming scene has young JR attending a " Breakfast with dad" session in school with his grandpa standing in for his missing father.

A warm, sentimental film embellished with some good acting by Ben Affleck who carries the film well and gives it class. Young Daniel Ranieri is lovable and plays his role like a seasoned professional. Credit to the handsome hunk behind the camera, that is director George Clooney who has done a competent job. The movie has a foot tapping soundtrack of, believe it or not, around thirty numbers which add to the entertainment value of the movie. The movie ends on a positive note for JR as he says that unlike the selection process to become a lawyer, one has only to have self belief and can become a writer when one is ready.

This is an Amazon original movie, my wife and I watched it at home streaming on Amazon. It is set mostly on Long Island and in Connecticut but was filmed in various Massachusetts locations.

The movie is really two parts and they cut back and forth. The older part is in the early 1970s when young JR and his mother deal with their situation by moving back to her parents' home, dad is a radio voice and mostly absent. JR's uncle (Affleck in a good role) operates his own bar and gives young JR some life advice. Mom wants JR to go to Yale and become a lawyer, but JR decides he wants to be a writer.

The other half is in the 1980s when JR is at Yale, then later when he starts to get jobs as a reporter. Woven in are his frustrations with the girl he falls for but she never seems to be able to choose just him.

All in all a good and interesting movie ultimately about JR's coming of age.

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.

There is a group of people who have troubled the cinema, and this mass is fed only by spreading negative energy.

George Clooney and Ben Affleck have been targeted by such people throughout their careers.

The film, which Clooney did a very clean job, attracts people especially with its 70's texture.

Intelligently chosen actors and actresses, excellent selection of songs, cinematography, art direction are very good.

The script is already a book adaptation.

Tye Sheridan is my favorite generation Z actor. He showed her talent in this movie as well.

A very good 'Coming of Age' movie is waiting for you and the movie gives you more than what it promises in this sense.