Friday Matinee: Tender Mercies

August: Great performances: Robert Duvall

August 14 – Tender Mercies [1983]: PG, 93m

Down-on-his-luck country singer Mac Sledge (Robert Duvall) has nowhere to turn when he wakes up in a motel, short on cash. So he takes a job from Rosa Lee (Tess Harper), the kindly widow who runs the place. Mac begins to fall for Rosa, who helps him confront his drinking, and also finds an unexpected bond with Rosa's young son (Allan Hubbard). When the opportunity for a career comeback surfaces, Mac must choose between his new life and the life he let slip through his hands.

August 21 – Network [1976]: R, 121m

August 28 – The Apostle [1997]: PG, 134m