By: Alex Phuong (A Toast) –
“Tender mercies” is a prevalent phrase in the Book of Psalms in the Bible. One of the main ideas within Christian theology is the notion of forgiveness. Sometimes letting go of the past is difficult, but a universal fact is that time keeps on ticking. Life can be hard, but only the ones willing to continue living choose to cope with adversity. Films oftentimes help audiences understand what it means to be alive, and one of the best examples is Tender Mercies.
A Toast!
This film features what is perhaps Robert Duvall’s best performance (as of 2020). He won the Oscar for his leading role as Mac Sledge. He even did his own singing! Tender Mercies also contains one of the best songs ever written–the Oscar-nominated classic “Over You.” The main idea of that song is very similar to “Let It Go” from Frozen (2013) because they both deal with freeing oneself from the pain of the past. The screenplay is also very original, especially since Horton Foote won his first Oscar for adapting Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. It is very unfortunate that Horton Foote passed away the same year as the release of Crazy Heart (2009), a film very similar to this one, but at least Robert Duvall appeared and helped produce both films.
Verdict
Tender Mercies serves as a powerful reminder that second chances do exist, but only for the ones willing to take them.
Tender Mercies (1983) Bonus Drinking Game
Take a Drink: every time Mac Sledge fights for respect from others as well as himself
Be Careful When Drinking: because Mac also attempts to drown his own sorrows away with alcohol
And Cheers: for the fundamental fact that it really is possible to “let it go”!
