What Is the Story About?
The Tender Bar is a coming of age drama of a young kid JR (Daniel Ranieri) who is struggling due to daddy issues. JR’s father has left him as a small kid and he grows up under the guidance of his uncle Charlie (Ben Affleck). How JR overcomes the challenges thrown at him and emerges a ‘Man’ is the movie’s basic plot.
Performances?
Even though Ben Affleck plays a supporting part, his impact stays over everything. He is the guiding force of the narrative. It is a simplistic part for the star that requires him to be at his most causal self. Ben Affleck does it with ease and abundant understated style. It is memorable in that way but doesn’t have anything extraordinary from him as a performer.
Analysis
Noted actor cum director George Clooney directs The Tender Bar. It is based on a novel of the same name and is a coming of age tale of a young guy.
The setting of The Tender Bar is simple. We get where the movie is headed (almost) from the beginning. What makes predictable narratives like these engaging are good casting, writing and neat performances. The Tender Bar checks all the boxes.
Right from the start, there is a warmth in the narrative due to the character of Charlie. His bond with JR and the simple life lessons he gives him is the mainstay of the movie. They are universally identifiable and will make an instant connection.
The first bump in the narrative comes when JR grows up and joins Yale. Here we see a little matured version of him from the childhood days. Soon a love story develops between JR and Sidney. It begins well but gets repetitive as it progresses. Again, it is not a problem initially, but the way continues further gives a dragging feeling.
Apart from the love angle, the real issue for JR happens to be with his father. The way this track resurfaces towards the end makes one wonder if this angle should have been brought a little earlier.
It is this disproportionate mixing of plots forming the screenplay where The Tender Bar loses the grip. It sets into a meandering path after a point despite promising writing.
Having said all that, the whole thing still ends on a good note. The climax is okay, but it sure makes one understand the growing up point.
Overall, The Tender Bar is a coming of age drama that is part lively and part boring. It makes for a passable watch, in the end. Give it a try if you like simple and heartwarming drama even if they take predictable routines and drag a bit.
Other Artists?
The Tender Bar has limited characters, but they are neatly etched. It is why we remember even a small role that of an editor of a paper. Well, coming to the technical lead, it is Tye Sheridan as JR. He is good as grown-up JR. The emotions mostly relate to love, aspiration, confusion and disappointment. They are all adequately displayed.
Lily Rabe as the mother is another compelling act without any melodrama. It is done with a lot of restraint. Christopher Lloyd, playing the grandfather gets a scene to stand out, but otherwise, he is a good casting choice that adds to the overall world.
Music and Other Departments?
Dara Taylor’s music is lovely and adds to the period feel the movie is set in. Additionally, the choice of classic soundtracks is excellent. The cinematography by Martin Ruhe is neat whereas the editing by Tanya M Swerling is adequate. The writing is superb and is the main reason for interest in the narrative besides the casting.
Highlights?
Casting
Writing
Undercurrent Life Lessons
Drawbacks?
Drags In Parts
Predictable Story
Meandering Proceedings
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes, In Parts
Will You Recommend It?
Yes, But With Reservations
The Tender Bar Review by Binged Bureau
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