A musician struggling with addiction tries to rebuild his life when he finds work at a motel and gas station in rural Texas. Tess Harper plays the single mother who runs the establishment between Dallas and Austin, and she takes on Robert Duvall, a man burdened by debt and past failures. The story reveals him to be a former country music star. “Tender Mercies,” released in 1983, is a quietly unfolding drama situated in the Texas countryside. It shares qualities with films like "Resurrection" and “Coal Miner’s Daughter," as well as “The Apostle.” While it surpasses "Resurrection," it doesn't quite reach the level of those other movies. People who appreciate gentle narratives, similar to “Places in the Heart,” may find this one particularly appealing. Twenty-six years later, a reimagining of this story appeared with Jeff Bridges in “Crazy Heart,” and Duvall also appears in that film. Tess Harper brings a charming simplicity to her role, while Betty Buckley delivers an excellent performance as the ex-wife and country singer, Dixie; the movie gains energy whenever she sings. Ellen Barkin is memorable as the teenage daughter, even though she was older than the character's age at the time of filming—she convincingly portrays an 18-year-old. Similarly, Harper and Duvall are a bit beyond the ages they’re meant to be, but that doesn’t detract significantly from the film. The movie incorporates a sense of spirituality and thoughtfully explores difficult religious themes through subtle storytelling. The film's length is one hour and 32 minutes, and it was filmed in Palmer, Texas, located about thirty minutes south of Dallas. GRADE: B/B-

Source on TMDB