Emotional, engaging drama.
An alcoholic drifter, Mac Sledge (played by Robert Duvall), finds himself in a small Texas town. He gets a job doing handyman work for Rosa Lee (Tess Harper), a widow with a 10-year old son. Over time, a relationship develops between Mac and Rosa Lee and they get married. In due course it is revealed that Mac was a famous country singer with an equally-famous country singing wife, but alcohol ended their marriage and his career. After trying to turn his back on his former life, Mac now tries to reconcile his old life with his new.
Interesting story, with a large emotional content. It doesn't grab you immediately - the setup is quite dry and fairly uneventful - but the movie develops well. Once it builds up a decent degree of momentum it is quite engaging.
Was heading for a very profound conclusion but ends a bit abruptly. Sort of eases out, rather than goes out with a bang. Ending is still quite emotional, but could have been better. A more elaborate and developed conclusion was in order.
Superb performance by Robert Duvall in the lead role (but that is pretty much a given). Flawed, sensitive heroes with large amounts of baggage are his specialty and here he pulls out all the stops. He well deserved his Best Actor Oscar. Surprisingly, considering his incredible talent and some of the amazing performances he has delivered, this was to be his only Oscar win, though he was nominated six other times.
Good support from Tess Harper. Ellen Barkin, in one of her earliest feature film roles, puts in a solid performance as Mac's daughter.
An alcoholic drifter, Mac Sledge (played by Robert Duvall), finds himself in a small Texas town. He gets a job doing handyman work for Rosa Lee (Tess Harper), a widow with a 10-year old son. Over time, a relationship develops between Mac and Rosa Lee and they get married. In due course it is revealed that Mac was a famous country singer with an equally-famous country singing wife, but alcohol ended their marriage and his career. After trying to turn his back on his former life, Mac now tries to reconcile his old life with his new.
Interesting story, with a large emotional content. It doesn't grab you immediately - the setup is quite dry and fairly uneventful - but the movie develops well. Once it builds up a decent degree of momentum it is quite engaging.
Was heading for a very profound conclusion but ends a bit abruptly. Sort of eases out, rather than goes out with a bang. Ending is still quite emotional, but could have been better. A more elaborate and developed conclusion was in order.
Superb performance by Robert Duvall in the lead role (but that is pretty much a given). Flawed, sensitive heroes with large amounts of baggage are his specialty and here he pulls out all the stops. He well deserved his Best Actor Oscar. Surprisingly, considering his incredible talent and some of the amazing performances he has delivered, this was to be his only Oscar win, though he was nominated six other times.
Good support from Tess Harper. Ellen Barkin, in one of her earliest feature film roles, puts in a solid performance as Mac's daughter.